LOCAL PRESS

Vucic from Norway: Serbs have had enough (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is visiting Norway, where he will speak with the highest officials today and tomorrow. In his address to the public, Vucic said that he had discussed important issues with the King of Norway and the Prime Minister. “You know that Norway diagnoses the situation better and more accurately than anyone on the ground and that it is someone who keeps the peace. Accordingly, we talked about Kosovo and Metohija, about the dialogue process itself. As usual, I did not shift the blame to the other side. There is no doubts that they will continue to monitor that process,” said Vucic. “I was received by the king for the first time, it’s not easy, many people ask for it, it’s not a frequent visit. I talked to the king longer than expected,” said Vucic. President of Serbia also spoke about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. “If Kurti says that the issue of status is over for him, I am grateful. For me, too, the issue of status is over. I rely on the Charter of the United Nations and Resolution 1244. I can only say that I do not have too much hope, but only fear of future events. Kurti hopes that the Western powers will force Serbia into recognizing Kosovo,” said Vucic. “The situation in the north, as for the Serbian people, is literally boiling over… The Serbs are fed up. Everyone is fed up. They mistreat and torture people. When you put everything together, you realize that it is a systematic persecution, people have souls, they say enough is enough. Kurti refers to everything that suits him, by no means adhering to what was signed in Brussels,” said Vucic. “Quint countries will always support the Albanians in Kosovo. It is their child, there are no great expectations from our side. As soon as someone else is under pressure, it is easy, but it is not easy. I am worried about the country, I am not worried about myself. It is ours to fight and protect our land,” said Vucic.

Norway important partner of Serbia in energy transition (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic met in Oslo yesterday with State Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy of the Kingdom of Norway Andreas Bjelland Eriksen and Director of the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate Kjetil Lund. Djedovic stated after the meeting that the government of Serbia is fully committed to the reform of the energy sector in order to have a stable, sustainable system and a healthier environment. The Minister said that experiences were exchanged at the meeting on how to sustainably plan investments in our energy sector and how to use our resources in the best and most efficient way. Our first goal, which we are working on with our Norwegian partners, is to stabilise the energy system in the next two years. In this sense, with enormous efforts, certain good results are already visible, Djedovic underlined. She estimated that Norway’s experience as an energy giant is valuable in the process of reforming our energy sector. Together with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the Minister discussed future cooperation with speaker of the Norwegian parliament Masud Gharahkhani, on which occasion she expressed her gratitude for his support to Serbia. She assessed that Norway is an important partner in the energy transition towards a sustainable, healthy and safe energy system that is a pillar of Serbia’s economy and the sustainable life of all citizens.

Albanian flag on Bujanovac municipal administration building (Beta/Bujanovacke)

Albanian flags have been flying since Monday morning on the Bujanovac municipal administration building, which is also the seat of the Albanian National Council (NSA), reported Bujanovacke.rs. Flags are displayed on the occasion of Flag Day, an Albanian national holiday. Bujanovac Mayor Nagip Arifi personally put up an Albanian flag on the balcony above the entrance to the municipal administration building. Just like last year, the displaying of the flag was welcomed by an applause by the councilors of the ruling ethnic Albanian majority in the Municipal Council and officials of the municipal administration. Next to the Albanian flag are the Serbian flag and that of the EU. There is no Serbian flag on the NSA building in downtown Bujanovac, but NSA leader Ragmi Mustafa has put up an Albanian flag. The police have been filing misdemeanor charges against Mustafa, employees and directors of public institutions for years, and they are being repeatedly fined for violating the Law on the Design and Use of the Coat-of-arms, Flag and Anthem of the Republic of Serbia. The Law says that, unless stipulated otherwise by an international agreement, a legal person that displays the coat-of-arms or flag of a foreign country in the Republic of Serbia without displaying Serbia’s the coat-of-arms, that is, flag, will be fined with 50,000 to 500,000 Dinar. Under the legislation on national minorities, communities are allowed to use national symbols but ones that are not identical to those of their home state. The ethnic Albanians are refusing to change a single detail in their national symbols, citing Serbia’s Constitution, which, according to their interpretation, guarantees them the use of their symbols.

REGIONAL PRESS

Varhelyi meets with members of B&H Presidency (N1)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi is paying an official visit to B&H only a week after he stated that he hopes that B&H will get the EU candidate status in December. Varhelyi met with members of the B&H Presidency in Sarajevo on Monday, but also with Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Zoran Tegeltija and his deputies. The main topic of these meetings was the European path of B&H and reforms that must be implemented in order to obtain the candidate status. Varhelyi said that it is evident that there is currently an accelerated path towards fulfilling the fourteen conditions of the European Commission. Varhelyi explained that in the last six weeks, Brussels noticed increased political will in B&H for the European prospects of B&H. Varhelyi said that elections in B&H were held on time, and that it is noticeable that one is working rapidly on the formation of the authorities in B&H. Varhelyi noticed that the B&H Presidency was inaugurated within the deadline, adding that the will of the B&H Presidency members to work on B&H’s European path is also noticeable. Varhelyi stressed that it seems to Brussels that things will be different now. Asked by journalists why he believes that, Varhelyi said that he does not know, but that both B&H and the EU must try to take advantage of this opportunity, because, as he said, this is an opportunity that the EU does not give twice. The main message of Varhelyi’s visit and meetings with the B&H officials was that the EU wants B&H as a part of its community, but that it has great expectations from B&H, i.e. from its political leaders. Varhelyi pointed out that he came to B&H to deliver good news to its citizens which is that the EU is open for B&H, but that it is now up to the political leaders in B&H to form the authorities at all levels as soon as possible and to form the B&H CoM which should pass the key reforms contained in the fourteen priorities. “Granting the candidate status is an offer for B&H. It is an offer for the people of B&H. We are doing this for the people of B&H. We are very transparent because our recommendation is very clear. We want the candidate status granted to B&H now. But this is also the recommendation that comes from our side with high expectations. The EU path is open but it requires your country to deliver,” Varhelyi emphasized. Chairwoman of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic said that B&H Presidency members understood the message from Brussels, but that it is no secret that there are different attitudes and opinions in B&H on certain very important issues and that the EU must show understanding for that. “We have understanding of what is happening in the EU today, we understand the burdens that accompany the EU, but we also want the EU to understand our specificities, our problems, the weight of our decisions, but also to value and appreciate the progress we intend to achieve on the path of the European integration, but also in general in the performance of our duties,” Cvijanovic said. B&H Presidency member Denis Becirovic, on the other hand, stated that political leaders in B&H and B&H must adapt to the EU, and the EU will not adapt to B&H. Becirovic stressed that there was stagnation in the last four years, but that this must change now. Becirovic pointed out that BiH does not have prospects without the EU. “Our message to EU representatives is that investing in the European future of B&H is a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united European Union based on common values. It is very important that we truly turn in the direction of the European integration, but also that politicians in B&H change their fundamental approach. The EU will not adapt to the standards and criteria of B&H. It is our obligation in B&H to adapt to the EU standards and criteria,” Becirovic underlined.

Tegeltija expects B&H will be granted the EU candidate status (FTV)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi met on Monday with Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) and his deputies after the meeting with the B&H Presidency. The B&H CoM issued a statement following this meeting. The statement contains the statement of Chairman of the B&H CoM Zoran Tegeltija from which it is visible that the current convocation of the B&H CoM will engage more to achieve some goals related to the EU path of B&H. The reporter commented that it is questionable whether the current convocation of the B&H CoM will have time to make concrete things in this regard. Tegeltija met Varhelyi in Sarajevo on Monday. Tegeltija said that he expects that the European Council will confirm in December granting the status of the EU because this would relax relations within B&H. According to officials, such decision would direct focus of all political actors to the EU path and necessary reforms. During the meeting, the officials said that the B&H CoM remains committed to the European integration and harmonization of policies and standards with the EU Acquis.

Varhelyi meets Cikotic and attends signing of agreement between B&H Ministry of Security and IOM (FTV)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi also met with B&H Minister of Security Selmo Cikotic in Sarajevo on Monday. He attended signing of an agreement between B&H Ministry of Security and the IOM. The reporter noted that B&H made significant progress in regards to management of migrations. Minister Cikotic stressed that this agreement is significant support to B&H agencies for enforcement of law, i.e. to security and intelligence structures that are engaged in the area of migrations. Chief of the IOM Mission to B&H Laura Lingarotti emphasized that this agreement is a segment of wider cooperation with B&H Ministry of Security, but also with B&H Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, Border Police of B&H and SIPA. She added that this represents inclusive management of migrations. Cikotic said that the situation regarding the migrant crisis has improved significantly in the last seven days but that work needs to be done to further improve the situation. Cikotic pointed out that the EU gave EUR 40 million of aid to B&H regarding migrations, which will be distributed over the next three years. The IOM will receive a part of these funds so that they can continue to actively fight against the migrant crisis in B&H. Cikotic emphasized that B&H is by far the most successful country in the region when it comes to returning migrants to their countries of origin. The readmission agreement with Pakistan was the basis and the first readmission was made precisely on the basis of that agreement, but also on the basis of bilateral agreements with Bangladesh and Morocco, said Cikotic. Cikotic said that they will continue to work on making such agreements with other countries as well. Varhelyi was quoted as saying: “The EU, for its part, provided a donation of equipment for border protection and surveillance, such as drones, thermal cameras, video surveillance systems, tracking vehicles, communication networks and other equipment. The third component that I am announcing today is a new pilot project worth EUR 0.5 million for B&H and IOM, in cooperation to support voluntary and forced readmissions”.

Opposition representatives from RS and SDP B&H do not reach agreement on voting for delegates in B&H HoP at meeting in Sarajevo (BHT1)

At the meeting held in Sarajevo on Monday, representatives of the opposition political parties from the RS, i.e. SDS, PDP and the ‘For Justice and Order’, and SDP B&H did not reach an agreement on voting for delegates in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) at the special session of the RS parliament scheduled for Thursday. BHT1 reports that, commenting on the meeting, participants said it was an open discussion, however nothing was agreed upon. The reporter notes that all options are still on the table and it remains uncertain who will two SDP B&H representatives support at the RS parliament special session. Addressing the media after the meeting, SDS acting leader Milan Milicevic said: “Whether the agreement will still be reached, it is easiest to say –  and that is the only truth – that will be known on Wednesday. I would like to say that there was no conditioning, there were no ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ offers on the table, i.e. there were no blackmails or conditions.” SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic said: “As for the ‘Movement of the State’, I am of view that we do not have the right to betray those people who gave their lives to the campaign there and achieved such election result, i.e. to disregard them completely and tell them they need to do it regardless of the consequences. Of course, we have consequences related to the state, authority formation, etc..” The reporter notes that, whilst they are fighting against SNSD taking full control over the B&H HoP, there is no option in which the opposition in the RS will support the ‘Movement for the State’ list. Addressing the media, PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said: “We, as the opposition, have 25 representatives in the RS parliament, the ‘Movement for the State’ has five and it is completely logical and rational that we expect people from the ‘Movement for the State’ to understand the situation they are in.” ‘For Justice and Order’ leader Nebojsa Vukanovic said: “We talked today with SDP and I think everything is clear to all of us, cards are laid on the table, the dice has been cast and the responsibility is with the people from the FB&H whether this country will take another direction.” The reporter reminds that it is speculated that the votes of the ‘Movement for the State’ may not be crucial in election of delegates, noting whether there are defectors in the opposition and who potential defectors are will be known after the voting on Thursday. At the same time, possibility that the opposition has two delegates in the B&H HoP may be crucial with respect to the coalition at the state level. Niksic said for the media: “HDZ B&H is leaning towards forming the authority with SNSD, but is not completely exclusive, and of course that the alternative would be – with these two delegates – that the authority could be formed, moreover because there would be necessary majority in the (B&H) House of Representatives, and there would not be much opportunity in the B&H HoP for blocking if all who formed the BiH Council of Ministers support uninterrupted flow.”

Dodik: It is important to have four delegates in B&H House of Peoples to protect interests of RS (BNTV)

SNSD and its leader Milorad Dodik are desperately fighting to get four out of five delegates in the Serb Caucus of the B&H House of Peoples (HoP), noted the presenter. Dodik said on Monday that it is for the benefit of the citizens of the RS. Dodik stated: “That is why it is important to have four (delegates), exclusively so that it would be possible there, in the best possible way, not to block as they present it, but if necessary to block as well, but to protect the interests of the RS in the best possible way. And I believe that we are doing this in the best possible way.” Dodik pointed out that newly elected RS MPs are being threatened and they are being called upon and encouraged by the US and the UK Ambassadors and “marginalized people from the region” all in order to deny SNSD the fourth out of a total of five Serb delegates in the B&H HoP and possibly push the winning coalition in the RS out of power at the B&H level. Regardless of such pressures, Dodik still believes that the electoral will of the citizens of RS will be fulfilled in full. Dodik who said the US Ambassador was walking throughout the RS and was interfering into internal matters, and that the British are threatening, encouraging and doing all sorts of things. Dodik also stated that SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic is calling on the RS opposition to form state level authorities together “which is mathematically possible, but functionally is not”. “Return us back to the Constitution of B&H because the RS does not want B&H that is against the Constitution. If you want B&H, get back to the Dayton agreement, which is what we clearly stated and there is no dilemma there”, said Dodik, adding that the RS does not want B&H created in the embassies of the US and the UK, which are countries that have always been against the RS and that have always undermined it to an extent that it should not exist.

RS Prime Minister-designate Viskovic meets with SP and DEMOS representatives within ongoing consultations on new RS government (BHT1)

RS Prime Minister-designate Radovan Viskovic met on Monday with SP and DEMOS representatives within ongoing consultations to discuss principles of future RS government. BHT1 reports that both SP and DEMOS said they expect three ministerial posts, but did not discuss concrete candidates or ministries with Viskovic. The reporter notes that both political parties justify they ‘great appetites’ with election results, and although SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has already announced there will be no room in a new government for ministers who already had mandates, SP leader Petar Djokic is of view that does not apply to him. Addressing the media after the meeting, Djokic said: “You heard that Mr. Dodik said one part of the government. Bear in mind that sentence. So, SP will assess who it will nominate. It is logical that SP can have three ministers in the government. It is absolutely logical based on the overall result and the number of votes we won.” It is speculated that Djokic will be reappointed as the RS Minister of Energy and Mining and that DEMOS leader Nedeljko Cubrilovic will be appointed the RS Minister of Communications and Transport. BHT1 reports that Cubrilovic said he does not favor a broad coalition, however DEMOS will not use pressures and blackmails. Addressing the media after the meeting, Cubrilovic said: “We have the same capacity in government. We achieved the best result in this coalition after SNSD. Do not forget that SP had three political entities participating in elections. Therefore, we have every right to expect what SP requests.”

Becirovic meets Ambassador Reilly: UK remains committed to supporting democracy, security and prosperity of B&H (Dnevni list)

Member of the Presidency of B&H Denis Becirovic received UK Ambassador to B&H Julian Reilly with whom he talked about reform and integration processes in B&H. It was stated during the meeting that the UK remains committed to supporting democracy, security and prosperity of B&H. During part of the meeting dedicated to the economic situation, Becirovic stressed the need for strengthening direct British investments in B&H. Two collocutors also spoke about several prepared agreements between the two countries and about possibility of easing the visa regime between the UK and B&H. They also concluded that the two countries have achieved good cooperation in area of defense, and that there is potential for deepening relations in that segment. Becirovic thanked Ambassador Reilly for his country’s big support to the Euro-Atlantic path of B&H, whilst Ambassador Reilly conveyed strong dedication of the UK to preserving stability in B&H.

Sarajevo and Kyiv sign agreement on establishing friendly relations (Avaz)

Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karic and representatives of Ukrainian City of Kyiv signed the agreement on establishing friendly relations during the Kyiv investment forum held in Brussels on Monday. According to the agreement, Sarajevo and Kyiv want to develop cooperation in areas of economy, culture, tourism, education and other areas, to the benefit of both sides. The agreement reads, among other issues, that they will together promote European values of democracy, freedom and rule of law with the aim of promoting co-existence in Europe. Two cities also committed to humanitarian assistance, as well as political and economic cooperation. Mayor Karic told the daily it was her honor and privilege to attend the Kyiv investment forum at the invitation of Mayors of Brussels and Kyiv.

Voting on Constitutional Court judges postponed to 12 December (CdM)

Voting on judges of the Constitutional Court has been postponed to 12 December. This was decided at the Collegium of the parliament speaker Danijela Djurovic, where the request of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) to postpone the second round of voting for judges of the Constitutional Court was discussed. Danijel Zivkovic, head of the DPS caucus, told this to journalists after the Collegium. “It was agreed that the vote should be postponed to 12 December, and that until then a dialogue should be given a chance to resolve the crisis. We will discuss the demands that we have set, which is the definition of the date of snap elections and the withdrawal of the Law on the President”, said Zivkovic to the journalists. According to him, state institutions cannot ensure the holding of local elections in Savnik, and we have correspondence between the police and the prosecutor’s office. “Today, it was concluded that the dialogue should be given a chance. Our demands are clear – snap elections and withdrawal of the Law on the President. Today we only talked about postponing the vote on Constitutional Court judges. We are committed to our demands. We are committed to non-institutional action and support for the We Are Numerous protests. I call on all citizens who do not agree with what is happening in Montenegro to come out en masse and join the We Are Numerous protest tonight”, he said. Zivkovic has stressed that the priority of everything is the organization of snap elections. “We cannot find a solution in Montenegro because we have instability. In order to get to the election, we have to determine the time of the election. When we do that and the Law on the President is withdrawn, we can talk about the treatment of candidates for judges of the Constitutional Court. Montenegro needs a stable political government that will take care of national interests. I think that the other side also understands that there is no solution until the snap elections are held. We must get out of the crisis and return Montenegro to the track of democratic processes. All deadlines to nominate a prime minister-designate have expired and the parliamentary majority has missed those deadlines. The moment the mandate of the parliament is shortened, snap elections are called. The bottom line is that there are subjects in the parliamentary majority who run away from elections. DPS does not think about the percentages in the elections, but about the national interests of Montenegro, and a stable government that would be formed after the elections”, concluded Zivkovic.

Radulovic: Latest EU enlargement strategy put an end to the Open Balkans concept (Pobjeda)

In an interview for Pobjeda daily, the President of the European Movement to Montenegro, Momcilo Radulovic, has assessed that the EU gave the “kiss of death” to the concept and practice of the Open Balkans (OB) with its new enlargement strategy, adding that the OB doesn’t contribute to the European integration, but rather preserves corruptive ties between the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, and Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama. “Therefore, if you advocate for the Open Balkan, you are either a part of corruptive processes which are under control of these two authoritarian leaders or you violate the Open Balkans concept for certain illegal and illegitimate political and economic activities. “When such an official document of the EU contains such an explicit instruction showing restraint upon an initiative which should allegedly contribute to the enlargement process, then it tells us that the initiative doesn’t have future and that it actually doesn’t contain genuine European values.” These negative assessments, he adds, are just the outcome of a series of remarks made by individuals, experts, organizations and EU officials over the past few years. On the EU’s suggestion to align national legislation with the Constitution in order to ensure the application of rule of law, Radulovic says that “this clear and explicit message primarily refers to the disputed President Law, which caused the major and latest blocking of institutions, but also on prosecutorial laws, as no one in the EU forgot about the unlawfulness in their adoption and content.”

Third WE ARE NUMEROUS protest message: We want elections, we don’t kiss chains or padlocks, Montenegro won’t join Serbian World (CdM)

Thousands of citizens gathered tonight in front of the parliament for the third protest of the WE ARE NUMEROUS movement. They demand the withdrawal of amendments to the Law on the President, the unblocking of the Constitutional Court, as well as urgent snap elections. The speakers said that Montenegro is not and will never be for sale. An unequivocal message was sent to the outgoing PM Dritan Abazovic – that the Open Balkans is pointless and will never happen, and that Montenegro will enter the EU, and not the phantom Serbian World. After a peaceful civil protest, a protest walk was held. “Citizens of all religions and nations gathered tonight. We do not have a reserve state. Our eternal home is Montenegro. Montenegro is not and will never be for sale. There will be even more of us to defend every inch of our Montenegro. We don’t kiss chains or padlocks!”, said DPS official, doctor Nermin Abdic. SDP MP Draginja Vuksanovic Stankovic said at tonight’s meeting that she will never subjugate Montenegro, and she also had a message for the outgoing PM Dritan Abazovic – the Open Balkans is pointless and will never happen”. Branislav Bane Nenezic, head of the SD Bar xecutive committee, speaking at the protest, said that everything that has happened since 30 August 2020 in Montenegro, in any other country, would be called by its real name. “The parliamentary majority was created without any electoral program that would bring improvement to Montenegro, it was forged with only one goal – to humiliate it as much as possible, to go back 30 years, to deviate from the European path and to question its survival”, he pointed out.

No discussion in history commission about defining MOC-OA status, says Kovachevski (Sitel/MIA)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Monday that the Macedonian-Bulgarian history commission doesn’t discuss defining the status of the MOC-OA at all, adding that what is valid is only when the commission has consensus. 4 “The history commission released a statement this morning explaining in detail the aspect from which it analyzes historical periods and the role of various institutions in those historical periods, also confirming that there is no discussion at all about the status of the church from any aspect. Therefore, I think that everyone who has been giving statements based on speculation over the past two days should refrain from doing so, and always wait for the official statements of the history commission. I believe that the statement of all the signed members of our history commission is very clear in that there is no defining of the status of the MOC-OA,” Kovachevski said in response to a reporter’s question. The Bulgarian side, he added, gives its own statements, but what is valid is only when the history commission, with all its 14 members, has a consensual position on any issue. Everything else, he pointed out, is statements that have no influence on the final result of the work of the history commission. “It works independently first of all, and that was the point – historians should deal with history, politicians should deal with politics. The only valid solution that the history commission can adopt is one that will be approved by all 14 members, seven from our side, seven from the Bulgarian side, with their signatures and be introduced on a reciprocal basis in both countries,” Kovachevski said in response to reporters’ questions on the reactions from the Bulgarian side. The PM said he was particularly proud it was during the mandate of his government that the MOC-OA was finally accepted in canonical unity with all other Orthodox churches, after long decades, due to policies of good neighborly relations and European integration.

Onyshchenko still holds Macedonian citizenship, Kovachevski says (Alsat-M/Sitel)

Interior Ministry must complete the investigation Proceedings to revoke the citizenship of the pro-Russian businessman, Onyshchenko is underway following the announcement of the government last week, which said that he presented false documents to obtain a citizenship. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski did not answer whether anyone will be held responsible for the case, apart from the persons already suspended by National Security Agency (NSA). He reiterated, saying it is not allowed to extract the information from the government session behind closed doors, where the Head of NSA, Viktor Dimovski, was reporting on the case. Kovachevski called upon the Interior Ministry to investigate as soon as possible how Viktor Dimovski’s report was transmitted by the Parliamentary Commission for the Supervision of the Work of NSA. “I want once again, as I did couple of days ago, to call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to finish as soon as possible the investigations into how it happened that the closed-door session of the Parliamentary Committee for the Oversight of the Security Services was broadcast live, so that they can continue and finish their work in the Parliament afterwards,” said Kovachevski. However, in a statement for TV Sitel, The Ukrainian controversial businessman Oleksandr Onyshchenko claimed that he never used fake documents when he applied for Macedonian citizenship. “The department for computer crime and digital forensics at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is taking measures to clear up the case,” said the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Earlier, parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi said that Dimovski’s report on the case of businessman Onyshchenko, who is placed in the US blacklist, will continue before the MPs after the Interior Ministry finds how the session was broadcast live on YouTube. Meanwhile, there is no answer as to what fake document Onyshchenko used to apply for citizenship and received four positive opinions. From what is known, seeking an opinion from NATO partners has been overlooked by NSA, reported Alsat-M.

110th anniversary of Independence, President Begaj gives a state reception (Radio Tirana)

Albanian President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, gave a state reception, on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the declaration of Independence of Albania. The head of state received high state authorities, representatives of the Diplomatic Body accredited in Tirana, representatives of political forces, religious communities, culture, art and media. In his speech, the president emphasized the young generation, which, according to him, needs to see a clear development perspective, functional democracy, space for their ideas and optimism to build their future here. “As the President of the Republic, in the interest of the nation and our future, I invite all political and institutional actors, civil society and the media, every Albanian, to dedicate ourselves to the vision for Albania of the next generation, the country designed to be a member in the European Union,” the head of state emphasized in his speech. “November the 28th, the date that unites, with thoughts and hearts, every Albanian and every friend of Albanians. This date is the embodiment of the sacrifice, blood and priceless contribution of our patriots and national heroes. The flag we honor today is our history itself; – history of the most sublime sacrifices to protect, at any cost and at any time, our homeland, language and national identity. Today we celebrate 110 years from the day when patriots and delegates from all Albanian territories, with national and historical responsibility, unanimously baptized the new Albanian state, the homeland we have today. They had different religions and backgrounds, but they all shared the same vision for Albania: the vision of a free, independent and democratic state. I share, those great Albanian men and families have our eternal respect and gratitude,” Begaj emphasized. According to the President, our road to building the state of law and functional democracy is a road of no return, as is our commitment to peace and dialogue. He emphasized that Albania is today a worthy member of the most successful alliance in history, NATO, with active participation in missions in support of peace and stability in the region and in the world. “Our country is equally well represented at the UN, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council and engaged in global forums. Albania has shown that it supports democratic values, good neighborliness and an open door for friends and people in need. Our country is proud of its friendship and strategic alliance with the US, the countries of the European Union, the UK and all friendly and allied countries in the world. We are grateful for their support!” he emphasized. According to him, the beginning of negotiations for membership in the European Union is a historic achievement, which recognizes the dedication of Albanian institutions over the years.

President Biden wishes Albania’s Independence Day (Radio Tirana)

US President Joe Biden through a message sent to President Bajram Begaj, congratulated Albania and the Albanian people on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the Flag Day. President Biden’s message, appraises among other things, bilateral cooperation in maintaining regional stability and strengthening global security. “This year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries – a partnership that has advanced bilateral prosperity, helped maintain regional stability and strengthened global security. As NATO allies, our countries have also worked together to keep the Alliance strong, prepared and determined. And in the face of Russia’s unjust and unprovoked war against Ukraine, we have worked together in the United Nations Security Council to support the Ukrainian people, holding Russia responsible for the aggression. Albania continues to be a humanitarian leader, providing temporary shelter to Afghans and other vulnerable groups,” said President Biden’s message. Further, Biden assures the US support on the way to EU membership. “The United States will continue to support Albania on its path to EU membership. As we begin the second century of our bilateral relationship, I look forward to deepening our partnership even further, including the fight against corruption and organized crime, strengthening energy security across Europe and strengthening cooperation on cyber security,” said the President Biden in his message.

Steinmeier: Albania and Germany are linked by a close partnership (Radio Tirana)

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier conveyed Germany’s congratulations to President Bajram Begaj on Albania’s National Day. Before his visit that will take place on Thursday and Friday in Tirana, Steinmeier says that Albania and Germany are connected by a close partnership, at the bilateral level and as NATO allied countries. “I am glad that through the start of membership talks this July, Albania has taken another historic step towards the European Union”, President Steinmeier emphasizes in the message published by the German Embassy in our country. He states that Germany will continue to actively support your country on this path as a friend and partner. “I wish you and your compatriots personal success and a future in peace, freedom and well-being”, concludes the message of the German President.

NATO congratulates Albania (Radio Tirana)

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization congratulates Albania on the 110th anniversary of Independence. In a post on Twitter, NATO has published a photo of the Albanian Armed Forces holding the red and black flag. “Join us in celebrating with our ally Albania on their Independence Day,” NATO tweeted.

Xhacka: Albania, a factor of stability (Radio Tirana)

Albanian Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhacka, participated in the meeting in Bucharest, organized by the Munich Security Conference and the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Minister Xhacka underlined Albania’s role as a factor of stability and promotion of regional cooperation. She emphasized that Albania has been for a long time a factor of stability and is a promoter of regional cooperation with a clear vision and strategy. According to her, the Western Balkans should stop being an area of concern and instead become a peaceful area, integrated into the EU with the support of the EU and the US.