LOCAL PRESS

UNMIK Chief welcomes lifting of roadblocks (Beta)

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and UNMIK chief Caroline Ziadeh said on Thursday that she welcomed the removal of roadblocks and all steps toward a de-escalation in the north of Kosovo, the UN mission has stated. The statement quoted Ziadeh as saying that she recognized “the painstaking efforts” of all parties, including international partners, to ensure “the safety of the people of Kosovo across all communities”. “Ziadeh stresses the importance of upholding commitments and resuming talks to fully address outstanding issues and normalize relations without delay,” the statement reads. The statement further reads that Ziadeh expressed “appreciation for the steadfast resolve of international partners to foster dialogue in their pursuit of security and stability”.

Removal of barricades begins in north of Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS)

A removal of barricades in the north of Kosovo and Metohija has begun and is expected to be completed by the evening, a Tanjug correspondent on the ground reports. Barricades at Rudare and Ibarska Slatina are also being removed. Residents are still gathered on the sites and are waiting for the barricades to be removed before they can leave. The Brnjak and Jarinje administrative crossings remain closed, while the Merdare crossing is open to traffic following a removal of barricades in the morning.

Serbian Army is no longer on highest level of combat alert (Tanjug)

The decision to put the Serbian Army on an increased level of readiness has been cancelled by President and Commander-in-Chief Aleksandar Vucic, the Presidency has confirmed for Tanjug.

Dacic: Germany’s position on Kosovo different to others (TV B92)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told TV B92 that Germany’s position on Kosovo differs to the views of the rest of the international community. He said that the entire international community with the exception of Germany see that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti is the main cause of all problems in northern Kosovo and in relations between Belgrade and Pristina. “Not counting Germany, I think everything is clear to everyone else. Germany would not believe even if it saw things with its own eyes,” he said and added that Berlin’s attitude towards the region is a cliché. Dacic claimed to have been told by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock that no Kosovo prime minster would form the Community of Serb Municipalities. He added that he was told by international officials that a comprehensive Belgrade-Pristina agreement will be hard to achieve as long as Kurti is prime minister.

Gratitude to Romania for principled position regarding preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and special representative for the Western Balkans of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania Ambassador Adrian Davidoiu expressed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations between the two countries and stated that those relations are characterised by traditional friendship, closeness and cooperation. Dacic expressed his gratitude to Romania for its principled position regarding the preservation of Serbia’s territorial integrity, support for our country’s positions regarding the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the continuous support that Romania provides to us in the process of European integration. Davidoiu informed Dacic about the readiness to strengthen the institutional and economic prerequisites for the accelerated accession of the countries of the Western Balkans to the EU. During the talks, it was particularly pointed out that there is significant room for improving economic cooperation.

Lajcak: Tensions in Kosovo remain high, level of mistrust higher than ever (Politico/FoNet)

I believe the problem has been solved, but tensions remain high and the level of mistrust is higher than ever before, EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and Western Balkans issues Miroslav Lajcak told the Politico portal commenting on the decision to remove the barricades in north Kosovo. “What is really important now is to not allow the situation to backslide into another crisis, and it is important for the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to start creating an atmosphere conducive to productive discussions on normalization of relations,” added Lajcak, who is working with the US and NATO on the diplomatic efforts. Even though Serbia is removing the barricades, doubts are growing that an EU-facilitated agreement between the two countries will get finalized before a tentative March 2023 deadline, reported Politico. Lajcak insists that the diplomatic efforts will not cease, saying the March deadline is meant to relay the seriousness of reaching a deal. The international community is feeling an increased urgency to resolve the issue given how Russia’s war is raging nearby and that the Kremlin has long sought to lure the Balkans away from the EU, Politico reported.

Borrell: Diplomacy prevailed in de-escalating Kosovo tensions (Tanjug)

EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday diplomacy had prevailed in de-escalating tensions in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. “Diplomacy prevailed in de-escalating tensions in north Kosovo. Violence can never be a solution,” Borrell wrote in a Twitter post, welcoming the “responsible leadership of President Vucic and PM Kurti“. “Great EU, US and NATO-KFOR teamwork. Thanks to all involved! We now need urgent progress in the Dialogue,” he added.

Nedeljkovic: I don’t hate anyone, I only love and respect my country (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received Nikola Nedeljkovic, who was released after spending six months in prison in Pristina. Vucic received Nedeljkovic in the Secretary General Building. “They wanted to break a young man just because he was a Serb, we tried to help with those who never wanted to talk. It’s important that you remained calm”. “We learned what family you come from, when I saw your family hugging you yesterday, I was overjoyed, my heart was in place”, the President points out. “Thank you once again for being so courageous and calm, making your people proud”, Vucic concluded. Nikola thanked Serbia, the President and the people for showing support to him. “I don’t hate anyone, I only love and respect my country,” Nikola said.

Dveri: Authorities use Kosovo Serbs as bargaining chips (Beta/Politika)

Serbian Movement Dveri (Doors) stated on Thursday that, after President Aleksandar Vucic‘s call for the lifting of barricades, it was quite apparent that the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija only served the current authorities as bargaining chips in dealings with Albin Kurti and the European Union. Besides, Dveri stated, “the regime is manipulating the facts pertaining to the arrested Serb Dejan Pantic and his so-called release, because Pantic was not released, but moved from jail into house arrest, while the other two arrested Serbs were not even mentioned.” “Now, the EU and NATO speak about some new political agreement, so the question arises as to whether the next step would be to move onto the French-German proposal on the admission of the pretend state of Kosovo into the UN? If that is so, then we can expect the members of the Serb List to return to the separatist institutions of the pretend state of Kosovo,” the movement announced, adding that the authorities could launch media spins as much as they wished, about Serbia leading even 20:0 in negotiations, but that this would not change the completely different reality on the ground.

NDSS: Plea that Serbs remove barricades in northern Kosovo is wrong (Beta/Politika)

New Democratic Party of Serbia president Milos Jovanovic said on Thursday that asking Serbs from Kosovo to remove their barricades was wrong, as, he stressed, none of the conditions for removing them had been met. He said that removing the barricades had “bought time” for Serbia to finally decide what to do with the question of Kosovo and Metohija. “Either it will defend itself and its Kosovo and Metohija or the process of the territorial and national dissolution will continue until it de facto disappears,” he said. He added that Serbia’s measures should not be based on concessions to “its opponents and enemies”.

Opposition MP on Kosovo: Exercise badly played, we did what suits Kurti (N1)

This whole exercise was badly played, from beginning to end, our starting point was far from good and now we are two, three steps lower, opposition MP Vladeta Jankovic said commenting on the tensions raised in connection with the situation in Kosovo. Speaking for the N1 show New Day he said that, in the past 20 days, Serbia has been repeatedly watching the same performance “called the defense of Kosovo,” yet which he calls – a struggle to keep Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in power. Jankovic explained that the starting point was “a reckless decision to withdraw from Kosovo’s institutions”. “We left a void, the Albanian police who had arrested Pantic and some other people walked in, and barricades were erected as a consequence,” noted Jankovic, voicing his opinion that Serbia did what suits Kurti the most. When US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said it was “time to remove the barricades, as you can see, they are being removed,” said Jankovic. “Where are we know? We are two steps lower, we are not in the institutions, our police have left the police stations and the Albanians have come instead,” said Jankovic, stressing that Vucic’s policy on Kosovo is confusing, inconsistent and destructive. “The poor Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija decided to trust Vucic, and they fare worse every time,” said Jankovic, adding that Vucic is “doing his thing, and he has been cornered and there is nothing else he can do”. “I understand him, when he puts on an act, pretends to be desperate and not to be giving in to pressure, and he actually is, bit by bit, and the moment of truth is nearing,” said Jankovic. He stressed that the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo “has been another fiction since the signing of the Brussels agreement”, and that even back then the Kosovo Albanians had no intention of agreeing to it. Something will have to be formed, but that something will be far from the idea of autonomy, he added. Jankovic believes there will be no war in the conventional sense. “This does not rule out the possibility of isolated showdowns, armed skirmishes, maybe even war victims, but there will be no war operations with that nonsense with howitzers and the flying of MiGs. Simply because NATO is there and as long as NATO is there – war is out of the question,” said Jankovic.

REGIONAL PRESS

SNSD’s Mazalica says latest Law on Immovable Property of RS was attempt to implement B&H CC decision (Nezavisne)

Representative in the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament Srdjan Mazalica (SNSD) said that the state property issue is the most important issue for the RS. Mazalica added: “From initially labelled property from the agreement on succession and military property, thanks to activities of the Constitutional Court (CC), forests and agricultural land too were heinously included in this story. This same court concluded some twenty years ago that the RS has the right to decide on property relations – as the RS Constitution stipulates it – but several years ago it adopted conclusions opposite to the previous ones, which forced the RS to adopt a law one year ago very similar to the one that was adopted now”. Mazalica explained that the original law, which was suspended by Bosnia and Hercegovina (B&H) CC, stipulated that all property in the territory of the RS that was registered as the state property up until the war should be registered to the RS, municipalities and RS bodies and institutions. Mazalica added that the law adopted on Wednesday was motivated by the decision of B&H CC and intention to implement it although the RS has been acting in line with that law the entire time knowing that it registered primarily forests and agricultural land as its property, “i.e. everything that was not included in the law that was imposed by (former High Representative) Paddy Ashdown 17 years ago”. Mazalica also claimed that the RS in fact implements the decision of B&H CC through the adoption of the new law and noted “nothing will change just because it contains the provision stipulating that the law shall not be applied to immovable property which was registered to the former Socialist Republic of B&H until 1991”. Mazalica concluded by saying that it remains to be seen what was registered to the former Socialist Republic of B&H, “but this was mostly property that was by default treated as military property. Our Administration cannot register this property to the RS institutions and we recognize that by this law. Its destiny will be determined by subsequent agreements between the two entities and representatives of political parties”.

Bosniak representatives, RS opposition object RS Law on Immovable Property (ATV)

Adoption of the RS Law on Immovable Property by the RS parliament on Wednesday resumes to spark reactions. PDP representative in the RSNA Igor Crnadak said that the RS rightly needs to be concerned about this law. He said that it shows once again that the RS government led by SNSD talks loudly but as soon as the camera goes off, they go and make agreements that are generally harmful to the RS. Deputy speaker of the RS parliament Mirsad Duratovic said that the law on property is not within the jurisdiction of the RS parliament, nor the Federation of B&H parliament, which is why they voted against the agenda. Vice President of the RS Camil Durakovic openly opposed SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. Namely, Durakovic stated that no entity has a constitutional right to decide about the state property. He added that the law at the state level would permanently solve the issue of the state property. Durakovic deems there are two ways to achieve this: either by imposing the law by the High Representative or by a mutual internal agreement within B&H. Bosniak Caucus in the RS Council of Peoples (CoP) will call a session and initiate invoking of mechanism of protection of the Vital National Interest (VNI) in regards to abovementioned law. Head of this caucus Adil Osmanovic (SDA) expressed hope that they will get necessary support in the Bosniak Caucus to invoke VNI mechanism so that constitutionality of this law can be discussed by the RS CC.

Becirovic announces motion with B&H CC against RS law on immovable property; Stevadnic: RS parliament has capacity to respond to this (RTRS)

The RS law on immovable property used for the functioning of public authority adopted by the RS parliament on Wednesday causes criticism of political Sarajevo. Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic (SDP B&H) reminded that the state of B&H has exclusive competence to regulate all the issues related to property, and entities need to respect that. He stressed that RS President Milorad Dodik should know that the entities and other lower levels of authority can use the property they need to execute their individual competences, to the extent to which they would be authorized by law passed by B&H Parliament. Becirovic announced that he will file a motion with B&H CC on the RS law on immovable property. RS parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic said that Becirovic’s announcement that he will file a motion with B&H CC on the RS law on immovable property is not worrisome for the RS because the RS parliament has capacity to respond, and it will be holding sessions on this issue every two weeks if needed in order to prove that the RS is persistent and that there is no chance that the High Representative, B&H CC or anyone else usurps the RS’ property ownership. “Dodik should stop making meaningless statements in which he says that he will not share property with B&H, because he cannot share what is not his. The state of B&H and state property are sacred and cannot be subject to any political trade”, Becirovic emphasized in his statement.

Komsic to file motion with B&H CC due to RS law on immovable property (O Kanal)

The RS law on immovable property used for the functioning of public authority was adopted by the RS parliament on Wednesday. Due to this, B&H Presidency member Zeljko Komsic announced submitting of motion with the Constitutional Court of B&H.

Niksic: Adoption of RS law on immovable property is against principle defined within coalition agreement (RTRS)

The RS law on immovable property used for the functioning of public authority adopted by the RS parliament on Wednesday causes criticism of political Sarajevo. SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic stated that the adoption of the RS law on immovable property is against the principle defined within the coalition agreement on the authority formation signed between SNSD, HDZ B&H and the parties gathered around ‘The Eight’. Niksic said that the abovementioned issue should be solved in the parliament of B&H, and that he attempted to relativize entire problem. Namely, he stated that “registering of some field as someone property” is not useful if there are no people in B&H, adding that thanks to previous policies of disputes and lack of cooperation, all citizens have been leaving B&H. SDA’s MP in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Safet Keso commented Niksic’s statement and underlined that it represents unacceptable trivializing of an important topic. “State without state property would not be possible”, underlined Keso. According to Niksic, there is absolutely no doubt about the issue of the state property and there is no room for metaphors whatsoever. Niksic stressed that the state property located in both entities and Brcko District belong to B&H and all of its citizens and those who are allegedly fighting for the state property have no problem usurping and privatizing public companies. Previously, Niksic said that RS President Milorad Dodik’s actions and statements are not in line with the agreement signed by SNSD, ‘The Eight’ and HDZ B&H but Niksic did not indicate the possibility of ‘The Eight’ leaving the coalition. Niksic also vowed that ‘The Eight’ is not willing to reach any compromise or make concessions regarding the state property. The reporter noted that the final decision about the state property will most likely have to be made by the B&H CC. Niksic said “we did not agree on this”, while Dodik said that he will remain faithful to the principles of the signed agreement. “I sincerely hope that what we signed, and what we promised we will do, that we will implement that. Of course, in recent times, what Mister Dodik is doing and saying, it is contrary to that agreement, and we are not even considering making some compromises or concessions for him when it comes to the state of B&H. Institutions of the state of B&H must decide on the property of B&H, on the property of the state of B&H”, Niksic emphasized.

Zvizdic: B&H is titleholder of state property, lower-level parliaments cannot decide about it (O Kanal)

Speaker of B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Denis Zvizdic (NiP), asked about how the Eight coalition will oppose unconstitutional the RS Law on Immovable Property the RS parliament adopted on Wednesday, said it will be done legally and institutionally. Zvizdic added that everyone in B&H needs to respect the Constitution of B&H, existing laws, and norms international law as well as to follow good practices from the region and the EU. He went on to saying that state of B&H is titleholder of state property, adding that method of managing of this property can be defined by adoption of law in the parliament of B&H. Chair of B&H HoR stressed that lower-level parliaments do not have any competences in this regard. Zvizdic emphasized that state property is expression of integrity and sovereignty of B&H, adding that this issue is red line that cannot be crossed. “There will no compromise and political trade concerning this issue, for as long as it concerns the Eight or NiP, we are very clear in this regard and will act in line with the Constitution, decisions of B&H Constitutional Court (CC) and all other acts talking about state as sole titleholder of state property”, explained Zvizdic. Asked how adoption of the Law on Immovable Property by the RS parliament will affect coalition at state level in context of statement of leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik that if anyone does not like acting of the RS parliament they should not have any type of cooperation with SNSD-led coalition, Zvizdic stated that abovementioned acts of the RS parliament are unconstitutional, adding that the RS parliament cannot pass any acts concerning state property. Speaker of B&H HoR went on to saying that High Representative can and should react, because decision of the RS parliament is in opposition to laws, including those imposed by High Representatives and in opposition to rulings of B&H CC. He went on to saying that different political subjects can have different interpretations of the Constitution, adding that only official interpreter is B&H CC and this court already said what state property is. “Our response is that if someone does not like it, it is their problem”, said Zvizdic. He stressed that state property will remain permanent property of state of B&H. Asked whether abovementioned developments will affect further formation of new convocation of B&H Council of Ministers (CoM), Zvizdic stated that the Eight did not become part of state authorities to get seats and positions, adding that their goal is to end blockades registered in previous period, enable progress and development of B&H in all key directions and segments such as EU and NATO integration, economic development, strengthening of rule of law, systemic combat against corruption, reforms in education and other sectors. Speaker of B&H HoR emphasized that a lot of challenges are ahead of B&H authorities, adding that these challenges need to be faced successfully to convey message to investors that B&H is area where they can fulfil their business ambitions. Zvizdic said that everyone in B&H should focus to topics of key importance for citizens of B&H. Asked about criticism of agreement the Eight signed with HDZ B&H and SNSD on formation of authorities at state level, i.e. that this agreement is favorable for SNSD and HDZ B&H, Zvizdic stated that no item of the agreement is favorable for any side, but is focused to progress and development of B&H. He added that it is unusual to hear such criticism from those who were key actors of legislative and executive authorities for two decades. Speaker of B&H HoR emphasized that if these political subjects solved some problems current authorities would not have to deal with so many challenges. He reminded that previous authorities failed to fulfil promises on construction of motorway and new energy producing facilities. “Interests of B&H and Bosniaks will be better protected than in previous mandate”, explained Zvizdic. Commenting formation of authorities at the FB&H level, Zvizdic said that negotiations on formation of new the FB&H authorities are going well, adding that new authorities should be formed on ground of principles of parliamentary democracy, same as in other countries. He explained that authorities should be formed by those who have coalition capacity for it. Zvizdic stressed that the Eight and HDZ B&H have majority in the FB&H House of Peoples (HoP) and the FB&H House of Representatives (HoR). “Every possible blockade of formation of authorities, will be detrimental for those making blockades”, concluded Zvizdic.

OHR: Acting contrary to decisions of Constitutional Court must be interpreted as violation of General Framework Agreement for Peace (Hayat)

The RS parliament’s adoption of the Law on Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authority, which took place at a session in Banja Luka on Wednesday, sparked a series of reactions. According to the relevant decisions of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, only the state of B&H, as the holder of state property, can regulate the issue of state property with appropriate laws adopted by the B&H parliament, the OHR said on Thursday. “The B&H Constitutional Court has repeatedly confirmed that the issue of state property cannot be resolved by unilateral measures. Unilateral steps are unacceptable. They threaten the rule of law, undermine legal certainty and prevent a safe business and investment environment. Acting contrary to the clear decisions of the Constitutional Court, which were made within the framework of its constitutional powers, must be interpreted as a violation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace”, reads the OHR’s statement. The OHR noted that High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt called on all responsible decision makers and mandate holders to work together, respect the rule of law and act constructively to the benefit of all citizens of B&H. The OHR reminded that state property can only be disposed of by the state of B&H. “Any disposition that is contrary to the provisions of that ban will be considered null and void,” the OHR underlined.

Reactions of the international community to the RS parliament’s adoption of the Law on Immovable Property (FTV/Hayat)

The RS parliament’s adoption of the Law on Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authority sparked a series of reactions. The EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H also reacted and underlined importance of a role of the B&H Constitutional Court (CC). It was stated from the EUD to B&H that the Constitution of B&H and relevant rulings of the B&H CC are clear, adding the RS has to respect the Constitution and decisions of B&H institutions, including final and mandatory rulings of B&H CC. They called on newly elected authorities to abstain from activities that are in opposition to rulings of B&H CC. “The Constitution of B&H and the relevant decisions of the B&H Constitutional Court are clear: B&H is the titleholder of state property and the competence to regulate it falls within the exclusive responsibility of state-level institutions. The RS parliament’s adoption yesterday evening of yet another Law on Immoveable Property does not change basic legal facts”, US Embassy tweeted. “Article 3 of the B&H Constitution is also clear: The RS must ‘comply fully’ with the Constitution and with the decisions of the institutions of B&H, including the final and binding rulings of the B&H Constitutional Court, whether RS authorities like them or not”, the Embassy underscored. Commenting the issue of the RS law on immovable property, which was adopted in the RS National Assembly couple of days ago, UK Embassy to B&H presented a stance similar to the stance of US Embassy. “Political leaders in B&H need to find a fair and sustainable solution for the issue of using and ownership over state and immovable property. In line with the statement of the Constitutional Court of B&H from 2012, this demands a state level law,” reads the statement of the UK Embassy.

RS ruling coalition decides on new members of B&H Council of Ministers (ATV/Srpskainfo.com)

The RS ruling coalition determined the members of the new convocation of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). According to the portal Srpskainfo.com, DNS leader Nenad Nesic will be the new B&H Minister of Security and SNSD’s Denis Sulic will be the new B&H Minister for Refugees and Human Rights. In an agreement with partners from the FB&H, it was agreed that the position of B&H Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations will belong to one of the members of DEMOS. The B&H Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs will be from the United Srpska, while the position of the B&H Deputy Minister of Defense should belong to a member of SNSD. It was published earlier that the B&H Minister of Finance and Treasury will be SNSD’s Zoran Tegeltija, while Stasa Kosarac will remain as B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations.

SNSD’s Vulic: It is realistic to expect that B&H CoM will be formed by the end of January (ATV)

SNSD representative in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sanja Vulic was a guest of ATV. The reporter noted that the Chairperson of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Borjana Kristo said that she expects the formation of the new convocation of B&H CoM to be finished by the end of January 2023. Vulic said that it is realistic to expect that B&H CoM will be formed by the end of January, bearing in mind that Kristo received support from everyone for the position of Chairperson of B&H CoM. When it comes to candidates for members of B&H CoM, Vulic pointed out that it is currently known that leader of the People and Justice (NiP) Elmedin Konakovic will be the B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs. Vulic added that HDZ B&H is a bit secretive on this issue, and as for SNSD, it is certain that Zoran Tegeltija will get the B&H Ministry of Finance and Treasury. When asked whether she expects that projects significant to RS will be realized Vulic said that she does. Vulic stated: “The most positive thing about the new team – SNSD, HDZ and ‘The Eight’, is the positive energy that is directed towards the development of the entities and the Brcko District, where our main goal is to avoid the policy implemented by the SDA, i.e. ethnic rhetoric and raising ethnic tensions”. Vulic said that SDA was always in connection with the RS opposition that helped them in their lack of work, and the only thing they did was to complain to the international community (IC) how SNSD is blocking, etc. Vulic said that everyone now has an opportunity to see that SNSD is not blocking and that they we wish well for all citizens in B&H while pointing out that the RS is their priority. They do not bother others and they preserve what is theirs, said Vulic. She added that they do not stand in the way of anyone’s development. Vulic stated that SDA was always the one who is blocking and they are even now trying to stand in their way. Commenting on the coalition between SNSD, HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’, Vulic said: “The good thing is that we are honest with each other, we all want the development of our entities and wish well for our citizens, and I see no reason for us to get into conflicts, nor to deal with empty stories, which the SDA has constantly done. All these insinuations and their announcements show you how much the SDA is crying out for power. They are actually trying to shake ‘The Eight’, they are provoking them non-stop”. Vulic says that SDA wants there to be an incident when it comes to marking of the January 9, so that they can say that this is the result of ‘The Eight’ in power. Vulic said that she believes that ‘The Eight’ will not fall for SDA’s provocations and will remain steadfast in their agreement with SNSD and HDZ B&H.

Vukovar city statute changed to abolish bilingualism (Hina)

The Vukovar City Council on Thursday decided by a majority vote to change the city statute to remove the provision enabling the official use of the Serbian language and Cyrillic script in that eastern Croatian city. The decision abolished the statutory decision on the equal official use of the language and script of the Serb ethnic minority in Vukovar, under which its members had the right to freely use the Serbian language and Cyrillic script in social and public life and in official communication on public affairs from within the remit of local government. The City Council said the decision was based on the official results of the 2021 census, which showed that the share of Serbs in the city’s population is 29.73 percent, which is less than one third of the total population, meaning that they do not have the right to the official use of their language and script in Vukovar. In a comment on the decision, the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Serbs and Vukovar City Council member Srdjan Milakovic said that this was “a present to the Vukovar Serbs at the end of the year from the political leadership headed by Mayor (Ivan) Penava”. “This puts an end to the ten-year-long violence against the Cyrillic script and Serbian language during which various state bodies did their best to ensure that the Serb community never gets to exercise this right. The 2021 census was awaited as a solution in the hope that there would be fewer Serbs in Vukovar. Even though the census showed that the share of the Serb community in the city’s population is close to 30 ercent, it never crossed anyone’s mind to keep that right of the Serb community in Vukovar,” Milakovic said. He concluded that the abolition of the Serb community’s right to bilingualism in Vukovar is one of the many messages to the community from politicians and institutions in Croatia showing that its rights under the law “are granted sparingly and on a case-to-case basis” and that “there is no legal protection for them before Croatian institutions”.

Djurovic proclaims Lekic a PM-designate: I won’t spare myself; it isn’t excluded that I’ll give up if there’s trade (CdM)

Yesteday, parliament speaker Danijela Djurovic has proclaimed the candidate of the parliamentary majority – the DEMOS leader Miodrag Lekic, a PM-designate for the composition of the new government. “The parliament states that the President of Montenegro did not propose a PM-designate for the composition of the 44th Government after the vote of no confidence in the government, nor after the amendments to the Law on the President came into force. I state that Miodrag Lekic is the PM-designate for the composition of the 44th government with the support of 41 MPs”, said Djurovic at the parliamentary session. “This is not my personal battle, but a common one”, said Lekic. He still believes that Milo Djukanovic violated the Constitution and that he did not want to respect the Law and declare a PM-designate. “That would make the state more serious. The parliament has the right to form governments. This law helped us carry that out and we stand by the fact that Djukanovic violated the Constitution”, said Lekic. “We have serious work ahead of us and we must try to reach a consensus. In that sense, I don’t think I will have fun New Year’s holidays, but I don’t regret it”, said Lekic. “If I become PM, I will spare no effort that I have left to do what we should have done two years ago,” said Lekic. He says, he extends his hand to the opposition as well. “If they have examples and useful suggestions, I expect them and they will be treated with dignity,” Lekic pointed out.

Mandic: Agreement on government formation by 19 January, presidential elections announcement by 20 January (CdM)

The agreement on the formation of the government is to be completed by 19 January, and the presidential elections will be called on 20 January, announced one of the DF leaders Andrija Mandic. “The President of Montenegro did not want to consult with the representatives of the parliamentary majority, citing the same reasons as before the formal submission of signatures. We did not want to take away the constitutional powers of the President, but rather that he, through consultation with the majority, entrust the mandate to Miodrag Lekic. I believe that the new government will be formed by 19 January, and presidential elections will be announced on 20 January”, Mandic has said at the press conference. He has emphasized that the public will be informed during the day about the moment when the position of their representative Miodrag Lekic will be formalized. According to Mandic, the leader of the Movement for Changes (PzP) Nebojsa Medojevic has great references to deal with the security sector, but Lekic is to be the prime minister-designate, so he will refine it with PzP. Mandic could not say which portfolios would belong to the Democratic Front in Lekic’s government, but he has emphasized that agreements on this matter are forthcoming.

Djukanovic to Mandic: Proposal for Lekic to be PM-designate has no basis in Constitution (CdM)

“I have no intention of disputing your claims about the majority support for your candidate Miodrag Lekic, but you, as well as I, know very well that that proposal has no basis in the Constitution of Montenegro, just like the previous time when it was proposed, it was not done within the constitutionally stipulated time”, says the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic in his response to one of the DF leaders Andrija Mandic who on 26 December invited him to schedule consultations with the representatives of the political parties of the parliamentary majority. “Thank you for your letter that you sent to me on behalf of the signatories of the petition on the 26th of this month. You, as well as the Montenegrin and international public, know my position on the unconstitutional Law on Amendments to the Law on the President, which I announced at the press conference on 16 December, as well as on other occasions. Also, you are well aware of the opinion of the Venice Commission, the European Union and other relevant international partners on the above-mentioned Law. Therefore, I have no intention of participating in the implementation of the law that is in contradiction with the Constitution of Montenegro”, says Djukanovic. He has also said that he has no intention of disputing Mandic’s claims about majority support Miodrag Lekic as candidate. Djukanovic has expressed his gratitude for the invitation to everyone to contribute through dialogue. He has said that he is open to “honest, principled, inclusive political dialogue on these issues”. “As always, I am open to honest, principled, inclusive and democratic standards-based political dialogue on these issues, respecting the order of priority issues that you stated in your letter, according to which priority would be given to the creation of the necessary consensus for the election by a qualified majority of the full composition of the Constitutional Court, the selection of members of the Judicial Council from among distinguished lawyers and the selection of the Supreme State Prosecutor”, Djukanovic has pointed out. In the end, Djukanovic has sent Mandic his hearty congratulations and “best wishes for the upcoming New Year and Christmas holidays”.

Mickoski: 2023 will be an election year (Republika)

It is irresponsible for this government to continue functioning and the dissatisfaction within the parliamentary groups of the parties that support this government is getting louder. Here, I am primarily thinking of DUI and SDSM, because they see how the state is sinking, going backward, no reforms, no results, incompetent criminal politicians lead that government, and encouraged by the signals I receive from the parliamentary groups of SDSM and DUI, I think that this year there will be 61 MPs who will dissolve this Parliament, we will go to early parliamentary elections and then a government will come that will be elected by the people, a people’s government, not elected by a narrow circle of people and a prime minister elected in a narrow circle of people, which will work for the interests of the people and the state, not personal interests or party interests. This is how the president of VMRO-DPMNE, Hristijan Mickoski, answered a journalist’s question about what is the basis of the optimism that early elections will take place next year. He also added that if the government believes what it says, that they are working well and that they are successful, the same should be checked in elections, so that the people have their say. Encouraged by these signals, I think we have a great chance this year, those two dates May 14 or 21 will be election dates and we’ll see. At the end of the day, if you really believe what the government of DUI and SDSM is saying, that they are working well, that they are really successful, we will be able to check that in elections, the people should say to themselves, the people are the sovereign of this country, not the officials of DUI supported by SDSM, stressed Mickoski.

Rama’s ironic message after removal of barricades (ADN)

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted regarding the situation in the north of Kosovo and the removal of the barricades. In a post on social media, Rama did not spare irony with the statements of the Serbian minister Ivica Dacic who said a day ago that the barricades were a way of peaceful protest. Rama declared that after 434 years the barricades took on a new meaning, adding that he hoped that the international allies would not have the same opinion. “Nothing new, the show lasted a little longer, the tension rose a little higher, the words were exchanged with a little more fire, the military manoeuvres had a little more flair, but the end was the same and everyone returned home, each with his own victory! Ah yes, something unheard of just happened! The new meaning of the barricade came out, which after 434 years entered the list of peaceful protest tools with the blessing of the EU and the USA! We hope for the understanding of our strategic allies to disagree on this point. Absolutely! The question remained the same as before these peaceful barricades of hostile declarations! And until the different answers start the same way from the past, the question will remain there even after the next show, when the barricades peacefully break the monotony of no solution!” Rama wrote.