LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Government’s first 100 days marked by four wholes (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

Commenting on her government’s 100 days in office, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday the period had been marked by four major wholes, as well as by constant provocations and attacks on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and difficult days for President Aleksandar Vucic. Speaking to reporters in Lebane, southern Serbia, where the government held a session to mark its 100 days in office, Brnabic said the first of the four wholes was the national budget. Noting that she knew some would say the budget was not the biggest success, she said Serbia’s further growth and development, living standards and the number of investments in the country depended on the budget. It is important what the budget is like and that it is development-minded in spite of all the challenges facing both us and the world, Brnabic said, noting that the Serbian budget ensured a growth of living standards and pensions. The second major whole is energy and the way we have confronted the global energy crisis, Brnabic said, noting that her government had dedicated a great deal of effort to that. “The third major whole is rule of law and the completion of the process of constitutional reforms, which we completed yesterday by passing a series of judicial laws. The fourth is the constant instability, the constant provocations and attacks on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and the difficult 100 days that were shouldered by President Aleksandar Vucic and definitely impacted the government’s work,” Brnabic said.

Vucic: Community of Municipalities first, then discussions about all else (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday his visits to Brussels could only be tourist trips until a Community of Serb Municipalities was established in Kosovo and Metohija. Vucic was speaking to reporters in Kursumlijska Banja, southern Serbia. When asked to comment on a statement by EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell, who said earlier in the day he would invite him and Pristina’s PM Albin Kurti to Brussels to push a “plan”, Vucic said: “I have seen his statement – they can push whatever they want but they must say what the point of that is. I have never avoided discussions about anything and about any issue, but a Community of Serb Municipalities must come before that,” Vucic said. “If you intend to invite me to Brussels to talk me into saying a Community of Serb Municipalities comes simultaneously with or after I do not know what, do not invite me. Invite me to come as a tourist, and I am not interested – I have been to Brussels 200 times,” Vucic said in a message to facilitators of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. “If you do invite me, (do so when you can) inform me that they (Pristina) have delivered on the Community of Serb Municipalities. Once they have delivered on that, I am coming to discuss everything else,” Vucic added. He said that Kurti’s statement that the 10 majority-Serb municipalities in Kosovo have a preferential position is “foolish and arrogant”. “He wants to identify the state-legal status of the Republika Srpska and what he calls the Republic of Kosovo. Vucic added that the statement by Kosovo Assembly speaker Glauk Konjufca that the ZSO would not be formed was honest. According to him, the authorities in Pristina have finally been honest in saying that they don’t plan to form the ZSO.

Vucic: Agreement reached with Dacic – the state is above other interests (Tanjug/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that during his conversation with the President of the Socialist Party of Serbia Ivica Dacic it was stressed that the state is more important than all personal relationships. “It is up to us to lead the state in a decent way, because the state is above of all personal, private and partisan interests, and we agreed that it will be like that in the next six months,” Vucic told reporters in Kursumlijska Banja, where he attended the opening of the reconstructed hotel Planinka. When asked about the message of the leader of the Oslobodjenje (“Liberation”) movement, Mladjan Djordjevic, that only Ivica Dacic could “put Vucic in Zabela (prison)” – the president of Serbia said, “when someone (like Djordjevic) wishes you the fate of Gaddafi, what can you expect”. When asked to comment on the statement of the US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill, that the situation in the Balkans is not so bad, and if people are disappointed – they should look at North Korea, Vucic said that the statement was taken out of context. “He didn’t that Serbia will be (like) North Korea, that was taken out of context,” he said. According to him, it is still possible that there is a “hidden message”. Vucic added that one can never fully expect a change in US policy. The President mentioned that he will continue to fight by working, as people could see in the Serbian parliament. Regarding the falsehoods expressed by the extreme right, he said, “If people like to listen to fairy tales and lies, I can’t change that.” “It is up to us to work, and you say what you want. This is a free country and everyone can say what they want, unfortunately,” he said.

Vucic: We highly appreciate Cuba’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic thanked Cuban Ambassador to Serbia Gustavo Trista del Todo on Friday for his exceptional personal efforts towards further strengthening of the traditional friendly ties between Serbia and Cuba. “We are proud of the 120 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries and we highly appreciate the principled stance of friendly Cuba on support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia,” Vucic wrote in a post on his Instagram profile. Vucic received a farewell visit from the Cuban Ambassador.

Serbia committed to continuing partnership cooperation with OSCE Mission (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke yesterday with the Ambassadors of the Quint at the OSCE Mission in Vienna, who are on a visit to Serbia as part of a regional tour to the Western Balkans. Brnabic thanked the Ambassadors for the visit and the support that the Mission provides for reforms in the area of the rule of law, protection of human and minority rights, and emphasised that the government of Serbia will remain committed to the continuation of reforms and regional cooperation. Sheemphasised that Belgrade is committed to dialogue with Pristina, that frozen conflict is not a solution and that she insists on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, the establishment of which was agreed upon in the Brussels agreement. Despite all the challenges, we continue to pursue a responsible policy that preserves the stability, peace and national interests of our country, and the issue of unconditional protection and ensuring the safety of members of the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija is equally important for Serbia, she stated. Also, Brnabic presented the current activities related to the adoption of a new set of judicial laws, and emphasised the importance of all activities and reforms that are being implemented to make our judiciary more efficient and in the best interest of citizens. She added that Serbia attaches great importance to the promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination, issues of media freedom and the safety of journalists. She underlined that Serbia appreciates and supports the work of the OSCE Mission in our country, with which it has a partnership based on mutual understanding, and expressed the expectation for the continuation of such relations. The Quint Ambassadors stated that the Western Balkans is an extremely important region for the OSCE, as well as for the governments of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and emphasised the importance of continuing to achieve concrete progress in the dialogue with Pristina with the support of the EU and the support of all five countries. The meeting in the government of Serbia was attended by Ambassadors of France Christine Fages, Germany Gessa Braeutigam, Italy Stefano Baldi, Great Britain Neil Bush and the United States Michael Carpenter.

Continuation of work with ODIHR on improving electoral conditions in Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke yesterday with Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Matteo Maccacci about cooperation and results within the framework of joint work on improving electoral conditions in Serbia during the previous government’s mandate. The officials agreed that the current method of work, established through the Working Group for Cooperation with the Organisation for European Security and Cooperation and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, for the purpose of coordination and monitoring of the implementation of recommendations for improving the electoral process in the Republic of Serbia, will be continued in the mandate of this government as well. The representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights wrapped up their visit to Serbia with a meeting with Brnabic.

Great importance of status neutrality of OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic spoke yesterday with the Ambassadors of the Quint countries at the OSCE Mission in Vienna about the security situation in Europe and Serbia’s European integration. Dacic pointed out that Serbia values good cooperation with the OSCE as one of the most important regional security platforms for dialogue, as well as its missions in Serbia. He particularly pointed out the importance of the status neutrality of the OSCE field mission in Kosovo and Metohija, whose mandate is to monitor respect for human rights, the rights of communities and the strengthening of democratic institutions. They also discussed the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, with a mutual assessment that it is necessary to preserve peace and reduce tensions, with a return to dialogue, which is in mutual interest. Dacic emphasised that respect and implementation of the agreements signed so far are important for Serbia. The officials exchanged opinions on the challenges that the OSCE is facing in the current geopolitical circumstances, as well as the possibilities for overcoming them.

Jeremic: Accepting Franco-German proposal is suicidal (Beta)

The president of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) and former president of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic said on Thursday that accepting the Franco-German plan for Kosovo and Metohija would be “political suicide for anyone in Serbia who would dare sign such an agreement”, because, in his words, that would practically mean the recognition of so-called Kosovo as an independent state. “I hope the current authorities in Belgrade have no intention, despite everything they are saying, of signing that agreement,” Jeremic said during a lecture titled “(Geo)politics of the Balkans: Revenge of History” at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna. According to a statement from CIRSD, the lecture has “provoked attacks by Albanian lobbyists” on social networks, who insulted him and demanded that a protest be sent to the Austrian government for allowing Jeremic and an Austrian state institution to “spread hatred, fake news and toxic nationalism”.

Botsan-Kharchenko: Final status of Kosovo after end of West-Russia conflict (Beta)

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko said on Thursday that Kosovo and Metohija’s final status would be defined “in different geopolitical conditions”, after the end of the “conflict with the West in Ukrainian territory” which “Russia will definitely win”. Botsan-Kharchenko told Beta in an interview that he understood that the Franco-German proposal for solving the question of Kosovo was unacceptable to Serbia, because it envisaged Serbia not opposing Kosovo becoming a member of all international organizations. “Unlike UN Resolution 1244, the Franco-German plan is not a basis for a long-term solution for the question of Kosovo and Metohija. This plan, like all of the plans before it, envisages unilateral concessions on Belgrade’s part, above all allowing Kosovo to become a member of all international institutions and the UN. The Franco-German plan essentially represents the international recognition of Kosovo. The West is openly insisting that Belgrade must acknowledge Kosovo’s independence,” Botsan-Kharchenko said. Asked to comment on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic‘s stance that he would participate in the process of implementing the Franco-German proposal, Botsan-Kharchenko said that he understood that Belgrade “is only ready” to continue talks on the basis of this proposal.

Serbian parliament adopts set of judiciary laws (Beta)

The Serbian parliament adopted laws on judges and prosecutors on Thursday as well as other judiciary laws required to amend the constitution. The laws were adopted at the last moment under the law which says they had to be passed exactly one year after the Bill on Constitutional Amendments took effect on 9 February 2022. Parliament adopted laws on the High Judiciary Council, Court and Judges, the High Council of Prosecutors and Public Prosecutors. MPs also passed amendments to the law on organizing and jurisdiction of state bodies to fight high-tech crime, law on jurisdiction in war crimes cases, on jurisdiction in combating organized crime, terrorism and corruption and amendments to the law on the Constitutional Court. Justice Minister Maja Popovic told MPs that the laws are intended to remove politics from the judiciary by moving the election of judges and prosecutors from parliament to the High Judiciary Council and High Council of Prosecutors. Opposition MPs said that the laws just alter the form of political interference with dubious criteria for election.

EU leaders called Belgrade and Pristina to implement all agreements (Beta)

On Thursday, at a summit in Brussels, the leaders of the EU member states adopted conclusions on negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, in which they call on both sides to unconditionally implement the agreements reached and to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the European plan to normalize relations. In its conclusions, the European Council calls on Belgrade and Pristina “to fully and unconditionally implement the obligations undertaken in the dialogue, including the agreements from 2013 and 2015 on the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities”. “The European Council welcomes the European proposal for establishing relations between Belgrade and Pristina on a new and sustainable basis, as a historic chance that the two sides should take advantage of in order to achieve a European perspective,” the conclusions state.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik on HR’s statement for NIN: Schmidt is lying about meeting me (ATV)

Christian Schmidt, in an interview for Belgrade’s NIN, boasted that politicians from Republika Srpska (RS) are contacting him to meet with him. Among them, claims Schmidt, is RS President Milorad Dodik. “There were moments in previous years when Milorad Dodik and I occasionally met. We have known each other for a long time. Two years ago, we spoke on the phone about my appointment, and then he offered to meet, but it seems that in the meantime his courage has left him”, Schmidt was quoted as saying. Dodik responded to this, saying Schmidt is lying and making things up. Dodik says Schmidt is “haunting me and trying to meet with me, but I do not want that”. Dodik says he met Schmidt only two times – one time being at a summer vacation, when Schmidt congratulated Dodik on his birthday. Dodik says he hosted Schmidt once as the agricultural minister, and that that meeting took place in Istocno Sarajevo. “The man is lying, he is constantly making things up, things that are not true”, Dodik stressed. He explains that moment that Schmidt is referring to is the time when he was supposed to be appointed (as the High Representative) and when he was about to arrive to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Dodik says Schmidt sent calls over an ambassador from Germany, seeking a meeting with Dodik, but Dodik refused the invitation. Dodik says that if Schmidt was fair, he would repeat what Dodik told him then – and that is that he should not come to B&H. “I have never agreed to meet with him in a position where he thinks he is a High Representative. He is constantly trying, behind some corner, to jump out somewhere to take a picture with me. That is the truth”, Dodik emphasized. Dodik reiterated that Schmidt has a problem with the 9 January celebration in the RS, as well as with the decoration that Dodik gave to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Schmidt said this is not wise behaviour, and that 9 January marking “burdens others”. Dodik replies that Germany leads a dangerous and anti-Serb policy in the Balkans, and Schmidt is in charge of implementing that policy. “We recognized that, we said we do not want that, and we do not want that. For us, Schmidt is zero, multiplied by zero”, Dodik said. Dodik argued that Germany is leading a dangerous and anti-Serb policy in the Balkans. Dodik said: “Germany infuriated thinking it can impose its policies. Germany is the one behind Albanians in Kosovo and it is against us here (in the RS). They are on the Muslim side here in B&H and Schmidt came to implement this policy just as judges from the Constitutional Court from Germany, who came to implement this policy. We recognized this and said that we do not want that.”

Kovacevic claims nobody from SNSD is contacting Schmidt (EuroBlic)

High Representative Christian Schmidt, whose legitimacy was disputed by RS, China and Russia, gave an interview to NIN in which he again claimed that he was contacted by people from RS, and he also claimed that there were moments over the past years when he and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik met occasionally. “We know each other for a long time. Two years ago, we spoke over the phone and he offered to meet me, but it seems as if courage left him in the meantime. Sometimes it is better not to talk and to simply let the situation unfold on its own. Sometimes people contact me or someone from my team, but they do not want their names to be mentioned in public and I respect that”, Schmidt said. The daily reminded that Schmidt presented similar claims in September 2021, in an interview to BN TV, when he said: “I will not tell you who contacted me. It seems to me that everything in this country that is supposed to be confidential somehow ends up in public”. In June 2022, Schmidt told BNTV that Dodik invited him to pay a visit to his estate in Bakinci near Laktasi, but he did not accept the invitation. At that time, the daily noted, SNSD rejected those claims as false. Spokesperson for SNSD Radovan Kovacevic denied the latest statements of Schmidt. “I cannot comment on whether someone secretly contacts Christian Schmidt, this is something that we do not know, but I can say with certainty that nobody from SNSD has contacted Schmidt”, Kovacevic added. Kovacevic claimed that there is only communication with people from the Office of the High Representative (OHR) because it has never been disputed that the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) stipulates the existence of the OHR. “However, we do dispute that there is the High Representative in B&H at this moment because nobody was appointed as the successor of Valentin Inzko after he filed his resignation with the UN Security Council”, Kovacevic argued. As for the meeting with Dodik which Schmidt mentioned in his interview to NIN, Kovacevic said that this meeting took place back in 2016 when Schmidt was the Minister of Agriculture of Germany: “Dodik met him as the RS President with the intention to protect interests of agricultural producers of the RS. The phone conversation Christian Schmidt mentioned also happened. I was present when this conversation with Schmidt took place when he was supposed to come as the successor of Valentin Inzko. However, Dodik openly told him that there will be no communication with him unless he is appointed in line with the Annex 10 and noted that there has to be a relevant resolution of the UN Security Council (SC). Having in mind that such resolution has never been adopted by the UN SC, Dodik never recognized Schmidt as the High Representative. The RS never recognized him as the High Representative because he is not the High Representative. This is where the story ends”.

Russian Ambassador: The West is waging hybrid war against Russia; OHR needs to be closed down immediately (Glas Srpske)

On the occasion of 10 February, the Russian Diplomats’ Day, Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov penned a column commenting the current global situation, the war in Ukraine and the situation in B&H. Commenting the war in Ukraine described by Kalabukhov as “special military operation”, he stated that Russian launched the operation in order to protect the Russian-speaking population in Donbas, and that it will continue until the set goals are fulfilled. “This means complete destruction of the source of threats to the Russian Federation and its citizens”, Kalabukhov underlined. He also noted that relations between Russia and the West continue to rapidly degrade and claimed that Europe and USA are waging a hybrid war against Russia. He also argued that this hybrid war was prepared for years, as demonstrated by statements of Western officials like former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former French President Francois Hollande or former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson who admitted that the Minsk agreement was designed to buy time for Kyiv to get armed. Kalabukhov also claimed that the USA is not interested in equal dialogue with other countries or normalization of relations with Russia. Kalabukhov also claimed that the EU and leaders of some EU member states have completely discredited themselves and intermediaries in resolving any conflict in Europe. According to him, total submission of the EU to Washington eliminates any purpose of direct communication with the EU. Commenting Russia’s relations with B&H, Kalabukhov stated that Russia sees B&H as a friendly state. “We reiterate our willingness for dialogue on equal basis about all issues that represent our shared interest”, Kalabukhov underlined and added that Russia continues on B&H refraining from the anti-Russian sanctions in the future as well. He also underlined that interference of “foreign players” in internal affairs of B&H is unacceptable. He also argued that there is no legal basis for functioning of the Peace Implementation Council without Russia’s participation. “We insist on urgent closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) because its presence in the state is no longer necessary. We are convinced that the arbitrariness of the “high representative” who does not have the necessary mandate of the UN Security Council is the main factor of destabilization in the country. We believe that the Dayton Peace Agreement is the foundation of B&H which consists of three equal constituent peoples and two entities”, Kalabukhov noted. He argued that the times of domination of the West led by the USA are over, and that a new world order is being established at the moment. According to Kalabukhov, this process will take some time, but the world is currently undergoing its most painful stage, the state of breakdown of the old system and creation of the new one. He also accused the West of launching an anti-Russian information campaign which completely unmasked the degradation of media freedoms. “We are grateful to the newsrooms in B&H, and especially in RS, for their balanced stances and open media space for all points of view, including the Russian”, Kalabukhov emphasized. Commenting the energy crisis in Europe, Kalabukhov argued that it is caused by wrong energy policies of the Western states, as well as the attempt of the USA and EU to punish Russia with sanctions and direct sabotage. He underlined that Russia cannot be blamed for the energy shortage in Europe and argued that such claims are part of the anti-Russian propaganda. Kalabukhov also accused the West of undermining global efforts to make the transition to green energy because countries without own energy sources are forced to go back to fossil fuels due to the anti-Russian sanctions. Kalabukhov argued that the reason for Russia’s insisting on closure of the OHR is the respect for human dignity in B&H. He underlined that maintaining a foreign protectorate is mocking B&H and its independence. He also stated that Russia always supported peaceful resolving of all disputes through dialogue and mutual respect. Kalabukhov stated that as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement, Russia witnessed the creation of modern B&H. He argued that it is painful to watch the hysterical outbursts of some foreigner without the UN Security Mandate caused by the fact that he is unable to rule another country. He concluded that the foreign protectorate has lost its purpose, and it is now only mocking the freedom and independence of B&H.

RS CC rejects motion of Bosniak Caucus regarding RS Law on Immovable Property (N1)

The Council for Protection of Vital National Interest (VNI) with the Constitutional Court (CC) of the RS did not accept the request of the Bosniak Caucus in the RS Council of Peoples (CoP) for determining violation of the VNI in the RS Law on Immovable Property, which the Constitutional Court of B&H declared unconstitutional. The Council issued an explanation, which reads, among other issues, that the Bosniak Caucus’s request is not acceptable because it did not state in what way the VNI has been violated.

B&H CoM adopts decision on appointment of Directors, Deputy Directors and Acting Directors at several B&H agencies and services (Hayat/FTV)

The B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) held a session in Sarajevo on Thursday and, on this occasion, carried out the first appointments of directors of some agencies at the level of B&H. The B&H CoM appointed Mirko Kupresakovic as the new Director of the B&H Border Police (BP). Zarko Laketa has been appointed a Director of the B&H Service for Foreigners Affairs. Former Director of the B&H BP Zoran Galic has been appointed a Deputy Director of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&H. According to Hayat, SIPA Director Darko Culum’s mandate has expired, and it will most likely be renewed. Natasa Grubisa has been appointed the Acting Director of the B&H Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices. FTV also reports that Djuro Knezevic and Goran Amidzic were appointed Deputy Directors of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies. The report notes that the list of candidates for the Director of the Directorate as well as the list of candidates for the Deputy Director of the B&H Border Police were rejected. These positions belong to Bosniaks and proposed names were not suitable to the current state authorities, because these candidates were proposed by SDA and DF.

Borenovic: B&H CoM’s decision to remove Zolak and appoint Grubisa as Acting Director of B&H Medicines Agency is illegal (BN TV/Hayat)

PDP leader Branislav Borenovic reacted on Thursday to the B&H Council of Ministers’ (CoM) decision to remove Aleksandar Zolak from the post of Director of the B&H Agency for Medicines and Medical Device and to appoint Natasa Grubisa as the Acting Director. Borenovic stated: “Director of the B&H Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices, Dr. Zolak, who professionally managed the agency, which during his mandate has maintained stability and operated strictly within the law, was removed from the post and a new Acting Director was illegally appointed to that position.” Borenovic said that the parties of the parliamentary majority at the B&H level failed to fulfil their promise of acting as a program-led coalition “rather than mathematical coalition” that would deal with economic revival. The PDP leader remarked: “The only economic revival that remained is the revival of their parties and personnel.” He concluded that, when it comes to major projects, they “only stick to the project of distribution of posts among the new coalition partners”. According to the RS opposition, abovementioned appointment was carried out contrary to the Law on Administration of B&H, which defined that it is illegal to appoint Acting Directors or their Deputies in circumstances that the institutions have Directors and Deputies. Asked by media whether Grubisa’s appointment is illegal, B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konakovic stated that in some cases it is possible to appoint the Acting Directors in the mentioned circumstances and in some it is not. In a video statement to Hayat, former B&H deputy minister of Justice Nezir Pivic assessed that the appointment of Grubisa violates the Law on Administration and this, according to him, indicates that the CoM was in a hurry to appoint directors of these important agencies.

New B&H OSA Director not appointed at Thursday’s session of B&H CoM; Konakovic: I will not speculate on names of OSA B&H Director candidates (ATV)

The appointment of the Director and the Deputy Director of the Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) of B&H was not discussed at a session of the B&H Council of Ministers held on Thursday. B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konakovic told reporters after the session that, as far as the Director of the OSA of B&H is concerned, an agreement was reached at the Collegium to proceed with a legal dismissal. When asked about the possible names of the candidates for the new OSA B&H Director, he said that everything that the media speculated about was mostly not the people that are being considered. “We will not talk about names. There is a lot of pressure. It is one of the most important institutions and posts in the entire B&H, not only in that security system. I do not want to devalue anyone’s names, nor do I want to promote them. We will try to protect it until the very end, until the session itself, when you will be informed about the man who should have, first of all, expertise, to have knowledge, courage, to be moral, ethical and to have a valid degree”, Konakovic underscored. Konakovic explained that the legal dismissal means that a meeting of the Executive-Intelligence Commission, formed by B&H CoM Chairwoman Borjana Kristo, must be held. “Today (Thursday) we agreed that she should form it during the day or tomorrow (Friday). That Commission meets on Monday, I think”, Konakovic said. B&H Minister of Security Nenad Nesic said that he is neither obliged to know nor does he know who could become the new OSA Director. Nesic stated: “The appointment of the General Director of OSA is not under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Security, that is, we are not the proponent. The proponent, as far as I know, is the Chairperson of the Council of Ministers. Today, I am not familiar with who is the proposal for the OSA Director”. SNSD will probably propose Risto Zaric as the OSA Deputy Director. SNSD president Milorad Dodik confirmed that their candidate for the OSA deputy director remains Zaric. Nesic said that all appointments were made in accordance with the procedures, and that the appointment of the OSA leadership is not within the competence of the Ministry of Security.

ITA leadership not appointed at B&H CoM’s session; SDP and SNSD both want position of Director of B&H ITA (O Kanal/Nova BH)

At Thursday’s session of the B&H Council of Ministers, Ministers failed to discuss the appointment of new leadership of B&H Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA). Reporter comments that the issue of the ITA leadership is a subject of dispute between SDP and SNSD. Namely, SDP has been insisting as of recently that this position should belong to the Federation of B&H (FB&H), that is, a candidate of ‘The Eight’. On the other hand, SNSD officials say that a candidate from RS was never appointed to this position, and it is time for SNSD to get it. SNSD stressed that if SDP resumes with conditioning, they have tools and mechanisms of blockade. Nova BH reports that the position of the ITA Director becomes a stumbling block in the coalition on B&H level, between SDP and SNSD. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said that, according to the agreement, ITA belong to the Serb side. Dodik pointed out that is because “a Serb was never a director in that agency, and Muslims were, and a Croat was. So, it should, according to everything that is the character of B&H, belong to the RS. We have that agreement”. The reporter reminded that the SDP leader Nermin Niksic said a few days ago that parties from the FB&H are interested in the position of a director in ITA and that they will not give up on it. Niksic explained that the candidate of HDZ B&H is currently performing this duty, adding that if “any changes occur”, ‘The Eight’ is very interested in taking over responsibility for managing the B&H ITA. Asked about insisting of SNSD on this position, Niksic stated that they will insist too. On the other hand, Dodik stressed that position of B&H ITA Director belongs to his party and that it was agreed with partners from the FB&H. He explained that part of this arrangement included withdrawing of nomination of Denis Sulic for the minister in B&H CoM in order to “relax” position of partners from Bosniak people. “All of this was part of package. If this was changed then we started to deceive each other”, stressed Dodik.

B&H Indirect Taxation Authority holds session on Thursday and appoints Tegeltija for new Chairman (BN TV)

The Steering Board of the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of B&H held an inaugural session on Thursday. On this occasion, B&H Minister of Finance Zoran Tegeltija was appointed the Chairman of the ITA SB and FB&H Minister of Finance Jelka Milicevic his Deputy. A regular session followed after the inaugural session and the ITA SB adopted a decision on the second temporary settlement on the basis of which RS should pay FB&H almost BAM 29 million. Also, the regulation on the creation of a minimum reserve for meeting the obligations of the ITA in connection with indirect taxes, other revenues and fees was adopted.

Dodik: RS cannot be bypassed in its projects because SNSD will prevent all projects in FB&H that require CoM’s approval (Dnevni list)

RS President Milorad Dodik, whilst speaking for ATV about functioning of new authority in B&H, assessed that the public is curious because he has announced the process of ‘return of competences’, arguing it is a difficult process as it requires additional defining of the policy that should create conditions for something like that. Dodik also commented on statement of SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic, who said that SDP B&H does not intend to let SNSD take over the position of the Director of the Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA). Namely, Dodik said, among other issues, that one could see Niksic saying, “if we insist on a position, and he will insist too”. “If that is the reply, I can say the same. That is my reply to him, he who is always fair. We have defined that we will support constitutional B&H, and now what is imaginary B&H”, said Dodik. Speaking about the rapport with ‘The Six’, Dodik said there is communication on the daily basis with the people in the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). “Therefore, their alleged rushing into better (future) must first pass agreement with us. If there is not that (agreement with RS), then there is nothing. I said a long time ago I do not follow what is happening in the FB&H, I am not interested in it”, said Dodik, stressing that the RS cannot be bypassed in the projects because SNSD and parties gathered around SNSD will prevent each project in the FB&H, which requires approval from the B&H CoM.

Working group of ‘The Eight’ discusses measures to undertake in ministries in future FB&H government (Hayat)

The working group of ‘The Eight’ held a meeting in SDP B&H headquarters in Sarajevo on Thursday. On this occasion, representatives of the parties of ‘The Eight’ discussed the measures that should be undertaken in individual ministries in the future FB&H government. Among the main topics of this meeting were the measures for the FB&H Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mining and the FB&H Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management. NES’ member of the work group Jasmin Emric confirmed that NES and SB&H are interested in the ministerial posts in the FB&H Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mining but they still do not have specific candidates for the position. “Someone needs to assume responsibility. We are aware of the complexity of those processes. There is commitment to work together and the whole FB&H government will deal with strategic and key problems as well as with the development of the FB&H, including the energy sector”, Emric added. SB&H’s member of the working group Admir Cavalic noted that the working group did not discuss personnel solutions, but rather the measures and activities to improve the work of individual ministries in the FB&H government. “We dealt with program activities”, he added. Following this meeting, members of the working group stated they did not discuss collection of signatures of MPs in the FB&H HoR to prove they have majority in the FB&H parliament.

Covic deems High Representative should not intervene in process of formation of FB&H authorities (Nova BH)

HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic said that he sees no reason for the High Representative to B&H Christian Schmidt to intervene, stressing that he is certainly going to establish the FB&H government. Covic said that they, as well as the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM), will soon form the FB&H Government. Covic stated: “I do not see any reason. I think that the High Representative did what he needed to do with his interventions. We will probably in the next two days have the (female) FB&H President and two deputies, which will have the mandate holder (for the FB&H Prime Minister). The authorities will be formed. I see no reason for anyone to intervene”. Covic did not want to comment statement of SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic that “Milorad Dodik and Dragan Covic should be reduced to right measure”. “I have heard the other day Konakovic saying that it would take time to reach the third so we could move forward. However, I would not like to comment any of the officials. These are the colleagues that I worked with, everyone has their own stance. This is the nature of political life, this is verified in elections, communicate, after this the authority is formed,” said Covic.

Plenkovic at the EU summit: Union leaders discussed “the most tense situation in the north of Kosovo so far” (Hina)

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that yesterday in Brussels the leaders of the European Union discussed the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue “because the situation in the north of Kosovo is the most tense aspect now”, as well as the development in B&H after the elections. The Croatian Prime Minister assessed that the European, German-French proposal is good and that it should be supported and given support to the Dialogue because it contributes to stability in South-Eastern Europe and “it is necessary to have a long-term sustainable solution and that is why the conclusions (of the EU leaders’ meeting) it an appeal to Serbia and Kosovo to support it”. Plenkovic said that EU High Representative Josep Borrell reported on his attendance “last Saturday’s session of the Croatian National Assembly in Mostar, where the unity of all political parties of the Croatian people in B&H was expressed and strong messages that B&H is also the homeland of the Croatian people”. “Thus”, Plenkovic added, “desires for equality, equity and constitutionality were underlined, exactly as the Croatian people in B&H, but also the Croatian state and especially the government, have been trying to put on the agenda” in EU bodies for years. The Croatian Prime Minister pointed out that it was successful and that during the last year in the EU, the constitutivity of Croats in B&H became a political issue and led to the intervention of the high representative in B&H, Christian Schmidt.

Government confirms: Census to be carried out 1-15 November (CdM)

The government of Montenegro has adopted the Proposal for a Regulation on determining the period of the census of population, households and apartments and the reference moment of the census, according to which the census is to be held in the period from 1 to 15 November. The government has adopted the Proposal for a Decision on the introduction of international restrictive measures determined by the decisions of the Council of the EU in connection with the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Outgoing PM Dritan Abazovic has said that the restrictive measures were introduced to Belarus due to the country’s involvement in the invasion that Russia has been carrying out against Ukraine since 24 February 2022. At the beginning of the meeting, Abazovic and ministers held a minute of silence for the thousands who died in the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria.

Census “crosses out” early elections (RTCG)

The government has decided that the census in Montenegro is to be held in the period from 1 to 15 November. That means, say the authorities, that there will be no early parliamentary elections this year. The opposition, on the other hand, claims that it is a democratic precedent that the government, in a technical mandate, makes a decision to organize the census, thereby prolonging its own mandate. Although early parliamentary elections have long been cited as the only way out of the current political crisis, after the Government’s decision to organize the census in November, it is certain that after the presidential election this year, we will no longer go to the polls, say the authorities. “Everything points to the fact that it seems that there will be no early parliamentary elections, because I do not believe that the census will be postponed, considering that it has already been specified by law”, says Branka Bosnjak of the Movement for Changes (PzP). The opposition also believes that Montenegro needs a census with the results of which all future public policies will be harmonized. However, the opposition believes that the moment in which the decision to hold the census is made is disputed. “Everything is being done to prevent parliamentary elections from happening, abuse of the government system is continuing and I would say that this is a first-rate scandal”, believes DPS MP Andrija Nikolic. The parties that make up the government, SNP and URA, with the political strength insufficient to take part in the presidential elections now “want to come up with a way to continue abusing the positions they are in for another year and a half against the will of Parliament and the will of the citizens, all contrary to the Constitution and the laws”, says SDP MP Bojan Zekovic.

Konjevic: There’s still room for opposition parties to cooperate with Europe Now (Vijesti/CdM)

The Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has not yet declared whether its leader Milo Djukanovic will enter the race for the new presidential mandate, or whether the strongest opposition party will opt for another party or non-party candidate. When asked whether it would be good for that party to have Djukanovic as a candidate, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Rasko Konjevic points out that it is a matter for DPS. “The best assessment of that candidate will be given by the citizens of Montenegro in the elections. I don’t think it’s good political manners to comment on the internal situation of DPS”, Konjevic points out during Vijesti TV’s talk-show. Konjevic adds that according to public opinion polls, the candidates of DPS, Democratic Front (DF) and Milojko Spajic have the best chance for the second round. “We will see what will happen in the second round, but what is certain is that we will not support Andrija Mandic”, Konjevic is clear. When asked if there is still room for them to support Spajic, Konjevic points out that the leader of the Europe Now movement has to clear up a few things if he wants to run for office. “He must clarify part of the legal requirements for candidacy, whether he has a residence in Serbia. Spajic must go to Belgrade for confirmation that he is not a Serbian citizen, that he does not have a residence and the right to vote there”, says Konjevic. He believes that Spajic cannot get a confirmation from Serbia that he does not have a residence in that country. “If that is the case, Spajic can hardly legally be a candidate for the president of Montenegro. The law does not allow that”, Konjevic points out.

Alliance wants to get in, Alternativa doesn’t want to get out of the government (Republika)

Today or tomorrow we can expect the official entry of the Alliance for Albanians into the government. However, the entry of Taravari’s party may not mean an increase in the parliamentary majority, if the announcements that the other Albanian coalition partner in power, Alternativa, might leave, come true. Mathematically translated, Kovacevski would get four MPs on his account because Alliance has eight MPs and Alternativa has four. But as things stand, the most realistic option is for Alliance to enter the government and Alternativa to remain, because Kovacevski desperately needs to show that the parliamentary majority is increasing. Although, as Albanian politicians and experts openly comment, the government needs an increase in the parliamentary majority not to reach 80 MPs for constitutional amendments, but to have 61 MPs for a session in the parliament. Because of the “strong” majority, Talat Xhaferi has not convened a session for three weeks. That’s why the government wants almost all Albanian parties together.

Alternativa received an indecent offer from Kovacevski to remain in the government (Republika)

Dimitar Kovacevski, the current Prime Minister of Macedonia, gave Afrim Gashi from Alternativa an indecent offer to stay in the government. Kovacevski only offered them the ministry of information society and they are now on the verge of leaving the ruling coalition. They believe that the goal is to drive “Alternativa” out of the government so that they have an excuse why “Alliance” will receive significant posts. Thus, in this way Kovacevski is killing the European agenda of the state. As Republika previously reported, Alternativa is leaving the government, and the Alliance for Albanians is taking its place. If Alternativa leaves the government, the Ministry of Information Society will be given to Alliance. According to the agreement, apart from the Ministries of Health and Justice, they also receive the Deputy Minister positions in Defense and Agriculture, as well as two State Secretaries, one of which is in Labor and Social Affairs. They also get directorial positions in MEPSO, PIOM, the educational inspectorate, the directorate for management of confiscated property and the Tetovo hospital. They will have deputy positions in numerous other directorates. SDSM hands over Justice Ministry, gets Environment Ministry and keeps PRO and Customs. The coalition will be formalized after the agreement is approved by the party’s Central Presidencies.

Government reshuffle possible with the entry of Alliance (Republika)

Alliance for Albanians will be part of the government, the highest body of the party decided, and the Central Board of SDSM gave the green light for its entry into the government coalition. The session for government reshuffle can be scheduled already on Monday, says parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi, if during the day Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski submits the proposal to the MPs for the composition of the new government cabinet. Last night, after the session of the highest party body of the Alliance for Albanians, the party’s president Arben Taravari confirmed that they are joining the government and announced the functions that should belong to them. At last nights’s session, the central presidency of the Alliance for Albanians accepted by a majority to enter the government. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Information Society, and the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs have been agreed upon as portfolios that will belong to the Alliance for Albanians. It was agreed, as Taravari said, that AA would also get two deputy ministerial posts, for defense and for agriculture, forestry and water management. Previously, sources in AA informed that they should also receive two state secretaries, one of whom is in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, and the second will be further determined. Among the director posts that the Alliance for Albanians would receive are in the “Post of the Republic of Macedonia”, MEPSO, the State Educational Inspectorate and the Agency for the Management of Confiscated Property, as well as deputy directors in the Customs Administration, the Public Revenue Office (PRO) and the ESM. Taravari has announced a meeting with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski for today, at which, as he said, he will announce the names of future ministers and deputy ministers from the ranks of this party. The Central Board of SDSM also held a session last night. As the spokesperson of SDSM Bogdanka Kuzeska stated, the Central Board of SDSM authorized the party leader and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski to conclude the talks for a larger majority and to propose personnel solutions for the government reshuffle.

President Begaj receives Lord Stuart Peach/ May 14 elections, corruption and organized crime, focus of discussions (Radio Tirana)

The President of the country Bajram Begaj received the British government’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Lord Stuart Peach. Begaj appreciated the great attention that the British government pays to the Western Balkans region. As for the latest developments in the Balkan region, Begaj underlined the fact that the region is going through difficult moments in terms of peace and security, also influenced by Russian influence on some of the regional actors. Focusing on the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Begaj appreciated the willingness recently demonstrated by the Kosovo authorities to welcome the proposals of international partners and underlined the necessity of reaching a comprehensive and applicable agreement between the parties as soon as possible. “Both interlocutors underlined the great importance of maintaining unity, solidarity and cohesion among NATO member countries in dealing with the effects of Russian military aggression in Ukraine and Russian influences in the Western Balkans region. While, regarding the developments in Albania, the two interlocutors focused on the country’s preparations for the upcoming local elections, on 14 May of this year, on the commitments of the Albanian law enforcement institutions in the fight against organized crime and corruption, as well as the important cooperation with the respective agencies of the United Kingdom, including in the framework of cyber security”, the press release of the Presidency states. For his part, Lord Peach underlined the interest and increased attention of the British government for maintaining peace and stability in the Western Balkans region, as well as appreciated the contribution of Albania as a non-permanent member country in the United Nations Security Council, especially related to the aggression in Ukraine.

Berisha asks support of all Albania for Saturday’s massive protest (ADN)

Only two days from the opposition protest, the leader of the DP Sali Berisha said that everyone will be on their feet, to face this regime. During a conversation with residents of branches 6, 7 and 16, Berisha called on all citizens to come to Tirana on 11 February. “Standing to face tooth for tooth, standing to answer you with all the democratic ways of civil disobedience until our triumph. Mafia cannot turn us into anonymous people. We have overthrown systems, we do not give up our freedoms. These hours that we have left, we should knock on every door, to every citizen, and give them the leaflet. We invite you to join us in this revolution. These hours are crucial. We have to open the doors to all the acquaintances we have who want to come from the districts the day before. On Saturday, Albania marches towards Tirana”, Berisha said among other things.

Scholz: EU should speed up the integration process of Western Balkans countries (Radio Tirana)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that the EU should prioritize the countries of the Western Balkans to become part of the European family. Also, according to him, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia will have to get closer to the EU. Scholz, speaking before the EU summit, has also emphasized that the integration of these countries into the EU must be successful, but on the other hand, according to him, this means that these countries fulfil the criteria of the rule of law. democratic and economic conditions. Scholz added that the EU has given a perspective to all these countries and must now define the path of their approach to the European family.