LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: The country is ready (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the public after the extremists at the protest in Belgrade threatened with murder, sending dangerous messages. Vucic congratulated the citizens on the national holiday and said that this protest would not deserve special attention, and that these are not informal right-wing groups. “They are supported by four parliamentary parties, some of the leaders were at the meeting. This was not the case, they haven’t met by chance. They knew what they were doing. Everything was planned,” said Vucic. “Everything they do, they do against Serbia and against their people,” said Vucic. Vucic adds that it is important that there are people in the leadership of the state who know what the state is. “You called them pro-Russian. I don’t know if they are pro-Russian, but I know that they are anti-Serbian, because they do everything against their people. In order to love someone else, you have to love your own people first. We have deep emotions towards Russia and the Russian people, we are the only country that has not introduced sanctions. Unlike them, I have convictions, I don’t need someone from Wagner to pat me on the back. We have very deep emotions towards Russia and the Russian people, we are the only ones who have not introduced sanctions,” said Vucic. Vucic stated that nobody invented a carbine today, and that the young man who was arrested publicly said that he went to Belgrade for a meeting. “People should think about what kind of country we want to live in. My message to the citizens is not to worry, and that the state will provide everything for the citizens,” said Vucic. “The state takes care of that, and will not allow any thugs and extremists, with any protection from the outside, to threaten the constitutional order of Serbia. I also said in the assembly that we are facing difficult times, and that everyone will break the spears over Serbia’s back. In progress is a world conflict, it is ours to preserve the peace. We have lost many children in the whole century, we have no more children to throw away. Just as I will not fall for their provocations, so that those who did the worst for Serbs in Kosovo tell me how I did something bad,” Vucic said. “The state is ready. The competent authorities will react, they will react very quickly, very efficiently,” said Vucic. Vucic said that Interior Ministry must say whether this protest was approved, but regardless of everything, no one has the right to do what was done tonight. “We saw these hysterical shouts, it speaks volumes about the nervousness due to the collapse of their policy in the parliament. People should know that there will be many more such attempts. Many in the world will try to destroy the stability of Serbia. Once and for all, everyone must learn, in Serbia, citizens come to power and leave power by election,” said Vucic. “I want to say to our people in Kosovo and Metohija that we are with them, we will protect Kosovo and Metohija and we will protect Serbia,” Vucic concluded. At the invitation of Vucic, an extraordinary meeting was held tonight with all key people from the security sector in the country. The first man of Serbia and the most important people from the MUP, BIA, VBA and VOA discussed the security situation in the country, which was undermined by the dangerous messages uttered at tonight’s gathering of extremists in Belgrade, where Vucic was openly threatened with murder. At the protest of the so-called patriots tonight in the center of Belgrade, they openly threatened to kill President Vucic and all his like-minded people.

Three arrested for calling for violent change of constitutional order – police (Tanjug)

In cooperation with the Security Information Agency and prosecutor’s offices in Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbian police have arrested three people suspected of the criminal offence of calling for a violent change of the constitutional order. The arrestees, identified as D K, aged 35, D Z, aged 52, and D B, aged 36, are charged with calling on citizens to gather in Belgrade in large numbers to violently overthrow the government and the president of the Republic of Serbia, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. D B is also charged with the criminal offence of illicit manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of weapons and explosive matters as a carbine with an optical sight and ammunition has been found in his possession. M J, aged 22, has been arrested on suspicion of committing the criminal offence of illicit manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of weapons and explosive matters by transferring the weapon to D B. M J, who is also suspected of misappropriating the weapon prior to transferring it to D B, is charged with the criminal offence of aggravated theft as well. I T, aged 28, has also been arrested on suspicion of illicit manufacture, possession, carrying and distribution of weapons and explosive matters. The suspects have been placed in 48-hour detention and will appear before relevant prosecutors, the statement said.

Vucic: Our state was born here and has never died since (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

As a people, without a state we would be in the position of peoples even larger than us that live in territories that belong to others and by laws made by others and are left at the mercy of the interests of others, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday in Kragujevac, central Serbia, at a ceremony marking 15 February, Serbia’s Statehood Day. “The state was born here and has never died since, and without a state, without the principles it rests upon, without institutions and the mechanisms the economy, education and the health care system have been built upon, freedom would not be a word we live and live for, but a dream we die for without the hope of it ever coming true,” Vucic said. Faced with the consequences of a war in eastern Europe that we are not involved in and with pressures over Kosovo and Metohija, we can find our salvation in the fact that in the past ten years we have succeeded in doing the very thing our ancestors wanted – in creating a strong, independent, democratic and sovereign state that is capable of growing, developing and getting stronger while fighting and protecting its national interests, Vucic said. We have no tasks more important than the one of treating responsibly what has been created by our own will, protecting and strengthening our state and not allowing anyone to jeopardise the essence of our existence and survival, Vucic said. For that, we have no other guarantee than the state of Serbia, he said. “We have no other guarantee for all of us in central Serbia or our people in Kosovo and Metohija, our people in Republika Srpska, Serbs in Montenegro or those living in many other countries than the state of Serbia itself, a democratic, sovereign and free state,” Vucic said.

Brnabic: Serbia adopted one of Europe’s most liberal constitutions 188 years ago (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday Statehood Day events celebrated the day when, 188 years ago, Serbia had adopted one of the most liberal constitutions in Europe at the time. “Serbia marks the day of the Meeting of the Lord – Statehood Day, the day when, 188 years ago, one of the most liberal constitutions in Europe at the time was adopted – the Day of the Meeting of the Lord Constitution. We also proudly celebrate the remembrance of 1804, when the First Serbian Uprising began under Vozhd Karadjordje’s leadership, paving the way for liberation and laying the foundations of today’s Serbia we live in, proud and aware of the legacy we have been entrusted with,” Brnabic wrote in an Instagram post.

Brnabic, Viskovic attend Statehood Day service at Oplenac (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian PM Ana Brnabic and Republika Srpska PM Radovan Viskovic attended on Wednesday a memorial service held at Oplenac, central Serbia, as part of Statehood Day events. After the service in St George’s Church, led by Bishop of Sumadija Jovan, Brnabic and Viskovic laid wreaths at the sarcophagus of Djordje Karadjordje Petrovic (1768-1817), the leader of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire. Wreaths were also laid by Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment and Veteran and Social Affairs Nikola Selakovic, Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces officials, members of the Karadjordjevic family and representatives of the King Peter I Endowment. The officials also paid tributes outside the church as the Serbian national anthem was being performed by an army orchestra.

Dacic: Serbia celebrates Statehood Day with pride (Tanjug)

Serbia celebrates its Statehood Day with pride, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in a congratulatory message to Serbian citizens on Wednesday. “Since as early as 1804, when the First Serbian Uprising began on the day of the Meeting of the Lord, and since 1835, when the first Constitution of Serbia was adopted, our people and our country have been respected and have had many friends. The day of the Meeting of the Lord is a day that unifies our love of freedom and justice – the values Serbia has been guided by throughout its history,” Dacic said. Serbia celebrates this holiday with pride, as a state with a long tradition of a love of freedom and democracy, Dacic said. “We also celebrate it as a people wishing to cooperate with all who want to make progress together with us and want mutual respect. May this Statehood Day, too, be a day of pride in our history and our ancestors, as well as a day reminding us of the path of freedom, peace and prosperity, a path Serbia needs to continue on. Dear citizens, happy Statehood Day,” Dacic said.

Biden congratulates Vucic on Statehood Day (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has received a congratulatory message from US President Joe Biden ahead of February 15, Serbia’s Statehood Day. In the message, Biden said Serbia and the US had in the past several years worked on diversification of energy sources and strengthening of economic cooperation, creating a better future for their citizens. Together, we must continue to support the people of Ukraine and call Russia to account for its unjust and unprovoked war against Ukraine, Biden also said. He said that, in the year ahead, the US would continue to support Serbia’s path towards EU accession as well as the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalisation of relations with Kosovo. Biden added that the US welcomed Vucic’s support for an EU proposal for normalisation that would help create a more peaceful and more prosperous future for the region. Biden concluded by noting that he looked forward to further strengthening of the partnership between the two countries and the friendship between the two peoples.

Vucic speaks with Michel (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had a telephone conversation with European Council President Charles Michel on Tuesday to exchange views on the current situation in the region, Serbia’s European perspective, reforms on the EU path and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Vucic expressed gratitude for the fact that, for the first time, the European Council had adopted conclusions calling for unconditional implementation of commitments undertaken in the dialogue including, especially, Pristina’s commitment to form a Community of Serb Municipalities. Vucic reiterated Serbia’s determined commitment to preserve peace and stability and to strengthen and expand cooperation with countries in the region. Michel highlighted the significance of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, noting that a proactive approach to resolving all open issues was substantial for European integration. Vucic reiterated that Serbia maintained a serious approach not only to dialogue, but also to further work on reform processes, and thanked Michel for his personal engagement and support to Serbia on the EU integration path. Michel extended his congratulations to Vucic ahead of 15 February, Serbia’s Statehood Day.

Vucic speaks with Sandu (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by telephone with Moldovan President Maia Sandu on Wednesday. Vucic and Sandu expressed mutual support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of their countries, as well as interest in development of Serbia-Moldova bilateral ties to mutual benefit, the press office of the president of Serbia said in a statement. They agreed the Serbs and Moldovans were friendly nations. In light of recent statements, they said potential open issues would be resolved by agreement. Vucic invited Sandu to visit Serbia, and Sandu invited him to the second European Political Community summit, to be held in Chisinau in June. Vucic and Sandu also discussed the European future of Serbia and Moldova, the statement said.

Serbia rejects insinuations about involvement of its citizens in possible violence in Moldova (Tanjug)

On Tuesday, in a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova Niko Popescu, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic pointed out that Serbia resolutely rejects any insinuation about the potential involvement of our citizens in possible violent events in Moldova, as stated by the President of that country, Maia Sandu. Dacic pointed out that Serbia and Moldova are friendly countries and that they have always supported each other in terms of territorial integrity, and that is why we ask the Moldovan state authorities to provide our security services with any information about the aforementioned assumptions. We are looking for all the information on how to prevent anyone from Serbia from participating in armed and violent actions anywhere in the world, which is strictly punishable under our law, said Dacic. Popescu said that the mentioned information was obtained from the Ukrainian intelligence service and that they are checking it all, adding that so far there have been no such examples of the involvement of Serbian citizens, as well as that all information will be exchanged between the security services of the two countries. Dacic and Popescu agreed that maximum efforts should be made so as not to damage the good and friendly relations between Serbia and Moldova, and that all negative consequences of this disinformation should be prevented, including everything that is happening in connection with the football match between FC Sherif and FC Partizan, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Petkovic: Pristina’s refusal to establish ZSO creating a frozen conflict (Politika/Beta)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said that Belgrade and Pristina are in a kind of a frozen conflict because of Pristina’s refusal to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). “As it is objectively impossible to achieve any substantial progress on any other issue of importance for the process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina without the formation of the ZSO, we find ourselves, not by our will, in a kind of a frozen conflict, which threatened to turn into a real large-scale conflict every time irresponsible and unreasonable politicians in Pristina got a chance for it,” Petkovic wrote in an opinion piece for Politika, Beta reported. Noting that the ZSO was the main point of the dialogue that led to the signing of the Brussels agreement, Petkovic stressed that, for Belgrade, the formation of this Community is something that any thought on normalizing relations and the situation on the ground must rest on. “The idea of the ZSO is not a political luxury or a whim, but a way for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to physically survive and to be institutionally protected from the dangerous and aggressive actions of the extremists in Pristina. Experience teaches us that what Pristina strongly resists, as a rule, is in the interest of the Serbian people,” said Petkovic. He added that the concept of the ZSO does not in any way threaten the ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H Presidency members meet with Michel and Borrell in Brussels (BHT1)

The B&H Presidency members, Zeljka Cvijanovic, Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic, met with European Council President Charles Michel and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Brussels on Wednesday. B&H Presidency members and the EU officials discussed B&H’s process of the EU integration and meeting the conditions for further progress on the path to the EU. Cvijanovic stated that B&H Presidency members and the EU officials discussed how to treat the issues that were raised through the fourteen priorities, how to speed up that process and how to divide the priorities so that B&H could record certain results. “We agreed that we will have periodic meetings so that we could inform him (Michel) about what we think and how we should move on and what the results are. He indicated that he would like to see certain progress, which could then be reflected in the report on B&H’s progress at the end of the year,” Cvijanovic said. Komsic said that the B&H authorities are expected to adopt the Law on B&H High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC), the Law on Public Procurement and the Law on Conflict of Interest. “I believe that it is high time to remove those things from the list of those fourteen priorities,” Komsic said. Becirovic pointed out that the authorities in B&H have a concrete task. “I said, among other things, that we are now at a crossroads when we have to decide do we only want to have a declarative consensus about the EU, or will we now move into a new, better phase, which is to have a working consensus on the importance of B&H’s entry into the EU,” Becirovic said.

Zvizdic: I informed Guterres that B&H is strongly committed to key foreign policy priorities of B&H – EU and NATO integration (FTV/O Kanal)

At the meeting on Wednesday in New York, speaker of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Denis Zvizdic and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres discussed B&H’s European path, newly formed authority and its future tasks. FTV reports that new, more progressive B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) is ready to work on implementation of the key foreign policy goals, i.e. EU membership and NATO. Zvizdic and Guterres also talked about influence of external factors. In a video message after the meeting, Zvizdic said: “I drew special attention to the fact that peace and stability in B&H and the whole region are still very fragile and unstable, that attacks on territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H continue, that specific ideas of divisions within B&H are still alive, or of the creation of some worlds in our immediate neighborhood and that the key message is the architecture of the Western Balkans has been finalized and we all need to turn to mutual cooperation.” O Kanal reports that Zvizdic informed Guterres about the current political, economic and security situation in B&H and the fact that a new and more progressive B&H CoM has been formed. In a video message after the meeting, Zvizdic said: “I informed him that B&H is strongly committed to the key foreign policy priorities of B&H, i.e. EU and NATO integration, that we were granted the candidate status several months ago which is a very important message and signal to all citizens of B&H, because we have returned to the tracks that take us to the EU and that we expect B&H to quickly – I refer to several years – becomes a full-fledged member of NATO, because that is a crucial security umbrella that enables long-lasting peace and stability in B&H. I also informed him about developments after the general elections, formation of new B&H CoM that shows great political will to improve processes in B&H.”

Konakovic pays visit to Turkey, meets with Turkish FM and Cavusoglu (O Kanal)

B&H Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic, who arrived in Turkey on Tuesday, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Wednesday, and after the meeting they held a joint press conference. The reporter notes that Cavusoglu gave an emotional speech, expressing his gratitude to the authorities and citizens of B&H, the Islamic Community in B&H, entities, local communities, non-governmental organizations and especially search and rescue teams from B&H. Addressing the press conference, Konakovic said he is proud of the fact that B&H is among the countries to have sent the largest number of rescuers. “When compared to big world economies, we are not as developed country and as strong economy. But, our emotion and our commitment to being with people and authorities of Turkey is undeniable,” said Konakovic. Konakovic promised that B&H will provide assistance in terms of material and human resources in reconstruction of earthquake-affected areas in Turkey as much as it can. Addressing the press conference, Konakovic said that the original plan was to come to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum “and once again reaffirm the importance of diplomatic relations between our countries, emphasize that Turkish people and Turkey are among top priorities of B&H’s foreign policy (…). However, these circumstances motivated us to change our schedules, come here and show substantially and symbolically that we firmly stand with people and authorities in Turkey’’. FTV reports that Konakovic also reminded of Turkey’s assistance to B&H in all crises. Cavusoglu expressed his gratitude to B&H for its help and support. Addressing the press conference, Cavusoglu said that B&H first show its solidarity with messages, and immediately after that the country sent its search and rescue teams, noting that “234 persons and 13 different teams came from B&H to join search in Hatay, Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras. They are doing their best to save as many people as possible. They have saved 26 people from the debris”.

Statehood Day of Serbia marked by awards granting ceremonies, Head of RS Representation Office among awarded ones (ATV)

Serbia celebrates its Statehood Day, marking the anniversaries of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1804 and the confirmation of the first Constitution of the Principality of Serbia in 1835. Traditional decorations awarding ceremony hosted for deserving individuals and institutions on the Statehood Day was held in Belgrade on Wednesday. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic presented the decorations in the field of sports, economy, education, medicine and art with deserving individuals. Head of the RS Representative Office in Serbia Mladjen Cicovic is among the deserving individuals who received the decoration. RS President Milorad Dodik and other RS officials also attended the Serbian Statehood Day marking ceremonies in Belgrade. Vucic thanked Dodik for preservation of friendly and brotherly relations between the RS and Serbia. He also thanked Dodik and other RS representatives for being always with Serbia whenever important holidays are observed. Dodik said that the Serbian Statehood Day is also a holiday for the RS and that the RS observes two holidays – 9 January as the RS Day and the Statehood Day of Serbia, reminding that the RS and Serbia jointly mark 15 September as the Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and the National Flag. In a statement for media, Cicovic said that this award is recognition to good relations between the RS and Serbia, adding that these relations have never been at higher level. He stressed that this is recognition for all those who have been working on projects of promotion of the RS in Serbia. Actor Lazar Ristovski addressed participants of award ceremony. He underlined that Serbia is an older brother or mother to the RS as well as a safe house. Dodik stated that when Serbia observes its Statehood Day, this day is observed by Serbs around the world. He explained that this is date when Serb people rehabilitated their statehood. Dodik underlined that this is also holiday of citizens of the RS. Vucic thanked the RS for always being by Serbia, when it celebrates and when it grieves or celebrates. He stressed that the RS and Serbia will be together in everything, in line with principles of the international law.

Abazovic: ANB will carry out additional checks on alleged participation of our nationals in destabilization of Moldova, if necessary (CdM)

After Moldova’s Intelligence Service stated that the Russian President Vladimir Putin had attempted to destabilize that country with assistance of Montenegro, the outgoing Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic said he’d try to get into contact with the cabinet of Moldova’s President in order to get the additional information. “If our security services need to carry out additional checks on our citizens, if they have some other information, we’re more than willing to hear about it. I personally don’t have any special information, I haven’t heard about it, just saw in the media and don’t want to connect it with the policy of the government and the state. There are certain irresponsible individuals in both our country and other countries, but what I read – it sounded rough, as the impression was that the state of Montenegro took part in it.” PM Abazovic also stated that every comment concerning the government’s policy, that is, Russia’s impact, was totally baseless.

Confusion about Europe Now leaders: DIK to consider Spajic’s candidacy today, MUP checking whether he has Serbian citizenship (CdM)

The State Election Commission (DIK) is to hold a session today. One of the topics will be the potential candidacy of the leader of the Europe Now movement Milojko Spajic for president, as well as the response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia to DIK’s initiative, in which it is stated that Spajic has residence registered in that country. Radovan Popovic, general manager of the Directorate for Citizenship and Foreigners at the Ministry of the Interior of Montenegro (MUP) has announced that the first steps of the Ministry of Interior in the coming period are to check whether Spajic has Serbian citizenship. The beginning of the session is scheduled for noon. Spajic has not made an official statement with regard to this issue. The DIK president Nikola Mugosa told Vijesti TV last night that DIK would give the final answer on the presidential candidacies. He again commented on DIK’s initiative addressed to the Republic of Serbia’s Election Commission, saying that “it is not clear to him why this institution went beyond its competence when it requested data from another country”. Mugosa also said that the candidacy of one of the DF leaders Andrija Mandic was confirmed by DIK. Popovic said that the first MUP steps in the coming period would be to check “whether Spajic has Serbian citizenship”.

Parliamentary debate over dismissal of Bekim Sali continues (Alsat-M/Sitel/Telma/MRT)

The parliament debated for a third day over the dismissal of Alternativa ministers and the appointment of ministers of the Alliance for Albanians (AfA). The debate is still stuck on the Prime Minister’s proposal for the dismissal of Bekim Sali from the position of Minister of Health. On Wednesday, the debate also expanded among Albanian MPs. Fadil Zendeli from Besa Movement asked AfA MPs if they stand by the statements made against DUI and SDSM. “In the last year of the mandate, you made a lot of statements against this government, against DUI and its officials. You have used very harsh vocabulary against your colleagues here and overnight you changed your mind and were interested in becoming part of the government,” said Fadil Zendeli, MP of Besa Movement. Halil Snopche, MP of the Alliance for Albanians responded, accusing Zendeli that his party aligned against the interests of the Albanians when it was in the government. “When we raised the initiative of the Law on citizenship to solve the long-standing problem of our citizens who did not enjoy basic rights as a result of the lack of citizenship, you did not side with us, but sided with the government. When we insisted that the population census should not be postponed as a result of the VMRO-SDSM agreement, that the intensity of the diaspora census should not be reduced, you did not align with us, but supported the postponement,” said Snopche. VMRO-DPMNE MPs requested to know if Taravari still believes that DUI-SDDM is the government of crime, corruption and hybrid regime. There are still some VMRO-DPMNE MPs left to exercise their right to speak only on the first item on the agenda- the proposal for Sali’s dismissal from the position of Minister of Health. Then the debate shall continue on other dismissals and proposals for new ministers in Justice, Ecology, Information Society, Health and deputy ministers.

Representatives of Bulgarian community meet FM Osmani (All media)

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani met Wednesday with Gjorgji Trendafilov and Ljupcho Gjorgievski, representatives of organizations of the Bulgarian community in North Macedonia, exchanging opinions on issues that concern them, challenges of the associations and the possibilities for more direct and intensive cooperation with the state. Interlocutors expressed satisfaction from the direct approach in exchanging opinions and the intention for another meeting and enhanced dynamics in communication, for the purpose of more direct incorporation of the Bulgarian community and associations representing it within the regular cooperation between the state and the civil society sector, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. The meeting is taking place a day ahead of the expiration of the deadline stipulated in the changes of the Law on Associations and Foundations, according to which Bulgarian associations “Vancho Mihajlov” and “Tsar Boris III” should change their names or otherwise shut down.

Defense Minister Peleshi, attends the two-day meeting of the NATO ministerial in Brussels (Radio Tirana)

Albanian Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi participated in the two-day meeting of the NATO ministerial held in Brussels. The focus of the discussions was the war in Ukraine, which next week marks the 1st anniversary of its beginning. The high representatives of the Alliance countries emphasized the urgent need for more support with weapon systems, tanks, artillery and ammunition of various calibers in order to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression. These issues were also addressed during the special meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine, which was held before the start of the meeting of the Ministers of Defense, at the headquarters of NATO, where Peleshi was also a part. The Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of increasing supplies of weapons and ammunition to Kyiv, at a very critical time for the fate of the war there. Special attention was also paid to the strengthening of NATO’s deterrence and defense elements, as well as the establishment and development of the production industries of armaments and ammunition of the countries of the Alliance, with the aim of compensating for the armaments and ammunition sent to Ukraine, but also for increased Allied reserves. Peleshi, apart from participating in the meeting of the Ministers of Defense and the meeting of the Contact Group for Ukraine, also participated in the meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the countries contributing to the Group-Battalion led by Canada in Latvia. Minister Peleshi assessed this meeting as very important, at a very critical moment for the defense and security of the Allies.

15 years of Independent Kosova/ President Begaj: one nation divided into two states (Radio Tirana)

The Embassy of Kosova in Tirana hosted a reception last evening, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the Declaration of Kosova Independence. President Begaj, present at the reception, praised the consolidation of the state of Kosova during the last 15 years. “Kosova, a free and independent state, is the fulfillment of the legacy of Ibrahim Rugova and Adem Jashari. It was the beginning of a new era, where the state of Kosova was designed as a modern, democratic, looking forward with an unwavering Euro-Atlantic will. The Republic of Kosova, a sovereign and independent state, has demonstrated with facts, maturity and prudence in its stances,” affirmed Albanian President. “During these 15 years, Kosova has managed to respect and honor the promise it made to the world, through the signatories of independence, that it was and will be a factor of peace and stability in Southeast Europe. Albania’s fraternal bond with Kosova is natural. We are a nation divided into two states, so we share losses and victories, pains and successes. Albania has supported and will continue to support the Republic of Kosova membership in international organizations and will maximally intensify efforts for further recognition of its legal independence. Our strategic partnership must be deepened even further, for the benefit of our states, our nation,” he emphasized. Begaj appreciated the support the EU and the US provide for Kosova. “The unsparing support from the European Union and the United States of America, for us and for the entire Balkans, is a political as well as a geographical guarantee that the future of the countries of the region is not one of wars and divisions, but of dialogue and cooperation. Kosova’s application for EU membership and the passing of the proposal for the visa liberalization reinforced our conviction that the future of the Albanian nation will be that of being together in the big European family. The unprovoked and unjustified aggression of Russia towards Ukraine, as well as the attempts to extend the conflict to the Balkan region, make us understand even better today, how important it is for the Albanian factor in the Balkans, to be unified in its stances. The situation created recently during the serious provocations in the north of Kosova was a clear indication that we have no time to lose. Albania supports and appreciates the dialogue between Kosova and Serbia, with the mediation of the EU and the steadfast support of the US, for reaching a comprehensive agreement, which will have to focus on mutual recognition and respect for minorities. In these 15 years, Albania has proudly seen the birth and growth of the state of Kosova. I am fully convinced that in the years to come, Albania will see with equal pride the Euro-Atlantic journey of the state of Kosova; journey which will fulfill the dream of every Albanian inside and outside our lands,” said President of Albania during the reception hosted by Kosova Embassy in Tirana.