LOCAL PRESS

Vucic, Von der Layen: Serbia committed to EU-mediated talks (Beta/RTS/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a Wednesday telephone conversation with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen that Serbia remained committed to the EU-mediated negotiations, and to identifying a compromise required for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, with clearly stated restrictions. Vucic wrote in a post on Instagram that he was grateful to the European Commission for the assistance and support in the development and modernization of energy and transportation infrastructure in Serbia, as well as the personal commitment the president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had been offering on Serbia’s path to the EU. “Serbia is determined to continue the reform process to improve the lives of all citizens, and to achieve the status of a full-fledged member of the Union. In that context, the president of the European Commission underlined that Serbia’s future was in the EU, urging further important steps to be made along the path,” the President wrote.

Pristina’s Interpol membership request taken off agenda (RTS/RTV/Politika/Tanjug)

The so-called Kosovo’s Interpol membership bid has been taken off the agenda of the organisation’s General Assembly, Tanjug learns. The request had been included in the Interpol Executive Committee’s first draft agenda for a General Assembly session in Vienna, but was subsequently omitted from the final version. Pristina has made four bids for membership in Interpol to date – in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2018, and also submitted a request in 2019, but it was withdrawn shortly before a General Assembly session in Santiago. The only time the Interpol General Assembly has voted on a membership request from the so-called Kosovo was in 2018, when, despite support from Western powers, Pristina failed to secure admission to the organisation. With assistance from Russia, Spain, Cyprus, China, Belarus and many African states, Serbia succeeded in defending its arguments.

Dacic thanks NAM member states that stand with Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic thanked on Thursday in Baku the numerous Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states that stood with Serbia and were consistent with the principles of respect of international law by not recognising the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo. Dacic was speaking at a NAM Contact Group Summit. “Serbia is fully committed to peace and the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina,” he said. Based on the well-known “pacta sunt servanda” principle, Serbia will continue to insist on implementation of past agreements to make the process credible and enable it to continue in good faith, he said. “We are pursuing a responsible policy and doing everything to ensure Serbian interests, as well as regional peace and stability, are protected,” Dacic said. He said the NAM could and should always count on Serbia’s friendship and partnership. “We firmly believe in a world governed by dialogue and cooperation based on equality, a desire for compromise and an aspiration to maintain peace,” Dacic said. He said the UN objectives and principles defined in the UN Charter were the backbone of the fight for peace and a better world. “Equality of states, respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes and respect of diversity are, without a doubt, in circumstances of major changes in the international arena, even more current and more necessary today for achieving the most valuable objective – peace,” Dacic said. In his speech at the summit, dedicated to the fight against COVID-19, Dacic also said the coronavirus pandemic remained current and that global changes and challenges were becoming increasingly complex, and that it was now clearer that interstate and interregional cooperation was crucial for making responses.

Petkovic: Kurti seems fairly nervous when he mentions capitulation (Tanjug)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic says that Albin Kurti is quite nervous when he mentions (Serbia’s) capitulation. “How shocking, he uses the same vocabulary as the opposition in Belgrade!,” Petkovic wrote on Twitter: “Unfortunately for Bosko (Obradovic) and Mrs. Stamenkovska and Milos Jovanovic and Kurti, Serbia will not capitulate, and they should unite against Vucic! The people is with him.”

Dveri: Politicians who are silent on pan for Kosovo do not want EU to find fault with them (Beta)

The Dveri Movement’s leader Bosko Obradovic said on 1 March that all politicians who “haven’t said anything about accepting the Franco-German plan for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia will eventually have to accept it publicly so that the European Union couldn’t find fault with them”. “What do you think about the silence of (politicians) Dacic, Palma, Djilas, the Green, the multicolored and all the others who have decided to keep silent while Vucic is accepting the Franco-German plan for the recognition of the false state of Kosovo? All of them will eventually have to accept it publicly so that the EU would find no fault with them,” Obradovic said on Twitter. The Dveri leader said that in an interview with RTS Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic failed to respond to a demand by his Dveri, the Oath Keepers, the New Democratic Party of Serbia and the Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia to resign, and that an early vote be called over the alleged acceptance of the plan. “It hurts him. The acceptance of the Franco-German agreement, the violation of the Constitution and his presidential oath cost him legitimacy, and he must leave,” Obradovic explained.

Ljajic: Belgrade-Pristina agreement meaningful for overall regional stability (Beta/Politika)

The Social Democratic Party leader Rasim Ljajic said on 1 March that even though an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina to accept a road map to the normalization of the relationship would contribute greatly to overall regional stability, “we are still far from a durable solution.” In a comment for Beta, Ljajic said that “the only certainty is that the talks will continue, now about an implementation plan, which will also be a demanding job for the negotiators, not easy at all”. “Even though at first glance it appears to be a technical issue, rather than political, it involves a long string of issues that are actually sensitive political matter par excellence. The Community of Serb Municipalities and its powers is one such issue. I am not very optimistic that a quick compromise can be reached about it. Anything Pristina may offer will be too little for Belgrade, and anything Belgrade may request as a power for the Community will be too much for Pristina. It will be very difficult to find the extent of the powers that would suit both sides within the existing deadlines,” Ljajic said. “Instead of bragging or lamenting over something that hasn’t happened yet, we should support our negotiating team headed by Vucic, and the dialogue, to help identify mutually acceptable solutions.”

Tadic: Accepting the agreement means officially accepting Kosovo’s independence (Danas/Beta)

The signing of the Franco-German plan, that is, of the agreement on the path to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia, would not be an act of formally recognizing Kosovo’s independence, but it would unquestionably be an act of officially accepting Kosovo’s autonomy as a political reality, said Social Democratic Party (SDS) leader Boris Tadic.

Tadic, who is also Serbia’s former president, told Danas that, in a statement made following his meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Brussels on Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic simply avoided mentioning certain key aspects. “He keeps insisting that the implementation of the plan has yet to be agreed, so as to convince the public that nothing significant took place, what he is not saying is that he and Kurti accepted the content of the agreement. He is trying to confuse the public and thereby lead our citizens ‘into cold water’,” said Tadic. Tadic said it is “tragic” that the regime is presenting the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) in Kosovo as a prerequisite for accepting the European proposal, “thereby creating the illusion that our side is gaining something”. Asked what Serbia is to gain, Tadic said that “if this agreement, as it is, is signed and implemented, we are not looking at a future of donations and resolved issued, but one of national frustration and even greater danger of conflict”.

Tomic: Vucic’s promises, signatures are unconstitutional, invalid without referendum (Beta)

A professor at the Belgrade School of Law Zoran R. Tomic said on Wednesday that what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic might have “promised or signed” in Brussels had no constitutional weight or legal validity. Professor Tomic said to Beta that any decision on Kosovo and Metohija made by the Serbian president had to be verified by a majority of the people in a referendum. “In terms of any change to the status of Kosovo and Metohija, what Serbia’s political leadership might have promised verbally or in writing, or perhaps initialled or even already signed before international envoys and a representative of Kosovo, will have no constitutional weight or legal validity, or any legal effect, until those hypothetical moves by the Serbian president ‘donned constitutional clothes,” and such a fateful political act were verified by a majority in the parliament of Serbia and in a referendum,” the professor explained. According to Tomic, the question remains if a comprehensive agreement on “the normalization of neighborly relations based on equality” between Serbia and Kosovo will be reached at all, “including the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities under the rules that have been established already”.

Gori: Vucic-Kurti meeting is a step forward, implement all reached agreement (Beta)

The Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori has stated that this week’s meeting between the leaders of Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels represented a step forward in the process of normalization of the two sides’ relations, and underscored the importance of implementation of all agreements that have been reached within the dialogue. In an interview to Beta, Gori said that the European proposal for the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, which is on the table, was “an opportunity that has to be used” and that, from that viewpoint, Italy welcomed “the realistic and constructive stance” of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Commenting on the meeting between Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti on 27 February, when they harmonized stances regarding the agreement on the path towards normalizing relations, Gori said that there was “still much to do in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, primarily on implementing what has been agreed and on the finalization of the agreement.” “The obligations which the sides assumed in the agreements already reached within the dialogue, including the forming of the Community of Municipalities with the Serb majority in Kosovo, have to be implemented,” stated the Italian Ambassador.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija submitted to EULEX guarantees for Adzic and Trajkovic (RTS)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija submitted to the EULEX mission in the province the guarantees of the government of Serbia, which require that the arrested Serbs Miljan Adzic and Sladjan Trajkovic be allowed to be released from prison until the end of the defense proceedings. “The government of Serbia concluded by giving state guarantees that Adzic and Trajkovic will be available to the EULEX mission throughout the duration of the proceedings against them, if the mentioned persons are temporarily released from judicial custody in Podujevo and they are allowed to defend themselves from freedom,” the Office announced. As stated, with these state guarantees, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija will acquaint other international missions operating in the territory of the province. Miljan Adzic was arrested on 9 December 2022 at the Jarinje crossing, while Sladjan Trajkovic was arrested on 15 December at the same place. Their arrest was politically motivated as a form of terror by the institutions in Pristina against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, it was stated in the announcement.

We haven’t recognized Kosovo, our position remains the same (Novosti)

After talks in Brussels about the European proposal, the Romanian Foreign said that this country welcomes the willingness to compromise. After talks in Brussels about the European proposal on the path to normalization of relations, the Romanian Foreign Ministry said that this country welcomes the willingness to compromise. The Ministry also reminded that Romania did not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence and that position remained the same. “Romania fully supports the dialogue mediated by the EU, as the main channel for the efficient and comprehensive normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, which can bring permanent peace and stability to the region,” emphasized the Ministry. They added that they express the hope that the ongoing negotiations on the annex to the accepted agreement will quickly bring results, so that implementation can begin. “As you may know, Romania did not recognize the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and our position remains the same. However, without prejudice to our national position on the status of Kosovo, Romania has had a constructive approach when it comes to agreements on regional cooperation, visa liberalization and other issues”, the Ministry announced.

Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue forms temporary governing body of National Council of Albanian National Minority (RTS)

The Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue announced that, in accordance with Article 40 of the Law on National Councils of National Minorities, on 1 March, it adopted a decision establishing the Provisional Management Body of the National Council of the Albanian National Minority. In order to form a temporary governing body as efficiently as possible and to organise good and effective future electoral elections, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic scheduled a meeting with representatives of Albanian newspapers during the previous week. Representatives of international organisations were continuously involved in the entire process, especially Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia Jan Bratu. After the elections for the members of the national councils of national minorities held on 13 November 2022, the National Council of the Albanian National Minority was constituted at the session held on 14 December 2022, but the electoral lists that won the mandates failed to reach an agreement regarding by electing the president of the new convocation of the National Council. The Law on National Councils of National Minorities stipulates that in this case the national council is dissolved and a temporary governing body is established. In the past period, the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, on the basis of legal powers, undertook a number of different measures and activities with the aim of forming a temporary governing body and holding new elections for the national councils of the Albanian national minority. A series of consultations were held with representatives of Albanian lists, while all representatives of Albanian lists were handed a translation into Albanian of a complete set of legal norms, forms and procedures related to the conduct of electoral elections. An agreement was reached on the implementation of training for the electoral elections in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, at which, in addition to the five Albanian lists, other interested parties as well as the Albanian population interested in participating in the electoral elections would attend. In accordance with the Law, the Ministry will announce new elections for the members of the National Council of the Albanian National Minority within 60 days from the date of dissolution, which will be held through the electoral assembly within 45 days from the announcement. The Ministry welcomes the demonstrated readiness of four Albanian lists to participate in the temporary governing body in proportion to the number of votes won, as well as all Albanian lists to take part in the upcoming elections and work at full capacity with the aim of forming and effective functioning of the Albanian National Council, according to the statement.

NATO: We welcome further steps by Belgrade, Pristina on path to normalization (Beta)

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana welcomed Belgrade and Pristina’s further steps on the path to normalization and called for further progress. Geoana wrote on Twitter that he had a “good call” with EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and added that NATO remains strongly committed to peace and stability in the Western Balkans, including through KFOR in Kosovo.

REGIONAL PRESS

Becirovic: 1 March is one of the most important dates in B&H; Komsic believes that new generations will make B&H a better country than it is now (O Kanal)

Marking of the Independence Day of B&H commenced on Wednesday morning by raising a flag of B&H at Hum hill in Sarajevo. Officials from all levels of authorities attended this event. Later, flowers and wreaths were laid to monuments for victims of wars and deceased RB&H Army veterans. Member of B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic said that 1 March is one of the most important dates in a thousand-years-long history of B&H. Becirovic stressed that not many countries achieved their independence with so high percentage of support in a referendum on independence. B&H Presidency members Zeljko Komsic and Becirovic, as well as numerous delegations paid tribute to all fallen soldiers and first RB&H President Alija Izetbegovic at the ‘Kovaci’ Martyrs’ Cemetery in Sarajevo. Komsic and Becirovic also laid flowers at the ‘Eternal Fire’ monument, the monument to the murdered children of besieged Sarajevo and the Vraca Memorial Park. “This generation to which I belong, we did what was normal, I will not say expected, but normal. We defended our country, and it is up to these younger generations to build this country and make it better than it is today,” Komsic said. Becirovic said “we are proud people who want to live equally and freely.” “We want B&H to be equally comfortable for every person, for all citizens and for all peoples,” Becirovic underlined.

Konakovic congratulates 1 March (Avaz)

B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konakovic congratulated B&H Independence Day, stating that 31 years ago B&H citizens stated that they want a sovereign, independent, democratic and multiethnic B&H. “These are the principles that we advocate and which are more important than any political interests. This country will continue the path of the EU and NATO integration, it will continue to strengthen economy and state institutions in interest of all citizens of B&H,” said Konakovic.

RS officials criticize marking of B&H Independence Day: This day will never be our holiday (ATV)

RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said that Serb people will never accept 1 March as the Independence Day of B&H because this date is nothing more than a reminder to the “brutal annulment of will of one of the three constituent peoples” and “the initial capsule for a brutal armed conflict which brought grief to all three peoples in B&H”. SNSD delegate in the B&H House of Peoples (B&H HoP) Radovan Kovacevic visited the location where the Serb wedding guest, Nikola Gardovic, was killed. Kovacevic said that the fact that the RS celebrates the day when the peace agreement was signed and when B&H, acceptable to all its peoples, was formed, and the FB&H celebrates the day when a Serb was killed and when, through outvoting of the Serb people, the bloody war continued, just speaks for itself. Serbs from Sarajevo, that is from Istocno Sarajevo, said that they well know what 1 March is. B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac said 1 March is a day when the “first shot, first legitimate shot was fired against the Serb people”. Since then, Kosarac says, “the shots were made in a continuous way”. “Today, those shots are in some other forms, but, the RS is the general protection for the Serbs here”, Kosarac stated. Istocno Sarajevo Mayor Ljubisa Cosic said this day is for Serbs the moment when bad things started to happen in these parts. He emphasized that Serbs will always connect this date to bad things that happened and they will never celebrate it. Cosic also said: “If you feel like celebrating, celebrate freely. Consider it your holiday. We respect your feeling that you consider it your holiday, but it will never be ours.” Speaking about 1 March, B&H Presidency Chairwoman Zeljka Cvijanovic said “it is not my holiday and I do not receive congratulations on that occasion”. Cvijanovic noted that B&H does not have a law on holidays, and the only things that are celebrated jointly in B&H are the New Year and International Workers’ Day.

OHR congratulates B&H Independence Day (Avaz)

The OHR has issued a press release on the occasion of marking 1 March, B&H Independence Day. The press release reads: “Anniversaries represent an excellent opportunity to set the agenda and goals for the coming period. In its 31 years as an independent sovereign state B&H has come a long way. And a lot still needs to be done. First of all, we should congratulate the citizens of this country, encourage and support them on their shared path towards a better European future. It is up to their elected leaders to accelerate the necessary steps in order to achieve this goal. The international community stands ready to contribute to a functional and sustainable B&H.”

Murphy congratulates Independence Day (Oslobodjenje)

US Ambassador to B&H Michael Murphy published a blog post on the occasion of 1 March, the Independence Day of B&H, in which he congratulated this holiday and commented on the situation in the country. “We warmly congratulate the citizens of B&H on this Independence Day. March 1 is more than an opportunity to commemorate a historic moment. It is also an opportunity to celebrate B&H’s democratic progress over more than three decades, and to honor the hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice of citizens that have made it possible”, Murphy noted and he added that the independence is often hard-won, as the US knows, but it carries the opportunity for citizens to determine their own future.

Dodik: US Ambassador issued a series of tasks that this “independent” B&H should carry out under the leadership of the US (Srna/ATV)

The RS does not accept greetings on the occasion of 1 March and we perceive every greeting on this day as a pure provocation, because that date was a prelude to the civil war in B&H and the RS can never celebrate it, RS President Milorad Dodik said. When asked by Srna to comment on a text published by US Ambassador to B&H Michael Murphy, in which he congratulated B&H on 1 March – the so-called B&H Independence Day, Dodik said that the American Ambassador in his text issued a series of tasks that this “independent” B&H should carry out under the leadership of the US. “The claims that B&H belongs to the West are just wishes of the ambitious Ambassador, or maybe he knows something but failed to tell us. RS belongs to its citizens, and it has friends in the East and West, Murphy knows this very well and he cannot change this”, said Dodik.

Cvijanovic meets with Aliyev in Baku (BHT1)

B&H Presidency Chairwoman Zeljka Cvijanovic met with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in Baku on Wednesday. Cvijanovic and Aliyev discussed the improvement of bilateral relations between B&H and Azerbaijan. During the meeting, a special emphasis was placed on the fields of energy, agriculture and tourism, and a visit by the delegation of the government of Azerbaijan was also agreed in order to present the potential for investment in B&H, as well as preparations for the organization of a joint business forum. Cvijanovic invited Aliyev to his first official visit to B&H, and pointed out that, based on the decision of the B&H Presidency, the B&H Embassy in Azerbaijan will soon be opened, expressing the hope that this will create new perspectives for the improvement of cooperation.

Abazovic: Montenegro didn’t feel crisis that much (CdM)

Last year, the economic crisis was not felt that much in Montenegro, says outgoing PM Dritan Abazovic. “When Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began last year, we were worried, but when we concluded this year, everyone was relieved and our results are really impressive. Our GDP has passed €5bn, we have raised the salaries of our employees. Our minimum salary has reached €450, our average salary is over €700. For the first time, salary increases occurred in the education, police, and public administration sectors – that’s 50,000 people in Montenegro. We are one of the few countries in Europe that has not raised the price of electricity”, says Abazovic, answering questions from journalists in Skopje. As he points out, Montenegrin public finances are currently stable. He is convinced that 2023 will be even better. Although the government of Dritan Abazovic fell last August, he hopes to remain in that position until the end of his 4-year mandate. “The situation in Montenegro has improved significantly after three judges of the Constitutional Court were elected on Monday. That was a big burden on our European integration. For a long time, we could not reach a broader consensus. Now three judges have been elected and I think that a major stage in European integration has been passed”, says Abazovic, answering questions from journalists in Skopje. Presidential elections are coming up in Montenegro on 19 March. “Montenegro broke the political monopoly and entered the stage where the rule of law will prevail. We must fight even more strongly against corruption and organized crime. We have to leave the politics of the past, which lasted too long, behind us, if we want to see a more positive future”, says Abazovic. Montenegro was one of the rare countries in the world which, as he points out, had not changed its government almost since World War II. Abazovic predicts an optimistic future for the Balkans. “But for that we need leaders who are ready to make difficult decisions. This means that we cannot constantly watch how someone will react on Facebook or whether some nationalist will distract us from what should be the key path. I encourage Kurti and Vucic to find a solution to their problem. That is the most important thing for us in the region. I also encourage everyone to put an end to the paths with the politics of the past and to focus on the economy and progress instead of quarrels and nationalism. This is what the citizens expect from us and no one should hinder us in that”, Abazovic concludes.

Popa: Unblocking Constitutional Court insufficient, fourth judge should be elected (RTCG)

The EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa says that the unblocking of the Constitutional Court is not enough unless, in addition to that process, numerous processes that are pending in Montenegro, in the fields of justice and economy, are also unblocked. She calls for dialogue for the election of the fourth judge of the Constitutional Court. Popa has stated during TVCG’s Focus show that judicial reform and economic reform are yet to come.

She underlines that Montenegro must progress on the reform path towards the EU, but that functional institutions are necessary for that. According to her, the EU encourages the election of the fourth judge of the Constitutional Court. In her opinion, Montenegro has shown that it is capable of dialogue. Popa believes that it is of great importance to start reforming the judiciary, and that if Montenegro wants to progress towards the EU, judicial and economic reforms must go hand in hand. She adds that the EU expects Montenegro to strengthen these reforms, in order to fulfill the conditions for the fulfillment of other chapters. “We are looking for judicial and economic reforms at the same time in order to enable Montenegro to start closing chapters and show progress, and continue to move forward on the European path”, Popa has concluded.

Kovachevski – Kurti: Skopje welcomes EU proposal to normalize Pristina-Belgrade relations (MIA)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met with Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the sidelines of the Skopje Economic Forum on Wednesday. Talks focused on several topics, including advancing mutual cooperation, as well as future steps in promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.  “PM Kovachevski told his Kosovan counterpart Kurti that the Republic of North Macedonia supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and stands ready to contribute in that direction, and it actively supports Kosovo’s participation in various regional formats of cooperation. Kovachevski also welcomed the deal reached over accepting the EU-backed proposal to normalize relations between Kosovo and serbia, which will guarantee peace, stability, security and progress, not just that of the two countries, but the region as a whole,” the government said in a press release. He stressed that open issues need to be resolved through dialogue and highlighted North Macedonia’s readiness as OSCE Chair to assist in the process, particularly in the phase of implementing certain parts of the possible agreement. The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction with the level of economic cooperation, also discussing possibilities to implement joint projects in different areas.

Kurti: Mutual recognition is essence and central point of full normalization of Pristina-Belgrade ties (MIA)

Normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade can be achieved through mutual recognition, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti told the second Skopje Economic Forum on Wednesday. “Normalization of relations can be achieved through mutual recognition. As President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Chancellor Scholz said, mutual recognition is the essence and central point of full normalization of relations, and we are trying and working hard to have as a basis the EU proposal that was presented to me and to the president of Serbia. We accepted the text of that proposal, we gave it support in both capitals as well as in Brussels,” said Kurti. As regards EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell‘s announcement that the next high-level meeting for dialogue on the normalization of relations will be held in Skopje, Kurti said Borrell’s choice was because Skopje is the largest city closest to Pristina, but also because it is about a big impact on the whole region on the part of the country. North Macedonia, he added, is a country that is progressing in terms of democracy, law and European integration. Regarding whether citizens can expect changes in terms of the EU from the talks between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as regarding the Berlin process, Kurti expressed his belief that with the signing of the three agreements in Berlin, last year on 3 November under the chairmanship of Chancellor Scholz, the Berlin Process seemed to get a new start in terms of its implementation. He said the government has passed the three laws and they were all ratified in the parliament, noting that Pristina was the first to do that in the region. “We are looking forward to their implementation which would be to the benefit of all citizens. This is a concrete example of how the EU is working for the good of the region and all citizens,” Kosovo’s PM said.

Abazovic encourages Kosovo and Serbia to find common solution, as strong incentive for entire region (MIA)

In an address at the Skopje Economic Forum on Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic encouraged Kosovo and Serbia to reach a solution, noting that it would represent a strong incentive for the entire region. “Montenegro is the smallest country in the region, and as such it’s in our interest to maintain good neighborly relations, to promote tolerance, peace and to contribute to finding solutions to the open issues in the region. In this context, I want to encourage both sides – the Prime Minister of Kosovo and the President of Serbia to find a common solution for the relations between the two countries because that solution would be a strong incentive for the entire region. We support the intention of the international community to finally reach an agreement. Of course, we are not the ones to say what should be done, but Montenegro definitely wants to send a message from Skopje that we encourage both sides and the international community to finally reach an agreement and stabilize the relations in the region,” said Abazovic. According to the Montenegrin PM, in the context of regional cooperation in the Western Balkans, there are always various types of misunderstandings, but mainly they are between the politicians who are too focused on the past. “What we can change is the future, we cannot change the past. If we move the focus from the past and start talking about the future, I think that the region will have great opportunities for success and all Western Balkan countries can be more successful in the Euro-integrations process,” said Abazovic. On how to aid the relations in the region, Abazovic said he believes that several agreements like the ones reached as part of the Berlin Process are necessary. Abazovic said that Podgorica supports the Open Balkans initiative, because the idea is to have greater cooperation, and, he said, with greater and more honest cooperation, there will be no issues. “I am also personally a supporter of various initiatives such as Open Balkans, because when they place the focus on economic progress they should be accepted in the region. For reconciliation we need greater mobility of the citizens, I am not talking about changing borders, but making borders more flexible, like in the EU. Now we have an agreement which allows us to cross the borders using our ID cards. The next step is to be able to cross the borders without an ID card. If we want to be a part of the European family, we should also behave in a European manner, and they have a free market. That’s why the Montenegrin government supports this,” said Abazovic. Abazovic assessed that Open Balkans “woke up” the Berlin Process and it represents positive competition. “I consider both initiatives to be almost identical. But it’s always good to have competition, because it pushes you to offer a better option,” said Abazovic, stressing the advantage of Open Balkans as an initiative that originates from the region itself, and it doesn’t represent a replacement for the Euro-integration, but a tool for a quicker integration. He also spoke about the importance of joint infrastructure projects to connect the region, because, he said, that is the future. “We are a tourist country and it is our ambition to make people visit Montenegro,” said the Montenegrin Prime Minister.

Kovachevski: Government prepared to talk to supporters of country’s European perspective (Alsat-M)

The parliament dismissed Wednesday deputy ministers of defense, agriculture and education, Bashkim Asani, Abdulshukur Abedini and Lulzim Aliu respectively, with 62 “yes” votes. The parliament session resumed with the election of the new deputy ministers. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski has proposed Tiron Jajaga for new deputy minister of defense, Viktorija Avramovska Madikj for justice, Vjolca Berisha for agriculture, Maja Manoleva for health and Agim Nuhiu for education. Kovachevski said the election of the deputy ministers would complete the government reshuffle, noting that “the parliament has demonstrated it has progressive forces and I hope the parliamentary majority will continue to enlarge.” The PM referred to the government’s accomplishments in the field of economy during a period of crisis, as well as the opening of the EU accession negotiations. “We are now heading for an exceptionally important period that requires responsibility, and the government is open for all those who want to support the country’s European perspective,” said Kovachevski.

Government approves the 2023-2025 National Plan for European Integration (Radio Tirana)

The Council of Ministers approved the National Plan for European Integration 2023-2025.

The government’s decision tasks the Minister of State and the Chief Negotiator to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the 2023-2025 national plan for European integration with the ministers and/or heads of the institutions responsible for chairing the inter-institutional working groups for European integration (GNPIE), as well as the responsible negotiator of each chapter of the EU acquis. The negotiator responsible for the EU acquis chapter reports weekly to the Minister of State and the Chief Negotiator on the progress of the implementation of the  2023-2025 national plan for European integration. The Minister of State and Chief Negotiator is tasked to report every 3 months to the Council of Ministers on the progress of the implementation of the 2023-2025 national plan for European integration. The Ministry of Finance and Economy, in cooperation with the Minister of State and the Chief Negotiator, will monitor the inclusion by the ministries and other central institutions, in the medium-term budget program, of the financial needs for the implementation of the short-term and medium-term priorities, foreseen in the 2023-2025 national plan for European integration.

The salary of the military is increased by 7%, Peleshi: Let’s reach the average of NATO countries (Radio Tirana)

The salary for the military is increased by 7%. The decision was communicated this Wednesday by the Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi, and it enters into force from today. Peleshi stated that the salaries of the military today are dignified, but the government’s goal is to reach the average of NATO countries. “Salary increase of 7% from today for all military, from the basic military to the highest ranks. Salary increase is no longer a spontaneous but annual phenomenon, until the military are paid more and treated with dignity. Even today the levels are dignified, but we want to reach the NATO average,” said Peleshi. The Minister of Defense further informed that from 2 March, a mobile recruitment point for young personnel will be placed in the center of Tirana. “From tomorrow, a mobile recruitment point will be set up in the center of Tirana, which will then go to other cities,” said Peleshi.