LOCAL PRESS

Vucic with Hill about talks in Brussels and formation of ZSO (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill on Friday to inform him of the most recent round of the Brussels dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. “We agreed that urgent formation of a Community of Serb Municipalities is a priority, as well as that much more effort, work and discussions are needed to solve the accumulated problems in everyday life of citizens in Kosovo and Metohija,” Vucic wrote on Instagram. Vucic thanked Hill for an invitation to attend an upcoming Summit for Democracy, to be held in an online format this month to discuss the significance of democratic values in the world today, as well as global economic perspectives. “We also exchanged views on Serbia’s plans regarding diversification of energy sources and energy efficiency, as well as on many other matters of mutual interest,” Vucic added.

Vucic meets with MacLeod (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the UK Ambassador to Serbia Sian MacLeod on Friday to inform her of the details of recent discussions in Brussels as well as of further steps aimed at the soonest possible establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija. “We also discussed intensification of economic cooperation as there is ample space for an increase of British investments in Serbia, as well as for growth of trade,” Vucic wrote on Instagram. Vucic added that he had thanked MacLeod for an invitation to attend the upcoming coronation ceremony of King Charles III, and noted that this was a special honour to Serbia.

Dacic: Reactions to Vucic’s approach in Brussels positive (Tanjug/Politika)

Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Thursday reactions in the EU, the US and elsewhere to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s approach to the most recent round of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels were positive. Speaking to Tanjug in Baku, where he attended a Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group Summit, Dacic said that, at the same time, pressure on Serbia was culminating ahead of discussions on an implementation plan Pristina’s PM Albin Kurti had sought to avoid. He said the EU had rejected a proposal by Kurti that a framework agreement be signed without an implementation plan. “It would not have been the first time for them that something has been signed but never implemented, because that is just what happened with a Community of Serb Municipalities,” he said. Dacic said some new ideas were emerging now that were, in fact, old ideas – internationalisation of the issue of ethnic Albanians in the so-called Presevo Valley in the south of central Serbia. “It just so happened that they are at the State Department right now,” Dacic added ironically, referring to a recent Facebook post by Saip Kamberi, an ethnic Albanian representative in the Serbian parliament. Dacic said this was about putting more pressure on Vucic to reduce Serbia’s insistence on the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities.

Petkovic to Konrad: Pristina avoiding obligation to form ZSO (RTV/Beta)

Belgrade remains genuinely interested in reaching a compromise solution in the dialogue with Pristina, except for several clear limitations, but that stance was once again met by an absence of understanding from the other side, the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic told the German Ambassador to Serbia Anke Konrad. During a meeting with Konrad about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the political and security situation in Kosovo, Petkovic said that, during the 27 February negotiations in Brussels, the Kosovo delegation “in keeping with the usual habit, were attempting at any cost to avoid the obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO)”, the Office stated. He told the Ambassador that Belgrade would persevere in attempts to secure solid and reliable mechanisms for protecting the position and rights of the Serb people in Kosovo, and would therefore not give up on the implementation of the Brussels agreements, primarily on the forming of the ZSO, the statement reads. Petkovic also said that Germany, as an EU member and a country interested in a lasting solution to the Kosovo issue, could contribute to the unambiguous support to those forces in the Western Balkans which promoted dialogue, cooperation and common interest as the means for solving problems, according to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

People’s Party opposed signing of Agreement on roadmap for normalizing relations between Kosovo, Serbia (Beta)

The presidency of the People’s Party has unanimously decided that the party’s priority in the period to come will be fighting the signing of an agreement on a roadmap for normalizing ties between Kosovo and Serbia, the party announced on 2 March. The People’s Party said that signing the document would be a national catastrophe and treason and called for putting political and ideological differences aside at “this decisive time for the people and state”. “We are open to cooperating with anyone who opposes signing this humiliating treaty. We demand the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and support an initiative to have the parliament hold an emergency session on Kosovo and Metohija,” the party said. It also said that it was necessary to resist “treason”, and that accepting Kosovo as a neighboring state called into question the survival of the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija, would tear off a piece of state territory and consent to the idea that the 1999 NATO aggression was justified.

Stano: Brussels meeting was not about signing EU proposal (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on Thursday a Brussels meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Pristina’s PM Albin Kurti on Monday had not been about signing an EU proposal. “It was never about signature… This meeting on Monday was about discussing the EU proposal which was then agreed by both sides, that no further discussions are needed on this EU proposal, which is becoming an agreement on the path to normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia,” Stano said at a press briefing in response to a question whether the EU proposal was final or could potentially be amended. “What we stated also very clearly is that there was an understanding that further work will continue when it comes to discussing the implementation and making sure that there are concrete steps on the way towards normalisation,” Stano said.

Gori: Reforms need to continue, relations to be normalized with Kosovo for faster EU integration (Beta)

Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori said on 1 March that it was necessary to speed up the process of Serbia’s integration with Europe and that this could be achieved by stepping up reforms, the normalization of relations with Kosovo, constructive cooperation with Croatia and alignment with the EU’s foreign policy. “From the Italian perspective, it is important to speed up the process of enlargement, especially with regard to the geopolitical situation that we have in Europe today,” Gori said at a political gathering at the University Rectorate in Belgrade. Gori said that despite steps last year concerning North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans remained slow. Serbia, he said, needs to work on several areas to expedite the process. The first is stepping up reforms, Gori said and added that significant progress had been made in reforming the justice system, but that there was a long road ahead of Serbia. The second is normalizing relations with Kosovo and applying previous agreements. He added that, to speed up its integration into Europe, Serbia needed to have a constructive relationship with Croatia and align its foreign policy with the EU’s with regard to the conflict in Ukraine. The Italian Ambassador named three possible scenarios for the future enlargement process. The first is leaving things as is and taking small steps in a very long process, while in the second there would be a geopolitical increase in speed due to the situation in Ukraine, which, he said, the Western Balkans should not be excluded from. The third scenario, he said, would be an attempt to “mend” the enlargement process and, with regard to that, ideas coming from civil society would need to be reviewed, such as accession according to stages or inclusion in the unified European market.

Deception of Serbs, deception of Russia (RIA Novosti/Tanjug/Sputnik/B92)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assessed today that West’s approach to the problem of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is identical to how the West treated the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. He assessed today that the West’s approach to the problem of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is identical to how the West treated the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. “It’s the same story: the deception of the Serbs regarding the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo, the deception of Russia regarding the Minsk Agreements on Ukraine,” Lavrov said at the Raisina dialogue forum, reports RIA Novosti. The West did not even intend to fulfill the Minsk agreements, Lavrov said, adding that they also did not intend to implement the agreement regarding the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

Zakharova: Russia concerned over allegations of Serbia’s involvement in arms sale to Ukraine (Beta/RIA Novosti)

Moscow is deeply concerned over allegations about Serbia’s involvement in the sale of weapons to Ukraine, the spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated on 2 March. “We are carefully monitoring this matter; we have followed the recent debate on this subject in the Serbian parliament. The information that’s around, naturally, causes our deepest concern,” Zakharova stated in a comment published on the Ministry’s website. Zakharova said that this was “an extremely serious issue” from the standpoint of Russian-Serbian relations, adding that it was “necessary to rely on facts,” RIA Novosti has reported. Earlier, allegations appeared in Russian media and on Telegram channels about Serbia having secretly delivered to Ukraine, via Turkey and Slovakia, 3,500 rockets for the Grad multiple launch rocket systems. The Russian portal mash.ru recently reported that Ukraine had received a delivery of 3,500 M21 rockets of the 120mm caliber from the Serbian company Krusik. The portal reported that the rockets were ordered from Krusik by the Canadian company JNJ Export Import, that they were flown from Serbia to Turkey, where a Turkish company handled the transit and delivered the shipment to Slovakia, and then to Ukraine. The Krusik company announced this week that it was in no way connected with the sale of rockets to the end user in Ukraine. Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic recently said Serbia was not exporting weapons to Ukraine.

Hill: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue significantly affecting US investments in Serbia (Beta)

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill stated on thursday that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was one of the issues that affected further investments by US companies in Serbia, because peace and stability are the most important for the companies. What the U.S. companies are interested the most in, when they invest anywhere, is the issue of peace and stability, Hill told Beta. He added that he thought the companies would consider the most the issues like the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, because such issues could help a lot in attracting more investments. Peace and stability, as he put it, make Serbia “such a valuable investment destination.” He pointed out in the interview that the US companies that mostly operated in the technology sector in Serbia, were satisfied with the business climate and with the young people working for them. US companies are impressed with Serbia, with the work of young people, mainly because the US companies are in the technology sector, where young people work more often, he said, adding that many possibilities existed for new investments.

We expect implementation of all agreements to date – Slovak MFA (Tanjug)

The Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the outcome of the most recent meeting in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was a major step towards normalisation of relations between the two sides. In a statement sent to Tanjug, the ministry said this could be an impetus to further talks leading to a legally binding agreement on comprehensive normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations. From both parties, we expect implementation of all agreements reached to date and a constructive approach in further rounds of the talks, the ministry said, noting that it fully supported Miroslav Lajcak and Josep Borrell, the EU facilitators in the dialogue.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H CC passes temporary measure banning application of RS Law on Immovable Property until B&H CC’s final decision (FTV)

As a temporary measure, the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H put out of force the Law on Immovable Property used for the functioning of public authorities in the RS. They adopted and consolidated the motions of members of the B&H Presidency, Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic, and the motions of 11 representatives in the B&H House of Representatives (B&H HoR) and five delegates in the B&H House of Peoples (B&H HoP). B&H CC Vice President Zlatko Knezevic was the only one that voted against this decision. The decision enters into force immediately and lasts until the final decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H. B&H CC President Valerija Galic believes that the measure was adopted, among other things, because of the possible harmful consequences that could arise if the Law were to enter into force. “Weighing, so to speak, the arguments for and against the adoption of a decision on a temporary measure, the Court nevertheless decided that there are more arguments for adoption of this temporary measure. The Constitutional Court assessed that there are indeed reasons to adopt this temporary measure from the aspect of legal certainty”, Galic explained for members of the press. High Representative Christian Schmidt previously made a decision suspending the disputed Law, which was supposed to enter into force on 28 February. Galic was asked by reporters if they were under any pressure, or if the Office of the High Representative (OHR) influenced their decision in any way. “There was really no pressure to make this decision. The OHR did not contact us, I really responsibly claim, you know that the High Representative made a notification, in fact he extended his decision that he made earlier”, Galic underlined. The final decision on the Law on Immovable Property will be made by the Constitutional Court of B&H at its plenary session.

Becirovic welcomes B&H CC’s temporary measure regarding RS Law on Immovable Property (N1)

Cabinet of the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Becirovic issued a statement, welcoming the B&H CC’s temporary measure. The statement reads: “The motion of the member of the B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic to the CC of B&H is a response to the specific moment that B&H faces, and expresses the need for legal regulation of the issue of state property by the law of B&H. This motion encouraged the most important actors, including the actions of the HR in B&H who passed a decision on the temporary suspension of the controversial law in the B&H entity of the RS.” Becirovic’s statement underlined that the CC’s decision confirmed that submitting of the motion was right thing to do. He emphasized that state property belongs to state of B&H and that they will act resolutely to every attempt of illegal and unconstitutional acting of lower levels of authorities. Becirovic stressed that B&H has an exclusive right to decide about issues related to state property.

Zvizdic: State of B&H is only owner of state property (BHT1)

The Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H adopted a temporary measure that put the RS Law on Immovable Property out of force. Speaker of B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Denis Zvizdic stated that state of B&H is the only owner of state property. Zvizdic underlined that it should be clear to everyone that entities cannot decide about this matter.

Dodik announces that new Law on Immovable Property of the RS is being prepared (O Kanal)

The Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H adopted a temporary measure, prohibiting the application of the Law on Immovable Property in the RS until a final decision is made. RS President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, as well as his coalition partners in the RS, jointly condemned the B&H CC’s decision. He said this is a way in which “they want to take away our property”. Dodik told a press conference that ruling coalition partners in the RS agreed that they will jointly continue to work on this matter. “Today’s decision of the Constitutional Court is shameful, because there is nothing legal in it. It says the reason for this decision is the possibility of destabilization, i.e. the complexity of that matter – that has no basis in law”, Dodik said. He added that RS officials will know what to do and how to react to this. “The property that belongs to the RS, in all these decades, since its formation until today, will belong to it still, and we will continue to fight, we are immediately preparing a new law”, Dodik confirmed. Dodik also said that the B&H CC’s decision only temporarily puts the law out of effect. “And we will pass that new law again, probably before the Constitutional Court annuls the one that it wants to annul, but that is the way we fight for it and we will not give up. What is definitely the position of the ruling coalition is that we will not accept a discussion at the B&H level on any document that regulates any property,” Dodik underlined. Dodik also said that “unsubstantiated excuses” are proof that the B&H CC is the “legal cover” of the OHR, which the day before the entry into force of the property law requested its suspension and after which Sarajevo’s political elite rushed to the CC with motions.

Cvijanovic: With its decisions, B&H CC undermined rule of law in B&H (ATV)

Serb member and Chairwoman of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic said that with its decisions, the CC undermined the rule of law in B&H, and turned the rule of law into a farce. Cvijanovic stressed that the B&H CC is an institution that contributed to the discord of B&H, and that it lost any credibility a long time ago, considering that verdicts are continuously passed according to political orders, not legal criteria. “Instead of protecting constitutionality, it is creating new rules, and as for foreign judges, it is hard to believe that they have ever read the Constitution of B&H. The property unequivocally belongs and will belong to the RS. There is no authority that can dispute this, just as there is no letter in the Constitution that says otherwise,” Cvijanovic was quoted as saying.

Viskovic: B&H CC has shown again that it is the extended arm of interests of certain international circles (ATV)

RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said that for the umpteenth time, the B&H CC has shown that it is the extended arm of the interests of certain circles of the international community. Viskovic noted that this kind of behavior does not build B&H, as they think in Sarajevo. “When it comes to the Constitutional Court, nothing can surprise us anymore, even when, just four days after the supposed High Representative, they make a practically identical decision, this time only packaged in a legal form,” Viskovic was quoted as saying.

Stevandic: B&H CC tried to correct Schmidt’s mess, thereby humiliating him (ATV/FTV/RTRS/BHT1/N1)

Speaker of the RS parliament Nenad Stevandic pointed out that in this way, the CC tried to correct Christian Schmidt’s mess, thereby humiliating him. Stevandic noted that the law will be adopted in another form, adding that the FB&H has never changed the law on forests and forest land, but has been applying it for 14 years despite the decisions of the CC. Stevandic pointed out that the RS has mechanisms to protect its property and is not ready to give in as well as that its parliamentary competences give it legal force. Stevandic added that this is why the RS parliament will prepare the third law on property. Stevandic said the temporary measure now disabled the Law and “we will have to adopt it in a different form so that we are able to maintain, I repeat, the legal continuity of the RS’ decisions”. Stevandic said that the RS parliament passes laws in areas where its competence exists, as well as to “prove how pointless were decisions of the High Representative and the CC.” Stevandic noted that the Constitutional Affairs Commission of the RS parliament has submitted responses to the CC regarding a number of laws, including the one related to the property. Stevandic assessed that the CC humiliated (HR) Christian Schmidt with this decision, “trying to correct the error of the illegal HR by passing a temporary measure”.

RS opposition believes that property should belong to the RS, but that political games are being played when it comes to this issue (FTV/BHT1)

The Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, as a temporary measure, put out of force the Law on Immovable Property used for the functioning of public authorities in the RS. The opposition, on the other hand, says that the property should belong to the RS, but they say that political games are being played when it comes to this issue. “This whole ‘tapeworm’ situation has been going on for so long and it seems that the intention of all the political participants is for it to continue and not be resolved. On the one hand, the (RS) government is writing laws, on the other hand, appeals are coming from the FB&H. Those tensions suit those in power”, assessed PDP leader Branislav Borenovic. Borenovic adds that this issue can be easily resolved on the basis of the agreement from 2012, if there is political will, which was signed by six political parties from all three peoples from both entities. SDS’ Vukota Govedarica stressed that there is no solution for this issue at this moment, adding that a proper solution will not be found until serious political compromise is reached between the RS and the FB&H. Govedarica added that when it comes to SDS, property is in exclusive possession of the entities. Govedarica said that there is a possibility for the RS parliament to convene soon and to pass a new law.

Murphy and Kavazovic welcome HR’s decision to suspend Law on Immovable Property of RS (Avaz)

US Ambassador to B&H Michael Murphy on Thursday met with Head of the Islamic Community of B&H Reis Husein effendi Kavazovic. “It was my pleasure to continue the dialogue with the Reis on support of USA to reconciliation, rule of law and key reforms in B&H”, the US Embassy stated. The US Embassy added that both Murphy and Kavazovic welcomed the recent decision of the High Representative (Christian Schmidt) to suspend the Law on Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authority of the RS and Murphy reiterated the stance of US that B&H is the owner of the state property.

B&H CEC adopts decision on establishing of results of indirect elections for FB&H President and Vice Presidents (O Kanal/Nova BH/Hayat)

At its 25th session held on Thursday, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H adopted a decision on establishing results of indirect elections for the President and the Vice-Presidents of the FB&H. The CEC determined that these elections were held in line with the B&H Election Law and confirmed that Lidija Bradara is the new FB&H President, while Refik Lendo and Igor Stojanovic are new FB&H Vice-Presidents. Appeals can be submitted within two days since the publishing of the B&H CEC’s decision. Nova BH comments that if there is no appeal, the 30-day period for the formation of the new FB&H government begins. However, considering Lendo’s earlier views, it is difficult to expect that he will give his consent, commented the presenter. Hayat noted that it is very unlikely that a new FB&H government will be formed by 2 April as Lendo previously announced that he will not support a government led by SDP B&H’s Nermin Niksic.

B&H HoP appoints members of commissions (FTV)

The B&H House of Peoples (B&H HoP) adopted decisions on appointing members of the standing commissions of this House and appointing members of the joint commissions of both Houses of the B&H parliament. Also, a decision was adopted on appointment of members to the parliamentary delegations in international organizations from the B&H HoP. With this all, the inaugural session of the B&H HoP was concluded. Marina Pendes was appointed a Chairwoman of the B&H HoP’s Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission. Safet Softic will be a Chairman of the Commission on Foreign and Trade Policy, Customs, Transportation and Communications. Snjezana Novakovic Bursac will be at the helm of the Commission on Finance and Budget. B&H HoP speaker Nikola Spiric (SNSD) said that members of the joint commissions of both Houses of the B&H parliament must still decide on the leadership, i.e. who will assume which post, but he says that will be completed soon. He expects this all to be completed in next seven days. Spiric said after that, both Houses of the B&H parliament will be able to work in full capacity. There was some criticism stated regarding the appointments to the joint commissions. New members of the Joint Commission on Supervision of the work of Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) of B&H are: Sredoje Novic, Nikola Spiric, Marina Pendes, Ilija Cvitanovic, Kemal Ademovic and Safet Softic.

Leaders of SNSD, SP RS, ‘United Srpska’, DEMOS, NPS and NDP sign new coalition agreement that will be valid until 2026 (ATV)

The leaders of SNSD, SP RS, ‘United Srpska’, DEMOS, NPS and NDP signed a new coalition agreement on Thursday, which will be valid until 2026. After the meeting of the ruling coalition in the RS, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik told the media in Banja Luka that the abovementioned agreement implies the implementation of the election results, and that SNSD, SP RS, ‘United Srpska’, DEMOS, NPS and NDP agreed that the number of holders of positions in the authorities should be in accordance with the election results. Dodik stated that the agreement that was signed on Thursday has several new things compared to the one from four years ago, the first of which is that this coalition will not expand to include new political parties. Dodik added that the distribution of positions will not change regardless of future events. DEMOS leader Nedeljko Cubrilovic said “this coalition is determined to implement all the policies it advocated in the election campaign”. “I believe that we can maintain both political and every other security in the next four years,” Cubrilovic underlined. SP RS leader Petar Djokic said that he is convinced that by assuming full responsibility in this way, “we are continuing the policy that received the full support of the citizens in the elections, and we are taking upon ourselves the responsibility to implement that policy in the next four years”. NPS leader Darko Banjac said that the abovementioned agreement defines the relations between SNSD, SP RS, ‘United Srpska’, DEMOS, NPS and NDP. “A strong and stable RS will depend a lot on our mutual relations in the future,” Banjac pointed out. Leader of ‘United Srpska’ Nenad Stevandic stated that the coalition council will agree on a unified national and economic policy, development projects and regional issues.

Cvijanovic addresses Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group Summit in Baku (RTRS)

Addressing the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement in Baku on Thursday, Chairwoman  and the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic stated that the world urgently needs a reaffirmation of the principles of peaceful coexistence between states and peoples, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs and said that, within the framework of the tripartite B&H Presidency, she strongly advocates for these values. Cvijanovic emphasized that this gathering is taking place at a time when the world, just like in the period when the Movement was created, desperately needs peace, relaxation, dialogue, restraint from the intention to make a problem bigger. Cvijanovic noted that, while people are dying, a huge part of the world has turned into fan camps that put out the fire with gasoline. Cvijanovic emphasized that in the spiral of violence and war hysteria, those who appeal for peace and dialogue, refusing to align themselves with one of the opposing camps, are viewed with suspicion, almost with hostility. The Presidency Chairwoman stated: “Unfortunately, we know very well what war is, what sanctions are and what consequences they bring, because we still feel them today, 28 years after the end of the armed conflict. This is why we sincerely sympathize and mourn for every lost life in the world.” The Presidency Chairwoman stressed that the principles that the Non-Aligned Movement is based on are the only possible path to peace and long-term stabilization of the current geopolitical and security challenges.

Dodik meets with Sattler in Banja Luka (RTRS)

RS President Milorad Dodik met with EU Special Representative (EUSR) and Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H Johan Sattler in Banja Luka on Thursday. On this occasion, Dodik pointed out that the RS supports B&H’s European path, on which it wants to be visible in accordance with the Coordination Mechanism and with full respect for its constitutional position, as well as the Dayton structure of B&H. Dodik reiterated that 14 key priorities from the Opinion of the European Commission (EC) should be addressed together. Dodik told Sattler that he expects agreement “at the joint level” on solving and unblocking many important strategic projects in the near future, saying that the RS will not tolerate further blockades. Referring to Sattler’s congratulation to “all citizens” on the occasion of 1 March, Dodik said that 1 March can be a holiday of the Bosniak people and that the RS will not dispute that, but that it is not and cannot be a common holiday in B&H. The RS President pointed out that there is no law stipulating that 1 March is a holiday in B&H, and added that this date was a prelude to “the civil war” in B&H and that RS can never celebrate it. Sattler told RTRS that the meeting with Dodik was constructive and that they discussed the next steps on the EU path. Sattler specified that there are always some disagreements, which is normal, but he believes that they agree on key matters “which is the need to move forward”.

Djukanovic: Montenegro will regain stability and become EU member in next 5 years (CdM)

“We need a victory in the presidential elections, a victory in the presidential elections will launch us in the parliamentary elections so that after thjat DPS will once again become the backbone of state politics”, said the leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and the current President of the state Milo Djukanovic last night in Rozaje. He spoke about the importance of the upcoming presidential elections, and expressed his belief that the parliamentary elections would follow after that. He emphasized three main political goals: the defense of the civic concept of the state, a strong investment cycle, economic development, an increase in the standard of living and the achievement of EU membership in the next 5 years. In this regard, Djukanovic pointed out that the most important thing was to defend the civil state of Montenegro and to defend its multi-ethnic and multi-religious harmony. He also added that “we must urgently return to the policy of a strong investment cycle in Montenegro and dynamic economic growth and development during that period, but immediately from the first day after that victory. All political engagement makes sense if there is one product in the final, and that product is the rising standard of living of the people. And thirdly, I think that this is the period in which Montenegro must become a member of the EU, and in that 5-year period Montenegro will be a member of the EU. I know very well what we still need to do, and I know very well how we can do it. And if we win the presidential and parliamentary elections, and if after that we, as a responsible government, return to reforms, we would need no more than two to three years to finish all the work on that issue and say – we are ready for membership”, Djukanovic said. The President noted that the past two and a half years were years of destruction of all those values that characterized modern Montenegro until 30 August 2020. “Today, as we can see, we are witnessing a complete institutional paralysis of Montenegro. The origin of the problem is functionality – in an illegitimate government. We had one government that was a service of the Serbian Orthodox Church, that government fell. Another government came, which is also a service of big-state nationalism and which is a service of the greed for power of certain people who today sit in that government without any leeway and with 4% support take the responsibility of managing the state. If people thought that they should run the country, they would give them 40%, not 4%. So even then, when they lost legitimacy in parliament, as you can see, they do everything to prolong their importance or the idea of their non-existent value for a few days”, said Djukanovic. He recalled that the government that came in two and a half years ago drove away investors and systematically destroyed the image that Montenegro had had as a tourist destination. He said that the new government has brought healthcare to a state where oncology patients do not have timely and adequate treatment. Djukanovic emphasized the poor position of pensioners and said that such attitude towards the oldest population had to be corrected. He said that we had to end the agony created by the current government and that the first opportunity is in the elections on 19 March, and then, according to him, the parliamentary elections would follow. “Only with those two victories do we end the agony I was talking about. We return to a stable Montenegro, a Montenegro that will use its real resources to ensure a dynamic economic and democratic development and become a member of the EU”, Djukanovic pointed out.

Abazovic: Support for Becic or Milatovic possible (CdM)

Outgoing PM Dritan Abazovic says that URA will soon make a final decision on who they will support in the presidential elections on 19 March, and that it is very possible that those will be the candidates of the Europe Now movement Jakov Milatovic, or the Democrats’ leader Aleksa Becic. Abazovic, answering the questions of journalists in Tuzi, has said that URA supports civic candidates. When asked whether the presidential elections will affect the formation of the government in the City of Podgorica, Abazovic points out that the formation of the government in Podgorica should be implemented as soon as possible. He stresses that the Democratic Font, URA, the Democrats and Europe Now movement are functioning beyond all expectations.

Parliament elects deputy-ministers, ends government reshuffle session (Kanal 5/Sitel/Alsat M)

The parliament elected Tiron Jajaga for Deputy Minister of Defense, Viktorija Avramovska Madikj – Deputy Minister of Justice, Vjolca Berisha – Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Maja Manoleva – Deputy Minister of Health and Agim Nuhiu – Deputy Minister of Education and Science on Thursday. All deputy ministers were elected unanimously, with Jajaga receiving 64 ‘yes’ votes, while all others getting 65. The vote marked the end of the government reshuffle session that began three weeks ago. On Monday, Krenar Loga was elected Minister of Justice, Fatmir Mexhiti – Minister of Health, Azir Aliu – Minister of Information Society and Administration, and Kaja Shukova – Minister of Environment and Physical Planning.

North Macedonia, Bulgaria MFAs hold consular consultations in Sofia (MIA)

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and Bulgaria held Wednesday in Sofia consular consultations at the level of heads of consular affairs, discussing a number of consular issues that directly affect the countries’ citizens. Specific attention was paid to the ways for improvement of mutual communication regarding changes in legislation related to the entry and stay at the territory of each country and its implementation, communication on detained citizens, cooperation in consular cases, especially when they involve medical treatment or repatriation, manner and procedure for issuance of registry documents, setting up a point for direct communication in urgent cases and other matters in the field. Both sides expressed satisfaction from prior cooperation in the field and shared information on the challenges they are facing, while exchanging proposals for enhancement of cooperation, the MFA said in a press release. North Macedonia-Bulgaria consular cooperation is based on the 1999 bilateral consular convention. The latest consultations took place at the initiative of North Macedonia’s MFA, the first of its type in the past decade.

110 years of diplomatic relations with Bulgaria, Ambassador Kirov: We will help you enter the EU (Radio Tirana)

The presentation ceremony of the new Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria Ivaylo Kirov took place on the occasion of the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Friendship between the two countries. The new Ambassador Ivaylo Kirov spoke about strengthening the cooperation between the two countries as well as assistance towards the European path.  “First of all, there is a long friendship between our peoples. It is not only 110 years of diplomatic relations, but the relations between the two countries date back to the time of renaissance,” said the Ambassador. As far as projects are concerned the newly appointed ambassador of Bulgaria stated: “We will help with infrastructure projects and we will help Albania to be a part of the EU as soon as possible. We will cooperate in the economy and the development of tourism. He has connections and memories with Albania since his childhood in 1984, during visits to Tirana and Durres. Kirov thanked Albania for the help and cooperation with the Bulgarian community living in our country.

Skeates discusses the implementation of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Albania (Radio Tirana)

The British Special Coordinator for Illegal Immigration Stuart Skeates visited Albania this week to discuss the implementation of the Joint Agreement between the United Kingdom and Albania on bilateral relations. This visit also includes the advancement of work between the two countries to deal with illegal immigration. He also traveled to Kukes to meet with partner organizations that work to promote economic development and create new job opportunities. In Tirana, Skeates held constructive meetings with the head of SPAK Altin Dumani, the Deputy Minister of Justice Klajd Karameta and other representatives of the Albanian government and business.

Albania opens Embassy in Azerbaijan (Radio Tirana)

Albania has opened a diplomatic mission in Azerbaijan. The government decided today at the meeting of the Council of Ministers to open the Albanian embassy in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku. The expenses for the opening of this diplomatic mission will be borne by the budget of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for the year 2023. Our country’s diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan were established on 2 September 1993. With Azerbaijan, there is an ever-increasing trend of political contacts, especially in recent years. Azerbaijan is on the list of countries whose citizens enter the Republic of Albania without a visa for a short-term stay. There are 8 signed agreements and several others are in process. There has been an ever-increasing interest during the intensification of cooperation in the field of economy, especially in the field of energy. Cooperation in the energy sector is considered one of the most important areas of our economic relations. The completion of the TAP gas pipeline works is of strategic importance for strengthening cooperation in this field. Albania is interested in an active participation of Azerbaijan in the development of energy infrastructure in the country and pays special attention to the implementation of the Memorandum on the General Gasification Plan of Albania, signed between the two countries. Tirana has always been supportive of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council. Positive developments in the dialogue between the parties took place during the Albanian Chairmanship of the OSCE”.