LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I don’t expect Kurti to form ZSO; “As president, I will not sign recognition” (RTS/B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addresses the public on the occasion of the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels. Vucic also points out that no one from the West threatens Serbia with isolation anymore. “I spoke with Vincenzo Paglia, to tell the people in Serbia. He helped during the conflict in 1999, to resolve things peacefully. An intelligent man, I know that he also spoke with Milosevic many times. He still considers Milosevic his friend today. They are with the Vatican, not the Vatican. A powerful organization, and he helped Milosevic get in touch with Rugova. I remember as a young man, I thought I was the smartest, I didn’t understand why Milosevic was doing that. However, then the Americans brought a different decision. That’s almost what Paglia told me. Madeleine Albright came to the Vatican and asked him if Rugova could bear the burden of talking to Milosevic, and she was looking for some younger people to fight against Milosevic. Then the ‘young lions’ came on the scene, Thaci and some others, and they performed in Rambouillet,” said Vucic. “I mentioned that because I heard stories that they wouldn’t bomb us at the end of the 20th century. They ended up bombing us. I think we should have stopped after 7 or 10 days, we would have had less dead and less damage. Now, in the midst of the war between Ukraine and Russia, and the offensives of both will soon follow. I see that everyone is in a hurry, something is happening. Well, both of them are going on the offensive, in such conditions, everyone is in a hurry to make results, and no one asks you anything. They told me that they have a war in Europe, and that they tell us that we will lose everything if we don’t behave,” he said. “Others say that the West has its own interests here in Serbia, that it will not withdraw. And they withdrew from Russia in 7 days, all their companies and banks were removed. BASF, the largest chemical giant in the world, is laying off thousands of people. All of this they are able to do because they are at war, and they won’t do it to us? Since we are very important, do you want to gamble? I am not a gambler, I worry about every dinar and every person in this country. I will not deal with whether the West is bluffing or not,” Vucic said.

“I don’t expect Kurti to form ZSO”

“I don’t expect Kurti to form ZSO. I said that 55 to 60 times in Brussels just yesterday. They heard what I said. That is the essence of what is missing since 2013.” When asked how the talks in Brussels look like, Vucic ironically referred to it as “dearest talks”. “Nothing nice, nothing nice. We talk in English, something comes out in Serbian… Kurti speaks Serbian very well, he was in prison until Kostunica and Milos Jovanovic released him from prison. You can see the signature here. This is how it looks when someone signs a document, and I didn’t sign anything. And in Brussels, they say their opinions, we say ours, we don’t agree on anything,” said Vucic. He adds that he is convinced that Kurti will not form ZSO for a long time. “When it is formed, then we will have to sit down and discuss all the issues, even the difficult ones. Kurti says that he will not implement what someone else signed, that it was a corrupted government at the time.”

“As long as I am the president of the republic, I will not sign the recognition”

“I was told that there is no negotiation about it. I repeat for the fifth time, I will not participate in the implementation of some things. Here I repeat for the tenth time. I told Macron, and Scholz, and Lajcak. While I am the president of the republic, I will not sign either formally or informal recognition of Kosovo, nor its membership in the UN,” said Vucic.

Nothing was signed in Brussels

“But the key issues concerning the Constitution of Serbia, I said unequivocally and in every place publicly and clearly. The strength of Serbia’s position is precisely in that. And why do you think I didn’t sign anything, what they said I was going to sign?” he explains. “You have a statement, I thought the man was decent, but I was surprised in the parliament, French citizen Milos Jovanovic announced on Instagram that I am a traitor who wants to sign the secession of Kosovo. Two days later, nothing has been signed in Brussels,” Vucic points out.

“I do not want to discuss the recognition and Kosovo’s UN membership”

“I want to tell the Serbs, I think it’s important to talk. When you’re at the negotiating table, they can’t decide without you. So, either that, or we leave the negotiations with all the consequences we suffered in the nineties, such as complete economic disaster”, he said.
“I communicate very precisely and say: Serbia is ready to work on the implementation of many things from the plan, but we made one clear, big, objection. I told that to Macron and Scholz in Munich and to all the big leaders. It is about the fact that I won’t and cannot discuss mutual recognition, recognition and Kosovo’s membership into the UN,” he said.

The consequence of refusal is the blockade of European integrations

“The consequences of rejecting the plan are the blockade of European integration, only that it means the end of investments, they said the direct withdrawal of investments,” said the President of Serbia. “We currently have 80,000 people working in German-owned factories alone. They threatened a number of other measures, including that Serbia would become a pariah, isolated from the world,” he said. “Part of my team expected that they would come out with the announcement that Kurti is not ready for ZSO, and I knew that it would not happen, but that they would maneuver, that there would be some balanced message. People say that we did not react in any way, and that we did not send any objections, which is not true,” he states. “Here, I have brought our answer, on densely typed six pages, around nine pages, look how precise and thorough our non-paper answer, based on international law, is. Read it and tell people if I lied to you. It was handed over to international representatives “, says Vucic and adds that it is a non-paper, and will not be published.

We haven’t reached agreement

“It is important for me to try to tell people what we have been doing all these months, because it is not a matter of one paper and one meeting. Yesterday in Brussels we talked, we haven’t reached an agreement and nothing more than that,” said Vucic. He said he always told the truth to people and never hid anything.

Vucic, Aliyev speak about Brussels dialogue (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke by telephone with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday to inform him of the course of the Brussels dialogue and the necessary further consultations. Vucic said that would prevent him from attending a Non-Aligned Movement Contact Group Summit in Baku, but that Serbia would be represented by its foreign minister. Vucic noted that Serbia attached great significance to comprehensive bilateral relations with friendly Azerbaijan, based on mutual respect, understanding and mutual support, said a statement released by the press office of the Serbian president. Aliyev said he highly appreciated the Serbia-Azerbaijan strategic partnership that was on a strong upward trajectory thanks to the excellent personal relationship between the two presidents, and expressed the expectation that this year, too, would be successful for Serbia-Azerbaijan bilateral relations. The discussion topics included plans in the energy sector and other areas of mutual interest.

Dacic: Vucic demonstrated great wisdom in Brussels (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday President Aleksandar Vucic had demonstrated great diplomatic and statesmanly wisdom and determination in the Brussels talks. “He protected the national and state interests and, at the same time, he did not let Serbia be blamed for a failure of the talks and opened up development prospects for Serbia. He firmly stood by the stance that there will be no further talks on implementation without prior formation of a Community of Serb Municipalities, a commitment that was undertaken a long time ago and guaranteed by the EU,” Dacic said in a statement to Tanjug. He said the Community of Serb Municipalities was the greatest accomplishment for the Serbs since 1999 and a vital interest of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. He said any criticism of the Community or of Vucic’s statesmanly approach was against Serbian interests “and only in the interest of Serbian enemies.”

Petkovic: ZSO will have essential prerogatives, will not be NGO (Beta/RTV/RTS)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Head Petar Petkovic has said that the representatives of the provisional institutions in Pristina have stepped up their propaganda campaign to render inane the concept of the Community of Serb Municipalities by stubbornly trying to reduce it to the level of an NGO. “The Community of Serb Municipalities is not and will not be an NGO, because if it was, Pristina would not have given its all to wiggle itself out of the obligations that it has according to the first Brussels agreement for years,” Petkovic said, stressing that Belgrade was striving to obtain firm and reliable mechanisms to protect the position and rights of the Serb people in Kosovo. Petkovic added that the Community of Serb Municipalities could only be established in the way that it was defined in the Brussels dialogue, ergo with essential prerogatives, as neither Belgrade nor the Serbs in Kosovo would agree to anything less.

Patriotic bloc demands Vucic’s resignation (Beta/Politika)

MPs of the New Democratic Party of Serbia, movement Dveri, the Oath Keepers, and the Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia on Tuesday demanded from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to resign for having violated the oath of office by accepting the EU plan for Kosovo. Movement Dveri leader Bosko Obradovic said that Vucic had crossed the only red line which he had pledged not to cross, which is, that he would not accept Kosovo’s membership in the UN. “It is therefore time for him to step down and for citizens to go to the polls,” Obradovic told reporters at the Serbian Assembly. New Democratic Party of Serbia leader Milos Jovanovic said it was good that the EU plan had been made public so that citizens could see for themselves that Vucic had recognized of “our southern province”. Jovanovic also said that “Vucic was obliged to refuse the proposal. There can be no negotiations on treason, this is an act against the state. Vucic was not capable of refusing the plan and that is why he has to go,” Jovanovic stressed. In a separate statement, People’s Party whip Miroslav Aleksic said that the acceptance of the EU proposal would jeopardize all of Serbia, not only Kosovo, stressing that the people who were ready to prevent everything Vucic was intending to do had to unite.

Bogdanovic reveals for N1 content of roadmap discussed in Brussels (N1)

Former Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic told N1 that he has obtained the roadmap for the implementation of the agreement on Kosovo that was discussed on Monday in Brussels.

“I got that roadmap last night or, better say, annex to the Agreement on the path to normalization between Kosovo and Serbia – it has eight articles that clearly and specifically talk about the deadlines for the fulfillment of certain obligations accepted under the agreement,” said Bogdanovic. According to this document, once the agreement is signed, we have 150 days to implement what has been signed, he explained. Bogdanovic read a short version of the roadmap articles. Article 1 says that the annex is an integral part of the agreement. Article 2 describes the sequence of events for the implementation of the agreement. The events stem from the parties’ obligations listed in articles 1, 4 ,7, 8, 9 and 10 of the basic agreement. All other agreements come into effect with the signing of the basic agreement – meaning that 2,3, 5 and 11 come into effect immediately upon the signing of the basic agreement. Article 3 reads that no later than 15 days after the signing of the agreement a management team will present the first draft statute in order to ensure an adequate level of self-governance for the Serb community in Kosovo, for negotiations on the statute with the mediation of the EU. Article 4 reads that, once the draft statute is presented and negotiations on it launched, the parties will enable the immediate coming into effect of a) diplomas, license plates, passports, customs stamps and b) exchange of permanent missions. Article 5 says the parties undertake to complete the negotiations on the agreed statute no later than by the deadline agreed in Article 8 (150 days) and that the government of Kosovo will confirm and pass a decree and ensure the legal viability of the statute. Article 6 – no later than 30 days after the signing of the agreement, the parties will set up a joint committee tasked with supervising the implementation of the agreement under the oversight of the EU. Article 7 – within 30 days from the formation of the committee, Kosovo will formalize the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church and will begin an internal procedure for the protection of cultural heritage. “I am very concerned about this annex article,” said Bogdanovic, adding that no Serbian Orthodox Church representatives have commented on the agreement. Article 8 – within 150 days from the signing of the agreement, the EU will organize a high-level conference with the other donors to adopt a special package for financial support and investments. The conference will not take place until the EU assesses that all provisions of the agreement have been fulfilled. Bogdanovic said the annex, that is, the roadmap, has not been adopted and that it was discussed in Brussels on Monday but that neither of the two sides accepted it.

Lajcak, Escobar agree on need to implement existing agreements (Beta)

EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said he and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar agreed on the need to implement the existing dialogue agreements. Lajcak wrote on Twitter Tuesday evening that, following the high-level meeting within the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue held Monday in Brussels, he and Escobar sat down to coordinate the “next steps in the run-up to the next meeting”. “We agreed on the importance of agreeing on implementation modalities and the need to implement all existing dialogue agreements,” Lajcak tweeted next to a photo of himself and Escobar at the meeting.

Escobar says US supports EU proposal but hasn’t changed its stance on mutual recognition (Beta)

US special envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said on Tuesday that the US supported the EU proposal that the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo had agreed on, but that did not mean that Washington had changed its stance on the need for both states to recognize each other. A day after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti reached an agreement on the EU’s proposal for normalizing relations, Escobar told journalists that the document “is not about mutual recognition, but normalization.” Escobar said that the US supported the agreement on the EU proposal, given that it “is an important step”, but that “the difficult job” of reaching an agreement on the annex for implementing the agreement remained. He said that the US “has high hopes” and voiced the hope that Vucic and Kurti would soon agree on the implementation of a “roadmap for normalization between Kosovo and Serbia”. As for the issue of the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo, Escobar reiterated Washington’s stance that it was Pristina’s legal obligation that had to be realized. He added that when speaking about the Community, the discussion was about the level of local self-government that would not affect constitutional order, legal structure or functionality of Kosovo. Asked whether a community of Albanian municipalities needed to be formed in Serbia and other countries as well, given that Kosovo is being asked to establish the Community, Escobar said that introducing other parties and structures into the dialogue depended on the EU.

REGIONAL PRESS

FB&H HoR session: Bradara appointed FB&H President, Lendo and Stojanovic Vice-Presidents (FTV)

After a heated discussion at the FB&H House of Representatives’ (FB&H HoR) session on Tuesday, a new leadership of the FB&H was confirmed. Lidija Bradara from HDZ B&H was appointed to the post of the FB&H President, while Igor Stojanovic from SDP B&H and Refik Lendo from SDA were appointed the FB&H Vice-Presidents. After individual voting of MPs, 58 of them voted in favor, 35 were against and one abstained. This is the first time that the FB&H parliament had to make a decision on the new leadership. On four occasions, Bradara, Stojanovic and Lendo held talks and tried to reach a solution, but they failed. Tuesday’s session also showed that there is a parliamentary majority in the FB&H HoR, made out of parties of ‘The Eight’ and HDZ B&H. What comes next is the formation of the new FB&H government. That is where the situation becomes tricky as SDA MPs already said they will not support any government that this party is not part of. During a press conference on Tuesday, Lendo confirmed that he will not support the FB&H government formation if SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic is proposed as the FB&H Prime Minister-designate. On the other hand, Bradara is optimistic and she believes through talks they will be able to reach an agreement and form the government as soon as possible. Stojanovic said that High Representative Christian Schmidt changed the rules on the election day, which is why Stojanovic expects Schmidt to now adopt a solution by which the process for forming the new FB&H government would be unblocked. “If you started that process already, that would be a responsible thing to do”, Stojanovic assessed. Prior to the FB&H HoR session, there were speculations that there was no majority in this House. Many said SB&H and NES are uncertain as they had some issues with their partners in ‘The Eight’. However, their votes on Tuesday proved opposite. SB&H MP in the FB&H HoR Admir Cavalic said his party did not want to block any processes in the FB&H which is why they, together with NES, supported the new FB&H leadership.

Inaugural session of Una-Sana Canton Assembly continues, leadership appointed (FTV)

The inaugural session of the Una-Sana Canton (USC) Assembly ended on Tuesday with the appointment of the leadership, without support of representatives of the Bosniak Caucus. Members of the Collegium were also appointed, and other working bodies were formed. Mladen Lonic (SDP B&H) as the representative of the Serb Caucus in this parliamentary convocation was appointed as the temporary Assembly President, while representative of the Croat Caucus Ines Delic (SDA) was appointed Vice President of the USC Assembly. It was pointed out that this enables the further uninterrupted work of the Assembly convocation, regardless of the fact that the leadership of the Assembly was appointed without the support of representatives of the Bosniak Caucus. “As a rule, a member of the leadership of the Assembly from among the Bosniak people is also the President, and it is very difficult to reach an agreement on this, and for it to be isolated from the rest of the political agreement on the formation of the authorities in our canton”, emphasizes Head of the SDA Caucus in the USC Assembly Jasmin Music.

Dzuvo takes over duty of OSA B&H Director (Nova BH)

Nova BH carries that Almir Dzuvo officially took over duty of the Director of the Intelligence and Security Agency B&H (OSA B&H) on Tuesday, thus replacing Osman Mehmedagic whose mandate expired two years ago. New OSA B&H Deputy Director Risto Zaric and OSA B&H Chief Inspector Damir Bevanda also assumed their mandates. Nova BH reminds that Dzuvo held the office of OSA B&H Director by 2015, after which he was appointed Head of the B&H Mission to NATO.

Komsic submits motion to B&H CC for constitutional review of RS Law on Immovable Property (O Kanal)

B&H Presidency member Zeljko Komsic submitted to the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H a motion for an assessment of the constitutionality of the Law on Immovable Property, used for the functioning of the public authorities of the RS, with a request for adoption of a temporary measure, so that irreparable damage is not caused by the possible application of the disputed law. “Regardless of the fact that requests for a temporary measure are considered at the plenary sessions of the B&H CC, which are convened only a few times a year, we believe that the Constitutional Court of B&H will recognize the importance and urgency of this case and will consider and decide in the shortest possible time”, Komsic wrote in his motion. He also said the RS authorities are constantly ignoring the B&H CC decisions and toying with the rule of law in B&H which is unacceptable.

B&H CC expected to decide on four motions for constitutionality review of RS Law on Immovable Property (Nova BH)

Four separate motions for constitutionality review of the RS Law on Immovable Property for Functioning of Public Authority have been filed to the B&H Constitutional Court, two by B&H Presidency members Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic, one by representatives in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) and one by delegates in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP). The reporter notes that all of the abovementioned have the right to file motions, however the question is whether four different motions are necessary, bearing in mind the B&H CC has already passed decisions on the RS Law on Immovable Property and it is already almost certain what the next decision will be. The B&H CC’s practice is to consolidate the same motions into a single case and pass decision, which may happen already in March, however until the agenda of the B&H CC’s plenary session is not published, “we cannot know for certain”.

Geodetic Administration RS says RS Law on Immovable Property to be applied (N1)

The RS Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs (RUGIPP) stated that the RS Law of Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authorities entered into force and will be applied as of Tuesday. They underlined that B&H Constitutional Court (CC) has not rendered a temporary measure banning applying of this law. The RS Administration for Geodetic and Property-Legal Affairs also said that they will continue to perform tasks within their area of competence in line with the RS Constitution and RS laws.

Dodik: Schmidt’s decision is invalid and is not legally grounded (Nova BH/RTRS)

High Representative (HR) in B&H Christian Schmidt’s suspension of the RS Law on Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authority has sparked reactions. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, RS President Milorad Dodik said: “We will see whether he has that power or not, whether the laws imposed by him can be implemented. As early as tomorrow, we will hold an operational meeting in Banja Luka to continue to implement our law more intensively. Let us see how he will ban that.” The reporter notes that based on this, the key question what the response will be if the RS authorities decide to ignore the OHR’s decision. Dodik stated that Schmidt’s decision is invalid and is not legally grounded, adding that they will resume to implement abovementioned law. He emphasized that the RS does not have intention to publish Schmidt’s decisions. “We will not publish his decision in the Official Gazette. We will not apply it. I said before the start of this meeting – let him do this and impose. When someone imposes, there is a force behind him. Here, let us see what force is behind him, so let us settle the score,” Dodik stated. Dodik stated that the “false High Representative”, as he often refers to Schmidt, has no power in RS and that he has “overplayed his hand”, even comparing the decisions of Schmidt to the ones made by his grandchildren.

Other RS politicians react to Schmidt’s decision on suspending Law on Immovable Property (RTRS)

The RS Law on Immovable Property Used for Functioning of Public Authorities entered into force. This means that the decision of Christian Schmidt on suspension of this law will not be implemented. Reporter noted that out of 12 articles of the Constitution of B&H, not a single one talks about state property. However, article three reads that competences and authorizations that have not been given to B&H belong to entities. Chair of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic said that the RS’ property belongs to the RS and is regulated by its legislation, because the Constitution of B&H does not read it belongs to B&H. The reporter commented that it is pointless to invoke the Constitution of B&H, adding that Schmidt prefers earlier passed decisions of B&H Constitutional Court (CC) that deprived the RS of its Dayton right that as a titular manages forests, agricultural land and waters. However, the Brcko District was allowed to use the same right. The reporter reminded that Schmidt activated an order from 12 April 2022 when he suspended the RS Law on Immovable Property. The same order is applied to the new RS Law on Immovable Property until a decision of the B&H CC whether this law is in line with the Constitution of B&H.  RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic stated that suspension or decision of an illegitimate international representative did not or will not affect the right of the RS parliament to regulate every area by adopting laws. He called on Schmidt to first consider his legitimacy before considering his actions in B&H. PDP’s Igor Crnadak stated: “The previously agreed upon reality show of SNSD-Schmidt continues. It is clear that PDP was right not to vote for the RS Law on Immovable Property, on 28 December, which SNSD changed on its own initiative and tore down Serb unity, instead of passing that same law which was adopted by the RS Assembly on 10 February 2023, by votes of all political parties from the RS.”

B&H celebrates its Independence Day on Wednesday (O Kanal)

B&H Independence Day is being celebrated in B&H on Wednesday. The decision on the referendum on the independence of B&H was made in 1991 after Slovenia and Croatia declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). ‘Are you for a sovereign and independent B&H, a state of equal citizens, the people of B&H – Muslims, Serbs, Croats and members of other peoples who live there?’, the question on the ballot of the independence referendum, held exactly 31 years ago, read. Of the 64 percent of citizens who voted in the referendum, 99.44 percent voted for independence. Based on the results of the referendum, the EU recognized B&H as an independent state on 6 April 1992, and the US did the same a day later. B&H became a member of the United Nations on 22 May 1992.

Becirovic hosts reception for members of RB&H Presidency (FTV)

On the occasion of marking 1 March, the Independence Day of B&H, B&H Presidency member Denis Becirovic spoke on Tuesday with members of the Presidency of the Republic of B&H (RB&H) – Mirko Pejanovic, Ivo Komsic, Ejup Ganic and General Sefer Halilovic, the first commander of the Main Staff of the Army of the Republic of B&H, who by function was also a member of the Presidency. Becirovic pointed out that the reception of meritorious people, who led the state bodies of the internationally recognized state of the RB&H, should become a traditional reception in the coming period. Congratulating the national holiday, Becirovic acknowledged the members of the Presidency of the RB&H for their contribution to the defense of the homeland during the aggression against the RB&H. It was pointed out that it is of particular importance in times of peace to continue advocating for the preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H.

Solemn academy in City Hall on occasion of Independence Day of B&H (FTV)

On the occasion of 1 March, the Independence Day of B&H, a joint ceremonial academy of the Sarajevo Canton (SC), the City of Sarajevo and the Sarajevo’s municipalities was held in the City Hall of Sarajevo (on Tuesday). On this occasion, it was said that the independence is preserved and strengthened in every part of the country. The event was attended by B&H Presidency members Denis Becirovic and Zeljko Komsic, SC Acting Prime Minister Darja Softic-Kadenic, Sarajevo Mayor Benjamina Karic, other representatives of all levels of authority, numerous representatives of the political and public life of the City of Sarajevo and the state of B&H. “We jealously, meticulously and resolutely guard the independence of our homeland, the state of B&H, which we restored on 1 March 1992. We watch over it and we will never give up on it”, underlined Mayor Karic. Softic-Kadenic emphasized that B&H was made sovereign and independent by its citizens, by their democratic will. Komsic addressed the young generations and said that they must love and protect B&H always. “No one can love and appreciate this country more than we do. If we do not love and appreciate it, others certainly will not”, Komsic underscored.

Reception held in Belgrade on occasion of 9 January and anniversary of first RS Constitution (RTRS)

A reception was held on Tuesday in premises of ‘Dom Vojske Srbije’ in Belgrade by the RS Representation Office in Serbia on the occasion of 9 January and 28 February, the day of adoption of first the RS Constitution. One of the messages conveyed on this occasion is that there cannot be freedom and survival for Serbs without a state. The reporter noted that participants conveyed messages of peace and unity. RS President Milorad Dodik addressed participants and stated that the RS wants and works on peace. He underlined that there cannot be freedom without a state and that the RS needs to be preserved for the future. Dodik added that 9 January is one of most important dates for Serb people living on other side of Drina River. He emphasized that “there is sufficient number of us to form state and that is why we passed this decision”. He noted that if there was no will of Serb people to do that, Serbs in the RS would have ceased to exist. Dodik underlined that the example of what would have happened to Serbs is the current status of Serbs in the FB&H. RS President emphasized that if Serbs learned anything from the past, it is that there is no freedom and survival without state. “We have the RS and Serbia and they have their borders, and this is what we need to defend”, said RS President. Patriarch of Serb Orthodox Church (SPC) Porfirije stated that he observes this festivity as presence of love of God. He called on for participants to pray for Kosovo and for peace among all people living there. He underlined that those from the RS – that is formed on loyalty to Kosovo testament – know the best what Kosovo testament means. Patriarch Porfirije stressed that unity between the RS and Serbia is expression of unity in Christ. “That is why this unity is independent from any force”, concluded Patriarch Porfirije. speaker of Serbian parliament Vladimir Orlic stated that Serbia will resume to be support in strengthening of the RS. He explained that same as formation of the RS, adoption of first constitution of the RS was expression of strong commitment of Serb people, as well as guarantee of survival and equality of Serbs. “It was expression of love and preparedness for biggest sacrifice”, Orlic said. Orlic added that thanks to this, the RS exists, underlining that this is why Serbia will resume to be support in preservation of the RS.

Kovachevski ready to host Vucic – Kurti meeting (All media)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski is ready to host a meeting on 18 March between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti as part of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina mediated by the EU and the USA, government sources confirmed. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade – Prishtina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak will participate in the meeting, MIA has learned. The meeting follows Serbia’s President Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Kurti’s acceptance of an EU proposal on Monday to normalize tense bilateral relations, which is “extremely important for the future and stability of the region, and North Macedonia is proving once again that it is a factor of stability,” the government sources said. “This was recently pointed out at the Munich Security Conference, where Prime Minister Kovachevski led the government delegation,” they said. He described the talks in Brussels as difficult, pointing out that the main stumbling block was the Community of Serb Municipalities of Kosovo. “We had a tough meeting and I believe there will be many more in the coming period. We should meet on 18 March in North Macedonia, when Borrell will visit the region. Until then we will talk with Lajcak about the things we need to implement,” Vucic said. “I insisted on the Community of Serb Municipalities. Kurti was not ready to accept it now. We will see if he will be ready in the future,” he added. After the meeting in Brussels on Monday between Vucicć and Kurti, Borrell said both of them agreed no further negotiations were needed on the EU proposal and accepted it as a framework for normalizing relations between the two sides. The EU’s foreign affairs chief also said Vucic and Kurti had shown responsible behavior. 3 “Now that they have agreed on it, the text of the plan will be available to the public very soon,” he said. The agreement, most of all, is for the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia, Borrell said, adding it provides for people to move freely between Kosovo and Serbia with their passports, identity cards and license plates.

Osmani: Progress in Belgrade – Pristina relations to benefit whole region (MIA)

Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani welcomed the progress in terms of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia achieved at Monday’s meeting in Brussels. “The progress made yesterday in Brussels in the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a significant step forward that will benefit the entire region. As an immediate neighbor of both countries we encourage a final breakthrough, standing ready to assist in the best interest and the EU perspective of the entire region,” Osmani posted on Facebook.

Kovacevski: I will not request apology from Mickoski (Fokus)

In response to a journalist’s question, the president of SDSM, Dimitar Kovacevski indicated that from the first day of taking office, he and his family were under direct attack, and the order for such attacks came personally from the president of VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski. “Since the first day, my family and I have been under direct attack, especially my wife, and this is under the direct order of the president of VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski. Such an atmosphere came about because there were no arguments in the VMRO-DPMNE assembly regarding the reconstruction of the government and considering that their president said that he had 61 MPs to push the government and it turned out that the government had an increased parliamentary majority of 65, which was confirmed yesterday, by his order, the discussions of the MPs from VMRO-DPMNE were exclusively directed against my wife,” Kovacevski said. Kovacevski pointed out that in addition to his wife, his minor daughter is also the target of such attacks and added that he will not apologize for the inhumane orders. “Directly under his orders for my minor daughter during the month of July last year when the French proposal was being brought, indecent videos were made on the TikTok application and I do not ask for an apology from such a non-human for this,” Kovacevski said.

Mickoski asks for evidence after Kovacevski’s accusations (Kurir/Alfa/MakPress/MMS/Vecer Press)

“When a person is weak, powerless and a coward, then in order to present himself as a victim, he drags his family in,” says President of VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski, after the accusation by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski that he ordered indecent attacks on his wife and daughter. Mickoski comments that everyone who knows him knows that this is not his characteristic and it is a blatant lie. He calls on Prime Minister Kovacevski to immediately submit evidence to the 6 prosecutor’s office and show it publicly, and if this is the case as he claims, he will immediately withdraw from politics.

Kosovo and Serbia accept the European plan/ Rama: Historic moment for peace (Radio Tirana)

Serbia and Kosovo agreed on the European plan and this development is considered historic by Prime Minister Edi Rama. He describes it as a historical moment and the right path to the future. “Peace and cooperation are the key to the future that we owe to our children in this region destroyed for centuries by the lack of peace and cooperation. I welcome the consent of the two parties for the Agreement on the normalization path between Kosovo and Serbia. This is an important milestone for regional peace and I strongly encourage all parties involved to continue working for a speedy implementation. For peace and cooperation, Albania is and will remain a believer and a role model. We fully support any effort to overcome the past. I wish that no one accuses Albin Kurti of betrayal or forgetfulness, but that everyone understands that today’s prime minister of Kosovo has done the right thing, taking a very important first step towards getting out of yesterday’s trap. Other steps should follow without wasting time”, writes Rama on Twitter.