LOCAL PRESS

Investigation regarding arrest of Kosovo Special Forces in territory of Serbia (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated last night, regarding the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, that we are at a crossroads – whether we will continue to have peace or not, and that there is no longer any doubt that the prime minister of the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina Albin Kurti wants to provoke a war at any cost. Appearing on Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) news programme, Vucic said that we have “crossed the Rubicon” and that the return to normalcy will be very difficult, but that Serbia will do everything in its power to make it happen. He reiterated that no soldier of the Serbian Armed Forces, nor any police officer, crossed the administrative line during the arrest of the three members of the Kosovo police. They were arrested 1.8 km away from the administrative line, in the area between Orahovo and Gnjilica, the President stated, emphasising that members of the Kosovo police have no business being in the Tresava-Batnjik area without the approval of KFOR, especially not with long firearms. According to him, Serbia has evidence that KFOR was not informed about any of this, and tomorrow, representatives of the Quint countries within the EU will be presented with this evidence again. The President explained that the Serbian military is mostly stationed in the vicinity of Rudnica, which is 5.1 km away by air from the location where the Kosovo special forces were arrested, but the actual distance is 19.8 km due to the need to travel through Raska because of the Ibar River, which cuts through Gnjilica and Rudnica. Our military was essentially 20 km away from the incident. KFOR can easily verify this, and anyone can see it clearly, Vucic emphasised. He said that an investigation is being conducted regarding the arrest of armed Kosovo special forces, and stressed that Belgrade is ready to provide all evidence and has no problem with everyone showing satellite images to clearly determine whether Serbian units crossed the administrative line or not. Vucic emphasised that the arrested Kosovo special forces were not mistreated, that Serbia is a serious state, and that it treated them in a civilised manner, while preserving their dignity in every way during the arrest. Currently, the police and prosecutors are working with them. That is their job. You cannot enter the territory of a sovereign country with such weapons. An investigation is underway. Serbia is ready to provide “all the data and all the evidence”, the President emphasised. He reiterated that Serbian units did not approach the administrative line by even a millimeter, which, as he emphasised, indicates that someone wants to provoke conflicts at any cost.

Meeting with representatives of Quint countries

Vucic then spoke about the meeting with Quint representatives. “They just asked us to further de-escalate the situation. We ended that meeting. I had a very fair conversation with the NATO commander in Kosovo, Mr. Ristuccia. It is not easy to talk to him. He feels hurt because of the numerous injuries of his soldiers in Zvecan. He is a serious and responsible soldier. But he heard our arguments. I showed him the video, here it is, for you to see. He said: ‘I know that video where Dusan Obrenovic and Rados Petrovic are seen to have done nothing.’ They are still in detention and their detention was extended yesterday or today. Do you know why it was extended? Because they were beaten, especially Dusan Obrenovic.” “NATO says the man didn’t do anything. Do you understand me? The man was arrested because of this. You all have to understand that. So, in what terror, in what madness are the Serbs living in Kosovo and Metohija. Okay, and when the KFOR general tells you that we know about that video, we don’t, they all know it. You know what they tell you? They tell you, and we, through EULEX, are now monitoring it. For God’s sake, don’t monitor it anymore. You didn’t write to me that you would monitor it through EULEX, but I guaranteed our people that they must have confidence in you and in us, and that you don’t lie to me.” Three armed members of Kosovo special forces were arrested today in the territory of central Serbia in an operation by the Special Units of the Serbian Police.

Kurti knew that secret negotiations were taking place in Brussels

“Kurti knew that secret negotiations were taking place in Brussels this morning. He also wanted to provoke this morning. He wanted us to react badly and Serbia would be punished at the same second. He did all this because of that. Because he wants war and wants Serbia to be punished for something. Here’s all the maps so you can see exactly where they were arrested, in what way, what’s the distance, it’s exactly measured 1.14 miles, 1,83 kilometers from the administrative line and so on. He provokes all the time because he wants war. Do you understand that you make the decision to say that we will not receive goods from Serbia as they say or from central Serbia as we say?” explained Vucic. “I tell you, it’s easiest for me to talk to their army. It’s easiest for me to talk to the people of KFOR. And that conversation wasn’t sweet at all. It was very difficult. But it’s easiest for me to talk to them because you talk to them facts,” he emphasized.

Serbian MUP issues statement about the arrest of Kurti’s “special forces” (Tanjug/RTV)

In the administrative belt towards the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, deep in the territory of central Serbia, members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), the Anti-Terrorist Group of the special police unit today located and arrested three members of the so-called Kosovo police – R.Z., B.S., and M.S. All three persons now in custody were armed with automatic weapons, wearing full military gear and carrying GPS devices, maps and other equipment. Thanks to the quick and efficient operation of the Serbian police, the attempt of the so-called Kosovo police to carry out an incursion into the territory of central Serbia was successfully thwarted. Their actions are by all parameters a terrorist act whose goal was additional destabilization and escalation of the conflict directed against the Republic of Serbia. The police will continue further work in cooperation with the competent prosecutor’s office, the MUP said.

Brkic: Officers of so-called Kosovo Police arrested in full combat gear (Tanjug)

State Secretary at the Serbian Interior Ministry Zeljko Brkic said an anti-terrorist unit of the Serbian police had located and arrested three officers of the so-called Kosovo Police deep inside the territory of central Serbia earlier in the afternoon, and noted that the arrestees had been “in full combat gear”. At a press conference in the Palace of Serbia, Brkic said the arrest had taken place at 12.38 pm and that the Serbian police had not at any time crossed the administrative line towards Kosov and Metohija. “All three arrestees were in full combat gear and armed with three automatic rifles and ammunition and equipped with maps, GPS devices and other equipment,” Brkic said. He said the three, identified by the initials R Z, B S and M S, had driven to the Tresava-Batnjik alternative crossing in a Dacia Duster police car and then continued on foot along the Orahovo-Gnjilica road, where they were located and arrested by the Serbian anti-terrorist police unit. “The location of the arrest is in the Gnjilice village in the Raska municipality, more than a kilometre inside the territory of central Serbia. I would like to note that the Republic of Serbia is a serious state and that Interior Ministry personnel did not at any time cross the administrative line or get close to it, which means that they did not violate UNSCR 1244 or the Military-Technical Agreement. They committed no unlawful acts during the arrest of those persons,” Brkic said. He added that the police would continue to work on the case in collaboration with the relevant prosecutor’s office.

Petkovic: Members of special police of so-called Kosovo arrested in Serbia proper (Tanjug/Politka/RTS)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic announced yesterday that in the area of the village of Gnjilica, in the municipality of Raska, members of the anti-terrorist unit of the Serbian Gendarmerie located and arrested three members of the so-called Kosovo special police. At an extraordinary press conference in the government of Serbia, Petkovic specified that heavily armed R. Z., B. S. and M. S. were arrested today, deep in the territory of Serbia propoer. He emphasised that the members of our police did not violate either UN Security Council Resolution 1244 or the Military Technical Agreement, since they did not cross the administrative line, while, on the other hand, members of the Kosovo police violated international agreements. Petkovic added that Belgrade is ready to offer all the evidence and to call, if necessary, for an international investigation to be opened, and for the USA and Great Britain to provide satellite images so that it can be clearly seen that the Serbian police did not cross the administrative line even a millimeter. According to him, this is important because the minister of the interior of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina Xhelal Svecla claims that the arrested members of the Kosovo Special Police were “kidnapped”. The persons mentioned were not kidnapped, but were found deep in the territory of central Serbia with long barrels, automatic rifles, maps, GPS devices and other surveillance equipment, he said. Petkovic said that the investigation will establish all relevant facts and reiterated that our police and state authorities behaved exclusively in accordance with regulations and laws.

KFOR Commander expresses concern in meeting with Vucic (N1)

KFOR Commander Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia told Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday that he is deeply concerned about developments in the north of Kosovo. A KFOR press release said that Ristuccia met with Vucic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Milan Mojsilovic in Belgrade. “KFOR commander expressed deep concern about the latest developments in the North municipalities of Kosovo after the events of last 29th of May, when several KFOR peacekeepers were wounded during unprovoked attacks by criminal elements who infiltrated peaceful protests,” the press release said. It added that Ristuccia and Mojsilovic agreed that all sides need to de-escalate the tensions. KFOR is ready to face any kind of scenario and keeps monitoring the situation on the ground, it said and added that the NATO-led mission continues to operate impartially within its strict Rules of Engagement.

Mojsilovic meets with KFOR Commander (Tanjug)

Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic met with KFOR Commander Maj Gen Angelo Michele Ristuccia in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss the security situation in Kosovo and Metohija. The meeting, held amid an escalation of tensions in the north of the province, addressed efforts to avert further deterioration of the security situation on the ground and ensure a safe and secure environment for the Serb population, subjected to unlawful violence by the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina, the Serbian Ministry of Defence said in a statement. The parties expressed a commitment to preserve peace and stability and noted the significance of contacts at all levels between the Serbian Armed Forces and international forces in Kosovo and Metohija for successful preventive action and for averting the emergence of crises in the territory of Serbia’s southern province.

Professional, responsible attitude of Serbian peacekeepers in Cyprus (RTV)

Serbian Defence Minister Milos Vucevic yesterday visited the contingent of the Serbian Armed Forces in the multinational operation of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus UNFICYP at its headquarters and met with the leadership of that mission. Vucevic was welcomed by senior national representative Major Dejan Zivanovic, which was followed by a meeting with members of the Serbian Armed Forces, our “blue berets”, engaged in the UNFICYP mission. At the headquarters of the Mission, the Deputy Prime Minister met with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Cyprus and the Head of the UNFICYP mission, Colin Stewart, who informed him about the importance of building trust between the two sides, organizing contacts and negotiations, as well as resolving crisis situations. Stewart particularly emphasized the exceptional professionalism of the members of the Serbian Armed Forces who are engaged in that mission. Vucevic also met with the commander of the UN military forces in Cyprus, Major General Ingrid Gjerde, who introduced him to the organization of the military component and the tasks arising from the mandate of the mission, pointing out that the members of the Serbian Armed Forces engaged in UNFICYP, who are assigned to the Command and the multinational platoon of the military police, perform their tasks professionally and responsibly.

Dacic: Serbia highly appreciated principled position of Algeria to non-recognition of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian Foreign Minster Ivica Dacic met with Algerian Ambassador to Serbia Fatah Mahraz on Wednesday, and noted that Serbia highly appreciated the principled position of friendly Algeria with regards to non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo. According to a statement released by his ministry, Dacic said the position provided principled and consistent support to the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. The parties also discussed continued economic cooperation, which has been on an upward trajectory in recent years, the statement said. In a cordial atmosphere, they discussed upcoming bilateral activities and a planned visit to Serbia by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. Dacic said he hoped the visit would also have a positive effect on bilateral trade. The parties also said the visit would be a good opportunity to maintain the achieved level of overall bilateral relations and to advance the relations further in all areas of mutual interest, the statement also said.

Ireland’s assistance to Serbia in reforms on European road (RTV/Tanjug)

Serbian Minister of European Integration Tanja Miscevic spoke yesterday with Irish Minister for European Affairs Peter Burke about Serbia’s accession to the EU, regional cooperation and reforms. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who pointed out the importance of open and friendly cooperation between the two countries and expressed her belief that precisely such relations will contribute to Serbia’s faster accession to the EU. Miscevic informed Burke about the reforms, but also about the challenges that our country is facing on the European path. During the talks, special attention was paid to the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, for which Serbia strongly demands de-escalation and insists that Pristina fulfill its obligation from the Brussels agreement by forming the Community of Serb Municipalities, in order to collectively protect the rights of Serbs and enable the normalisation of life. The Ministers discussed judicial reform, the fight against corruption, the implementation of the Media Strategy and energy diversification. Burke pointed out that Ireland is ready to help Serbia in reforms on the way to membership, supporting the EU enlargement policy that leads to the creation of a better Europe for everyone, especially in the current geopolitical circumstances. He announced the preparation for the presidency of the EU in 2026, and the readiness for the two countries to continue talks in order for his country to help Serbia’s accession to the European Union. The officials reached an agreement that there is a large space and need for Serbia to learn from the experience that Ireland has gained during fifty years of membership in the EU, according to the statement by the Ministry of European Integration.

Stano: EU did not impose sanctions on Kosovo (N1)

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano denied that the EU was imposing sanctions on Kosovo but added that the measures that it was introducing had political and economic consequences which all EU member states agreed with. The EU proposed restrictive measures based on clear legal frameworks defined by the member states following a long dialogue, he said. According to Stano, the EU is investing time and energy to help Belgrade and Pristina despite their stands and activities to find a European solution to their problem. He said that the EU is prepared to introduce measures against Serbia if Belgrade does not invest effort to de-escalate the situation.

Mariani: Kosovo is part of Serbia to me, pity that NATO did police work (Tanjug)

French member of the European Parliament (MEP) Thierry Mariani says that it is time for the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija to calm down and pointed out that it is necessary to “remember how it all started”, reports Tanjug. He told the agency that the reality is that it all started when the Pristina authorities wanted to forcibly appoint mayors who had no legitimacy. “I regret the fact that NATO forces were engaged in that territory and used to perform police work on behalf of the government in Pristina. Now is the time for the situation to calm down,” said Mariani and reminded that on 12 June, the prime minister of Pristina’s provisional institutions Allbin Kurti accepted to hold new elections. According to him, in the territory where citizens of Serb nationality are majority, municipal authorities can only be representatives of the majority population. “In the elections that were boycotted by the Serbs, the mayors who were elected by the votes of less than 5 percent of the electorate are not legitimate representatives,” said Mariani and repeated that he regrets that the NATO forces engaged in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija were used by Pristina to forcibly “enthrone” illegitimate municipal leaders. Commenting on yesterday’s address of the president of the provisional institutions of Pristina Vjosa Osmani in the European Parliament, he stressed that he did not listen to it directly, because he only follows the speeches given by heads of state in that way. “For me, Kosovo is a part of Serbia, not an independent state,” he said. He reminded that numerous EU member states – Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Greece – did not recognize Kosovo as independent. “In my opinion, allowing Kosovo to join the EU would be a destabilizing factor and a path to opening problems with Albania. I will persist in my position and the position of my party that we do not agree that this territory should join the EU,” said French MEP Mariani.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik, Vulic strongly criticize latest meeting of working group on state property, argue state property has already been regulated by DPA (Nezavisne)

The daily noted that the USA joined the list of associates of High Representative Christian Schmidt “who was not recognized by Banja Luka” with regard to “making a plan on forcible taking away of the RS’ property”. The daily went on to say that, in the past, embassies of the United Kingdom, Germany and OHR were discussing possibilities for registration of everything that Republika Srpska (RS) and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) have to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and, on Tuesday evening, a meeting on this topic was held in the US Embassy to B&H. “This famous working group, as the RS calls it, which was established by the OHR, has the task to prepare solutions according to which the RS will practically lose the right to manage its lad, waters and forests and it will be forced to ask B&H for an approval on everything”, the daily added and noted that it is expected several more meetings will take place with the intention to come up with a solution in the next two or three months, which will be presented by Schmidt. The daily stated that the FB&H would be willing to accept this plan, but the RS sent a strong message – “we will fight for our property and this is the red line that must not be crossed”. Banja Luka reminded that the property in the RS belongs to the RS as in line with the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) and reminded that the DPA stipulated that all competencies that were not explicitly granted to B&H, and the property issue was not, will be taken over by the entities. RS President Milorad Dodik stated that meetings of “self-proclaimed experts in the US Embassy or a building where the OHR used to be accommodated represent a brutal meddling in internal matters and practically an admission that B&H is a colony. Nobody authorized them nor anyone asked for the US Embassy to deal with this, or any other internal matter of B&H and the Office of the High Representative is beheaded and illegal because the position of the High Representative is still vacant and has not been abolished in the meantime. No proposal that comes from addresses that are dealing with internal matters without an invitation or authorization will be considered in the RS”. Dodik also stated that the agreement, in line with which the present day B&H was established, solved the property issue in 1995 and privatization of the state capital was carried out in both of the entities and in the Brcko District: “Now someone comes up with the idea that the property issue allegedly has not been solved. This is the clearest example of how a part of the international community in B&H is producing crises and then offer to solve it as if they were some kind of rescuers, while accusing legally elected politicians of being incapable.” Chair of SNSD Caucus in the House of Representatives (HoR) of B&H Sanja Vulic told the daily that the fact “a phantom working group” is holding secret meetings to discuss forests only adds to rumours that Schmidt is the owner of a wood processing private company. “Austrians and Germans have been attacking oxygen in this region since a long time ago and history testifies about Austro-Hungarian rule as well. The forests that they were unable to cut back then are now expected to be completed by tourist Schmidt,” Vulic argued. The article reported on the meeting of the working group in the US Embassy to B&H and noted that the topic of discussion were waters, i.e. possible regulation of water resources in scope of a comprehensive solution for the state property in B&H. The OHR stated that experts discussed various models of ownership and use of waters in BiH and compared it to other countries, as well as water management and protection. The daily noted that Bosniak elite believes that the entire state property, including waters, agricultural land and forests, belong to B&H while the RS representatives argue that the property has already been distributed in line with the DPA.

Knezevic has informed Stevandic he will submit a request for early retirement after sick leave (RTRS)

RTRS reports that judge at the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H Zlatko Knezevic has informed RS parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic that he will resign. Stevandic has confirmed that he received an explanation from Knezevic in May that he will submit a request for early retirement after sick leave. B&H CC President Valerija Galic confirmed on Tuesday that Knezevic returned to work after sick leave, and he is expected to participate in the B&H CC’s work at its next plenary session in July. Knezevic’s decision comes after the RS parliament passed at the end of April information on unconstitutional activity of the B&H CC and conclusions in which the RS parliament calls on B&H CC judges from the RS to resign until the RS parliament decides otherwise. The parties gathered around SNSD-led ruling majority also passed a conclusion according to which the RS parties in B&H parliament should prepare a new law on the B&H CC stipulating the court’s work without foreign judges. The RSNA’s conclusions stipulate that the RS will not be implementing the decisions of the B&H CC, calling on CC judge Zlatko Knezevic, the only remaining judge from the RS at the B&H CC, to resign. The reporter commented that it seems that the B&H CC is now in its own trap as they have been paranoidly rejecting and abolishing all the issues on the RS on their agenda, especially under condition that they are sent from political Sarajevo. Reporter noted that the B&H CC has gradually became a creator of the Constitution of B&H through the mechanism of outvoting, as they have re-tailored history, performed discriminatory nationalization on the territory of the RS, changed symbols and forged decisions without constitutional basis. RTRS wonders what will happen after Knezevic resigns, given that the B&H CC works without quorum of at least five judges since November 2022, noting that plenary sessions of the B&H CC with participation of three foreign judges and adoption of decisions by simple majority are the only possible form of its work, which political Sarajevo desperately sees as the straw of salvation.

Dodik: B&H CC, in which three foreigners sit, best demonstrates that B&H is not state, but protectorate of part of international community that governs it for its own interests, and not for people who live here (FTV)

“The Constitutional Court of B&H, as it is today, in which three foreigners sit, best demonstrates that B&H is not a state, but a protectorate of a part of the international community that governs it for its own interests, and not for the people who live here. That is why foreigners schedule sessions for them,” RS President Milorad Dodik was quoted as saying. Dodik added that the B&H CC, from an institution that should protect the Constitution of B&H, as it was foreseen by the Dayton Agreement, has grown in recent years into an alienated center which has risen above the Constitution and which, under the influence of foreigners and political Sarajevo, is trying to create some new relations in B&H. Dodik stressed that the RS cannot accept imposing of anti-Dayton decisions by the B&H CC, especially if there are no judges from the RS in its structure. Dodik stated that if CC B&H President Valerija Galic wants the CC to be professional in its work, then it should not adopt completely unconstitutional decisions. Dodik also wrote on Twitter that the RS cannot accept imposition of such decisions, which are adopted without presence of representatives of the RS in the CC of B&H.

Becirovic on developments regarding B&H CC: I call on HR to finally start protecting DPA and sanction those responsible for anti-Dayton moves (O Kanal)

Judge from RS Zlatko Knezevic is retiring from the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H. Commenting on this information, B&H Presidency member Denis Becirovic said that calling on the judges of the B&H CC from the rank of the Serb people to submit their resignations in the B&H CC represents one of the most dangerous anti-Dayton moves since 1995 until today. “I especially call the High Representative Christian Schmidt to finally start protecting the Dayton Peace Agreement and sanction those responsible for these anti-Dayton moves. Calling into question the functionality of the most significant state judicial bodies opens the way to anarchy and dismantling of the constitutional order. It is time to stop Milorad Dodik and his followers before it is too late to preserve peace and security in the country and the region,” Becirovic said in a statement. Becirovic deems that the withdrawal of Knezevic represents an attack on grounds of the DPA. This is why he called on witnesses of the DPA to urgently react and harshly sanction those undermining constitutional order of B&H. Becirovic called on the EU Member States to discuss a set of additional sanctions against the political leadership of the RS.

Dodik: Calls for Schmidt’s intervention coming from B&H Presidency member represent reflection and legacy of past which Muslims, including Becirovic, can hardly leave (RTRS)

Commenting on the statement of Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic, who has said that the Constitutional Court of B&H (CC) is 31 year older than RS, RS President Milorad Dodik stated on Wednesday that “the former B&H was made up of the RS and the FB&H in 1995, which means that none of its institutions is older than B&H or its composing parts.” Dodik also commented on Becirovic’s call for the protection of the Dayton Peace Accords by Christian Schmidt. He said that calls for Schmidt’s intervention coming from the B&H Presidency member represent reflection and legacy of the past which Muslims, including Becirovic, can hardly leave.

Mackey says B&H has not signed MAP; Goganovic, Kovacevic says this confirms claims of RS representatives that B&H is not on its way to become NATO member (Srna/Nezavisne)

Director of Security Policy and Partnerships at the NATO Headquarters James Mackey told Srna that B&H has not signed Membership Action Plan (MAP) and is not at the doors of NATO. Mackey also said that NATO does not insist for any country to become member and that membership request is a sovereign decision of every country. “It is not true that NATO is determining internal procedures within B&H and decides whether the country will be a member of NATO or not. This is an internal matter for B&H to make a decision on it within political talks”, Mackey noted. Political representatives from RS said that, by these statements, Mackey denied all allegations of political Sarajevo about NATO integration of B&H. “Mackey confirmed statements of the RS representatives that B&H is not ready to become NATO member. The key sentence in Mackey’s statement was that the MAP in an instrument which NATO approved for B&H and that this offers remains. The very fact that this offer remains on the table, means that we have not entered MAP process and we are working on the program of reforms, but even this does not mean that we will become NATO member”, Deputy B&H Minister of Defense Aleksandar Goganovic stated. Goganovic also said that claims of political Sarajevo on NATO integration are irresponsible and groundless. Deputy Chair of the Joint Commission for Defense and Security of B&H Parliament Radovan Kovacevic, who attended a meeting with Mackey, said that he is glad Mackey confirmed what the RS representatives have been constantly saying – that B&H is not on the path to NATO, it has not adopted the MAP and it defined a special frame of cooperation under the name Program of Reforms which does not prejudge a membership in the NATO. “He criticized everything Minister of Defense of B&H Zukan Helez is doing, based on the valid documents in B&H and now also based on clear statements of NATO that all his statements that B&H is a step away from the membership in the NATO is just a bunch of lies. His statements are not based on anything except on wishful thinking that will remain unfulfilled”, Kovacevic said.

Lagumdzija meets UN Secretary-General (Fena)

Bosnia and Herzegovina UN Ambassador Zlatko Lagumdzija met with the Secretary-General of this international organisation Antonio Guterres, ending the two-day high-level meetings of the delegation of the Board of Directors and members of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) with the leaders of the UN and their organizations in New York. The series of two-day gatherings under the title “Common Agenda: Renewal of Multilateralism” is dedicated to global challenges, climate change, peace, security and sustainable development, the Society of Shared Values Foundation announced. On that occasion, Lagumdzija, in addition to Guterres, talked with key leaders of UN organizations: President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and Undersecretaries of the UN Secretary-General, High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Miguel Angel Moratinos and the executive director of ‘UN Women’ Sima Bahous. In his presentations, Lagumdzija paid special attention to the possibilities that sustainable development goals provide to the reform agendas of individual countries. He pointed to the challenges facing the Western Balkans in light of the aggression against Ukraine, as well as the possible consequences for the peace and security of the wider region.

Thirteen-year-old boy shoots teacher in Elementary School ‘Lukavac Grad’ in Lukavac; Boy’s father arrested (FTV)

A former student of the Elementary School ‘Lukavac Grad’ came to his former school with a gun on Wednesday morning and shot the teacher of English, Nedim Osmanovic. Osmanovic, who was shot in the neck, was immediately transported to the University Clinical Center of Tuzla where he was hospitalized. The doctors had to resuscitate Osmanovic upon admission to the hospital, and the procedure was repeated during the operation. Assistant General Manager for Medical Affairs of the University Clinical Center of Tuzla Igor Hudic said that after the operation, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit at the Clinic for Anaesthesia and Reanimation. “According to the information I received from the head of the Clinic for Anaesthesia and Reanimation, the patient is stable, but his condition is still life-threatening,” Hudic underlined. The suspect, who is not even fourteen years old, was arrested. The suspect of the shooting in Lukavac is a former student of the ‘Lukavac Grad’ Elementary School, who, as a disciplinary measure due to earlier problematic behaviour at school, was transferred to the ‘Lukavac Mjesto’ Elementary School. The suspect also attended the Catholic School Center in Tuzla, from where he was also expelled due to problematic behaviour. In the meantime, the shooter’s father was also arrested. Namely, police officers raided the family home of the Lukavac shooter and arrested his father. FTV stressed that it is not yet known where the child of less than fourteen years of age got the weapon and how he brought it into the school building. When it comes to this criminal act, given that it was committed by a child, it will be dealt with in accordance with the Law on the Protection and Treatment of Children and Minors in Criminal Procedures and the Law on the Protection of Persons with Mental Disabilities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), it was confirmed from the Prosecutor’s Office of the Tuzla Canton. N1 learns that the boy did not act alone but there was at least one more underaged student who was also expelled from the ‘Lukavac Grad’ school and moved to another school due to misbehaviour, and that it is suspected that the two boys had some kind of cooperation or an agreement to take revenge because of the fact that they were expelled from the school, as they announced earlier. High Representative Christian Schmidt talked on Wednesday to Lukavac Mayor, Edin Delic, wishing to learn more about the shooting. OHR stated that the HR encouraged the law-enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation. “Such incidents shake a society to its very core. I urge all relevant stakeholders, including authorities, NGOs, and education institutions, to work with young people on preventing violence and promoting dialogue and understanding,” said the High Representative. Commenting on the shooting in a primary school in Lukavac on Wednesday, B&H Minister of Security Nenad Nesic demanded an urgent reaction of all competent bodies in order to prevent similar incidents in the future. He stressed that all institutions need to start working better, from the state level to local communities. Nesic emphasized that the atmosphere of a verbal conflict that has been present in the society is taking toll. Nesic wondered how many more warnings we need to get to understand that this society is heading towards an abyss. He underlined that amending the existing legislation in several areas is necessary in order to prevent new tragedies. “If we are unable to protect children, what is the purpose of our exercising power? And not only the security sector, but all institutions must start working better,” Nesic was quoted as saying. Nesic also said: “It is obvious that decades of creating conflicts and quarrels in this area have produced such results. It is time to unite together and to jointly take measures and steps to prevent such situations.” Commenting on the shooting in a primary school in Lukavac on Wednesday, the Office of Bosniak Member of the B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic pointed out that the joint action of authorities at all levels in B&H is necessary in order to prevent unwanted consequences and increase the safety of children. “Approaching the problem of violence against children and among them in schools implies an assessment and comprehensive analysis of the educational system in B&H, risk factors, as well as systemic measures to increase children’s safety,” Becirovic’s Office said in a statement. Following shooting in a primary school in Lukavac, the FB&H government adopted several conclusions. Among other things, it was concluded that all necessary measures to prevent situations that jeopardize the safety of children and teachers in education institutions will be conducted. The FB&H government will be working on strengthening of connection between education institutions, social work services and police. It will also work on the education of teachers in regard to noticing and recognition of risk-factors. FB&H Minister of Education Jasna Durakovic said that she will hold an urgent meeting with cantonal ministers of education. She added that all competent institutions will need to be included in solving a deeply rooted problem. “We need to activate a role of the Center for Social Work, as well as pedagogy experts and psychologists in schools,” explained Durakovic. UNICEF and UNESCO issued a joint statement concerning the shooting in Lukavac elementary school. The statement reads that schools must not be places where any form of violence is present. UNICEF and UNESCO added that they are at the disposal to authorities in B&H in order to secure that schools are the places where children are safe and where they have support.

A long way to the new government of Montenegro (RSE/CdM)

The formation of the new government of Montenegro, which European officials insist on, depends both on the legal and constitutional procedure, as well as on the dynamics of future negotiations of the parties that secured parliamentary status. Political analyst Zlatko Vujovic for Radio Free Europe (RSE) estimates that, according to the most pessimistic scenario, the formation of the government could be delayed until November. “According to the Constitution, negotiations can last until the beginning of November. If the government is not elected during those three months, in that case the Assembly is dissolved, and we go to new elections.” Extraordinary parliamentary elections for 81 seats in the Montenegrin parliament were held on 11 June, and the new government needs the support of at least 41 deputies. No party or coalition won a dominant majority. The Europe Now Movement will have the most MPs at 24, the coalition led by the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) at 21, the pro-Serbian coalition of the recently disbanded Democratic Front (DF) at 13, while the Democrats and URA have 11 MPs. Other parties, including parties of national minorities, won a single-digit number of mandates.

Deadlines for the formation of the government

According to the Constitution, the discussions on the formation of the new government are preceded by the constitution of a new convocation of the parliament. The constitutive session of the new parliament will be held fifteen days after the State Election Commission announces the final election results. The final results will be announced after the election is repeated at one polling station and after the decisions of the Constitutional Court on potential appeals against the election process have been made. After the formation of the new convocation of the Assembly, the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic will hold consultations with the holders of electoral lists and party leaders for the next 30 days. Milatovic then proposes a candidate from the political group that convinces him that he has the support of the parliamentary majority. The mandate holder has 90 days to assemble the cabinet and work program of the future government. At the session, the Assembly decides whether to support the mandate holder. “If the Assembly is constituted at the beginning of July, as is to be expected, the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic should give the mandate to the new representative by the beginning of August, and the deadline for the formation of the government will start from that day,” says Zlatko Vujovic.

The search for a parliamentary majority

When it comes to the upcoming negotiations on the formation of the ruling political bloc that will support the new government, Vujovic states that the situation is complicated. He reminds that at the local level, including in Podgorica, the Movement Europe now has now formed a government with the majority parties from the 2020 elections. These are the pro-Serbian Democratic Front, the Democrats and the URA. “All these parties held together. We don’t know if Milojko Spajic will respect that model, if he becomes the mandate holder, and at the national level. Some divisions are much stronger there,” says Vujovic, referring to the affair that marked the end of the pre-election campaign. After the publication of the preliminary election results, Spajic said that he will not form the government with Dritan Abazovic‘s DPS and URA because they are parties that “in the past abused the institutions”. Just before the election, Abazovic announced that the arrested “cryptocurrency king” South Korean Do Kwon had sent him a letter in which he mentioned Spajic in a negative context. And the Minister of Internal Affairs and Abazovic’s party colleague Filip Adzic specified that there is a suspicion that the crypto community financed certain political subjects. “The figure is not negligible. The laptop also contains evidence of joint business between Spajic and Do Kwon.” The Movement Europe has reacted by filing a criminal complaint against Prime Minister Abazovic, claiming that he abused the security institutions. In addition, they accused Abazovic of being “the creator and orderer of the Do Kwon affair and the persecution of Spajic”, which Abazovic denied. The day after the election, Spajic’s Movement announced that in the next few days it will hold intra-party consultations, after which it will come forward “with a clear position on the formation of the government”.

Everyone would join the government, but under their own conditions

The holder of the coalition list around DPS, led by Danijel Zivkovic, said that without them there is no stable, reformist government. And Milan Knezevic, the leader of the electoral list of the recently disbanded pro-Serbian DF, said that without their support there is no stable majority and added that they are ready to put a “moratorium on all issues that divide”. In the campaign, Knezevic and Andrija Mandic announced that they would annul the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. During the campaign, Knezevic spoke at the counter rally of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, where, among other things, he gave full support to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Without their list, there is no stable government, said the leaders of the Democrats and URA, Aleksa Becic and Dritan Abazovic. Zlatko Vujovic says that at the moment it is very difficult to predict the events surrounding the formation of a new government, without ruling out the possibility that the result will be new elections. “If we don’t get a new government, then the Assembly is dissolved, and a new election process is started. It should take place at the latest, if everything happens according to this scenario, sometime in early January”.

Will Spajic be a mandate holder?

Given that the Movement won the most votes and mandates in the Assembly, Milojko Spajic, as the holder of the list, is the first favourite to receive a mandate for the composition of the government. Vujovic believes that President Milatovic would send the best message if he would immediately, in the first few days of consultations, assign the mandate to Spajic. “Nevertheless, we should not immediately accept the thesis that Spajic, as the relative winner of these elections, will also be the mandate holder. Everything depends on who will be the mandate holder, and the mandate holder has an opportunity, a wide space to try to secure an absolute majority of MPs to support the government”.

Borrell and Varhelyi: Form the new parliament and government as soon as possible, they must be committed to reforms and the path to the EU (CdM)

The EU expects the constitution of a new parliament and the formation of a government, which will be able and committed to progress in reforms related to the EU, in the shortest possible time, the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell and the Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said in a joint statement. “We encourage political actors in Montenegro to quickly focus on building a consensus on the priority actions necessary for the advancement of Montenegro on its path to the EU, especially in the area of the rule of law,” Borrell and Varhelyi emphasize. They emphasize that the EU greatly appreciates Montenegro’s commitment to the path to EU membership and is ready to increase its support for progress, which is the wish of the vast majority of Montenegrin citizens. The statement assesses that the parliamentary elections held on June 11 were free and peaceful, according to the conclusions of domestic and international observers. “The joint election observation mission of the OSCE/ODIHR, the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe characterized the elections as competitive and well conducted, despite the fact that they were held in the context of a prolonged institutional and constitutional crisis. “The preliminary conclusions of the international election observation mission also state that the election administration conducted the elections effectively, and that the campaign was free, and voters were offered a wide choice – noting that the media environment is polarized,” the joint statement said. It is recalled that the OSCE/ODIHR mission once again emphasized that the legal framework should be comprehensively revised in order to solve a number of gaps and inconsistencies. “Furthermore, the preliminary conclusions of the mission state that the inclusion of women in the political process in Montenegro is still low and undermined by the insufficient efforts of the state and the public to overcome gender stereotypes, and most political parties have failed to promote women’s participation,” the report concludes.

Presker: To sit down at the table and agree on a majority that will be pro-European, a stable government is necessary for the progress of Montenegro (RTCG)

In order for Montenegro to progress, a strong and stable parliamentary majority is necessary, which will therefore give a strong and stable government, said the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Montenegro Gregor Presker. Presker pointed out that after the peaceful transition of power, Montenegro reached democratic development. “After 2020, when the elections took place in a democratic manner, and after a peaceful transition of power, as is the case in the member states of the EU, I think that Montenegro has achieved some greater democratic development,” he said. Presker commented on the low turnout of Montenegrin citizens in the recently held parliamentary elections, stressing that such a low turnout is atypical for Montenegro. “It is atypical for Montenegro that the turnout is low if we compare it to the presidential elections that were held a little more than two months ago,” said Presker. According to Presker, this sent a message to the voters. “I wouldn’t say it’s saturation, I think it was more affected by too little was offered by politicians to the voters,” he said. “If we look at that aspect of Montenegro’s accession to the EU and the support of the citizens, which now reaches 80 percent, that is an incredible number. The turnout probably shows that the politicians did not fulfil the voters’ wishes related to speeding up the path to the EU”, stressed Presker. Now after the election, as he emphasized, it is necessary to reach a compromise. “The elections are over and now we can bury the hatchet, sit down at the table and move towards the approach of Montenegro to the European Union. It is not only the path of Montenegro towards the European Union that is important, it is only important for the citizens, because with the acceptance of European standards, the standard of living of the citizens of Montenegro will also improve”, he said. He emphasizes that a strong and stable parliamentary majority is necessary for the progress of Montenegro. “Now we need to sit down at the table and agree on a majority that will be pro-European, now is the time for clear signals to come from this address that Montenegro has done something concrete and that it can still cope with the fact that it is the closest to membership in the EU and that it will to be its next member”, said Presker. He said that it is necessary for Montenegro to show concrete results and measurable actions in order to progress in the negotiation process with the EU. “Nobody can base their decisions and policies on promises, they need to be specific and progress concretely in the negotiation chapters,” said Presker.

Milatovic-Lundberg: Full commitment to further cooperation with the United Nations and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (CdM)

We continue our successful cooperation with thanks to the agencies of the United Nations for supporting the democratic and economic development of our country, said Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic during the meeting with the resident coordinator of the UN in Montenegro Peter Lundberg. The topics of discussion, as announced by the President’s Cabinet, were further directions of cooperation between Montenegro and the United Nations, the upcoming UN General Assembly and the Summit dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals, which will be held in the fall at the UN headquarters in New York, USA. “We continue our successful cooperation with thanks to United Nations agencies for supporting the democratic and economic development of our country. The General Assembly and the Summit will be an opportunity for Montenegro to show that it is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN and that we are ready to work additionally on their further fulfilment,” said Milatovic. The cabinet adds that resident coordinator Lundberg thanked Montenegro for the donation of one million euros to the Fund for Accelerated Development of Montenegro, which is the largest contribution to the financial mechanism of a country in relation to the number of inhabitants. He said, as before, that Montenegro will have the full support of the United Nations in all areas that encourage its development, especially in the strategic areas of the Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development 2023-2027. “We believe that the issue of social cohesion, as one of your priorities, but also an important segment of the work of the United Nations, will be properly addressed through the Peace Building Fund of the UN Secretary General”, said Lundberg, emphasizing that the UN system remains a reliable partner to the people of Montenegro. in achieving national development priorities. The cabinet adds that the meeting also agreed to work on joint activities to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Mickoski: VMRO-DPMNE’s position on constitutional amendments clear, alleged change of position is a spin (Alfa TV)

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said he had clearly stated the position at the leaders’ meeting with Prime Minister and SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski last Wednesday – that the party will support constitutional amendments only if they have a delayed effect, i.e. if they come into force when the country becomes a member of the EU. “When it becomes a member of the big family, then Bulgarians will be welcomed in the Preamble of the Constitution… If it takes three years, what is the problem for Bulgarians to wait three years to become part of our Constitution,” Mickoski said in an interview with Alfa TV. He added that in the past week after the leaders’ meeting “we see spinning and twisting the truth and even lying” by SDSM and DUI and by smaller political parties saying that VMRO-DPMNE agreed on constitutional changes, noting that there are not 80 MPs to accept the amendments. “The goal with such lying and alleged change of position is that they think VMRO-DPMNE will get a negative perception among some voters, and it will reduce VMRO-DPMNE’s potential and transfer the difference to smaller “vulture” political parties, who pretend to be fake oppositionists,” said Mickoski. He added that the country was “stuck” on the path to full-fledged EU membership and therefore VMRO-DPMNE, “aware of the processes and the future of Macedonia and the people”, was constructive and proactive and has offered a solution that is not humiliating. “We say yes – in the name of process, but with delayed effect. And that’s what I told Kovachevski,” Mickoski added.

Marichikj: Expecting motion on constitutional amendments in Parliament in next few weeks (Telma TV/MIA)

We expect the motion for constitutional changes to be in the Parliament in the next few weeks, and the procedure and discussion will begin there. We believe it is correct and important for every MP to have the opportunity to express themselves, said Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj. Commenting on the process of constitutional amendments, Marichikj told Telma TV on Wednesday that efforts to reach out to the opposition with reason and to discuss reasonably will continue. “I am sure that if we take enough time and have the right approach to explain to every MP the importance and responsibility, and the consequences of accepting or not accepting this proposal, this motion, we will reach two thirds,” said Marichikj. Asked what if two-thirds majority is not reached, Marichikj expressed confidence that it will be reached, and if it is not reached, it means that we have set up a roadblock ourselves and have stopped on the path. “Those who will vote against, and those who will decide to impose a new veto, this time on themselves, they will have to give an answer to the citizens why we have to wait for another ten years. Meanwhile, Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine and Moldova will move forward and become members of the EU,” Marichikj said. As regards whether unsuccessful voting on the motion would also mean elections in the autumn, Marichikj said “there will be no voting until it is successful.” “That is my impression, that the first vote will be successful, whenever it happens,” said Marichikj. Marichikj reiterated that it would be good if VMRO-DPMNE decided to participate and discuss under what conditions, or with mutual consent, the initiative should be sent to the Parliament. “That’s why it is important to sit down for talks, at whatever level they want, in order to arrive at the exact calendar on how to proceed,” Marichikj said.

Bytyqi: Door open for VMRO-DPMNE to join national consensus on EU (Lokalno/MIA)

The door is open for VMRO-DPMNE to join the national consensus on the EU and act responsibly. It has to be clear where we are headed, and what political goals we are fighting for, otherwise, we won’t achieve any results, said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs and SDSM vice-president Fatmir Bytyqi in an interview for Lokalno. “Our aspirations are towards the EU, and that means that the parties and politicians should also develop a political culture in which the decisions aren’t always made through the prism of election results, i.e., wins and losses. As a ruling party, we are underscoring the historic and strategic importance of the constitutional amendments, which the country can only benefit from. The issue of whether some of the parties might have more or less votes at the parliamentary elections is less important. We must overcome the anomaly which bases political decisions only on partisan interests. There are political circumstances, like the current ones, in which the decisions should be based on the interests and future of the citizens,” stressed Bytyqi. According to Bytyqi, the political calculations are a symptom of irresponsible political behaviour. “The leader of the opposition has introduced a new ‘quality’ in the political space, and this is inconsistency and confusion in the public expression of political positions concerning the country’s strategic interests. He is occasionally trying to hide his consistency at times with statements about setting some conditions, i.e., creating the perception that he has the capacity to define or influence a certain political situation or processes in the country. He is trying to compensate for his political irresponsibility with a political narrative of sowing fear, distrust in society, which inflames nationalism. He talks about some kind of coming together but sends messages of division. He says the goal is the ‘survival’ of the country. EU is not our existential enemy that we have to unite against. On the contrary, the Euro-integration can inject additional political vital energy in the country,” stressed Bytyqi.  Bytyqi said VMRO-DPMNE is a political stakeholder in the country and must act responsibly when it comes to one of the conditions of the negotiating framework, the MPs from its ranks, said Bytyqi, “must overcome themselves and the closed-mindedness of their political party, they have to change their political behaviour when it comes to the broader and greater interests of society.”

President Pendarovski meets UK Special Envoy Peach (MIA)

President Stevo Pendarovski met Wednesday with Lord Stuart Peach, the United Kingdom Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, who will take part at the Prespa Forum Dialogue 2023 in Struga on 15-16 June. Pendarovski and Peach discussed the development of North Macedonia-UK relations over the past 30 years and the possibilities for enhancement of cooperation on topics of mutual interest, the President’s Office said in a press release. President Pendarovski highlighted the significance that North Macedonia attaches to the British support in many areas and through various forms, expecting it to continue in the future. Interlocutors also exchanged opinions and information on current developments in the broader region, especially in the context of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, as well as the countries’ response within NATO, reads the press release.

Rama: We are waiting for the KFOR say, which is investigating the case, our stance is immediate de-escalation (Radio Tirana)

In a reaction on the case of the three police officers from Kosovo being arrested, Prime Minister Edi Rama underlined that he is waiting for the KFOR say on the matter, since the case is being investigated, while urging for immediate de-escalation, referring to the situation. “Who says that we are being silent or who wants us to add fuel to the fire by raising accusations while KFOR is investigating the case, does not have the concern of Kosovo or Albania, but only about the lost political war with me or about the policy of the imaginary war with Serbia. That’s why I have to remind you once again that Albania is part of the Euro-Atlantic community and has fixed the same line of this community, which bombed Serbia and created the state of Kosovo! We are waiting for KFOR findings, which is investigating the case, and we our stance is immediate de-escalation!” emphasized Rama.

Begaj: Serbia should release them immediately, a provocative act to destabilize the region (Radio Tirana)

Albanian President Bajram Begaj considers the kidnapping of three Kosovo police officers inside Kosovo territory by Serbian troops a serious provocative act to destabilize Kosovo and the region. The head of state said that the “escalation to de-escalation” strategies must end. While condemning this act, President Begaj called on the Serbian authorities to immediately release the Kosovo police personnel. “The kidnapping of three Kosovo Police officers inside Kosovo territory by Serbian troops is a serious provocative act to destabilize Kosovo and the entire region. I strongly condemn this act and call on the Serbian authorities to release the Kosovo operatives,” said Begaj while also calling on international partners to intervene and discourage other similar actions. Begaj also emphasized that the coordination between the US and the EU for the return to the dialogue table between Pristina and Belgrade is very important. “I make a fraternal appeal to the Kosovo authorities not to fall prey to provocations and to contribute to the de-tensioning of the situation. The coordination between the US and the EU for the return to the dialogue table is very important,” he concluded.