LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic wishes happy RS Day (Tanjug/RTV)

Today, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister of Republika Srpska (RS) Radovan Viskovic on the occasion of the RS Day. “On the occasion of the Day of RS, on behalf of the government of the Republic of Serbia and on my own behalf, I send you and the citizens my hearty congratulations, with best wishes for the progress and well-being of the RS and the Serbian people. RS always has a sincere friend in Serbia with all its resources and selfless help for further development. We continue to fight together for peace and stability with work, knowledge and creativity, so that the region starts on the path of progress, for the benefit of all citizens. I wish all the citizens of the RS good health, safety and happiness in their personal lives, and I wish the RS success and progress,” Brnabic wrote in her message.

Vucic congratulates Dodik on RS Day (Tanjug/Politika/RTV/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday congratulated RS President Milorad Dodik on 9 January, RS Day. “On behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Serbia and on my own behalf, I wholeheartedly congratulate you on RS Day, with sincere wishes for peace, happiness, progress, security and prosperity of all citizens of Srpska,” Vucic said in a congratulatory message. “We believed that difficult times are behind us, but I am afraid that a time of great challenges, for Serbia and Srpska alike, is yet ahead. I said this because good times and times of happiness cannot exist separately and independently for Serbia or Srpska. Also, a time of challenges for one is the same for the other,” he added. “Throughout all these years, Serbia has been acting responsibly and supporting consistently the Dayton Peace Agreement and the legal frameworks issuing from that agreement. Unfortunately, many of those who have taken part in the adoption of that framework are trying to ridicule its basic postulates and, essentially, erase the existence of Republika Srpska with its constitutionally guaranteed powers. The Republic of Serbia will not change its position and it will remain committed to the letter of the Dayton Agreement, supporting the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina while also opposing strongly an abolition or any kind of humiliation of Republika Srpska,” Vucic noted. “Dear President, the great tasks of preserving the Serbian language, the Cyrillic script, the joint traditional values of the Serbs and the culture of remembrance of the plight of the Serbs are ahead of us. Also ahead of us is further strengthening of our economic, political and all other ties, from construction of motorways and railways to strengthening of institutional cooperation at all levels and in all fields. I assure you, Mr President, that in Serbia you will have a sincere, a strong and the closest partner in accomplishment of those objectives,” Vucic wrote in the message to Dodik. “At the same time, it is our common task to safeguard peace and the future of our region. I know you will do everything in your power to maintain regional stability as it is also in the highest interest of our people, the Serbs,” he added.

Djilas asks Party of Euroepam Socialists to support demands to repeal election results in Serbia (Beta)

Freedom and Justice Party president Dragan Djilas has sent a letter to the Party of European Socialists (PES) stating that Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic set forth a series of untruths in her dispatch to the party early in January and called on the PES Presidency to support the demand to repeal the results of elections held in Serbia on 17 December 2023. In his letter to the PES, released by the Party of Freedom and Justice, Djilas stated that Brnabic’s letter omitted to thank Russian security services, which allegedly had information on opposition protests, or the police for “excessive use of force” after protests during which more than 50 protesters were arrested. The leader of the Serbian party also cited statements by the ODIHR election observer mission, the Council of Europe mission and European Parliament member Andreas Schieder, which all say the 17 December election in Serbia was marked by irregularities and was neither fair nor democratic. He went on to say that opposition supporters in Serbia had “their children expelled from pre-school, employment terminated, had their cars set on fire”, and that employees in state administration, public utility companies and public enterprises were required to secure 20 to 50 votes from among their friends to keep their jobs. Djilas once again asked for support from the international community in demands to annul elections in Serbia and to establish a special international commission to investigate all election irregularities.

ODIHR spokesperson: Final report on elections expected by end-February (N1)

ODIHR spokesperson Katya Andrusz told N1 that ODIHR will be making every effort to complete the final report on Serbian 17 December elections in the coming weeks, and that its is expected to be published by the end of February. Andrusz told N1 that “ODIHR’s cooperation with the national authorities is important in every country in which we observe”.

“Our conversations with people involved in the elections, including government officials and politicians from across the political spectrum, as well as civil society and the media, are a mainstay of the information we gather and a key element of our election observation methodology,” she explained. Andrusz said ODIHR is now working on the final report. It will contain our assessment of the entire election process as well as recommendations to improve it for the future, for the benefit of all Serbian citizens, she said. “As always, ODIHR is offering to assist the authorities in implementing those recommendations. Preparing final election reports is a complex task, and in line with our standard procedure take a number of months to finalise. However, we will be making every effort to complete the report in the coming weeks, and expect it to be published by the end of February,” said Andrusz.

Lutovac expecting to take decisive stand on Serbia election irregularities (Beta)

Democratic Party leader Zoran Lutovac on 7 January said that in regard to irregularities registered during the 17 December vote in Serbia, he was expecting from the EU and the European Parliament (EP) to take a principled and decisive stand of not tolerating anything that would not be tolerated in the EU countries. In an interview with Beta, Lutovac said that Serbia had been on the EU accession path for a long time now, while in the past 12 years, the country had been either stalling or moving backwards. “There is no rule of law and no freedom of the press, while crime and corruption have reached unimaginable proportions, and there are no free and fair elections either…,” Lutovac specified. He added that the first step would be not to give legitimacy to vote rigging in Serbia, noting that in that context, the only right way was for the EU to support the values it advocated. “The first step toward building a democratic society could be setting up a commission which would, based on the presented evidence, suggest annulment of irregular voting and creation of conditions for holding free and fair elections,” the Democratic Party leader explained.

EU: License plates prove Belgrade-Pristina dialogue possible (Beta)

The implementation of the agreement on motor vehicle license plates has shown that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is possible and Brussels is working toward the application of the Ohrid Agreement, legally binding for both sides, within that framework, European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said in Brussels yesterday. Stano stressed that the dialogue would resume as soon as Serbia’s new cabinet is formed and that the EC would assist both sides, as Pristina and Belgrade need to carry out everything that was agreed. EU members and institutions expect that to happen as soon as possible. Asked if a top-level meeting in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue could be expected in due time, the EC spokesman said the dialogue continued to advance at all levels and that a meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti would be announced once all conditions were present and an agenda for the meeting was set. Stano’s response to a journalist’s remark that Serbia was not progressing toward EU membership for other important reasons was that one could say so, but did not state the reasons. He added that the EU and US were following along closely and voiced the conviction that both sides would redouble their efforts toward the implementation of the Brussels and Ohrid deals this year.

Tepic to Stano: Call the situation in Serbia by its proper name (N1)

Claims that the West is interfering in the electoral process in Serbia and that it is behind the opposition protests in Belgrade are not made by Russia, but by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), through the statements of its officials and media that it fully controls, Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) deputy leader Marinika Tepic said in an open letter to EC spokesperson Peter Stano. “There is no doubt that the Russian side is rejoicing over such claims, but it is also a fact that Russian Ambassador to Serbia Botsan-Kharchenko himself said that President Vucic was the one who informed him that the West is behind the protests. It is also indisputable that Aleksandar Vucic has never rebutted Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko’s claims. It is also indisputable that Prime Minister Brnabic publicly thanked the Russian services for their ‘help’, which was pompously published in all domestic tabloids and broadcast by all television stations directly controlled by Aleksandar Vucic,” wrote Tepic. She asked Stano to call the situation in Serbia for what it is. “Please start calling what we are living here and going through in our struggle for democracy, freedom and justice by its proper name,” said Tepic. Responding to a reporter’s question on how Brussels views Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s and Serbian government’s claims that the EU organized the protests in Serbia in order to topple the government and that it learnt about this from the Russian intelligence services, Stano said Monday that “it is total nonsense to say that the EU is trying to interfere or stimulate any kind of anti-government protest, these are Russian narratives which need to be tackled”.

Spain to recognize Kosovo passports, not its independence (El Pais/Beta)

The Spanish Foreign Ministry confirmed that Spain had accepted Kosovo’s passports as valid, but that it would not recognize its independence, El Pais daily reported. Quoting sources at the Ministry the newspaper explained on 7 January that all the states of the EU belonging to the Schengen area, which had refused to recognize the independence of Kosovo, namely, Spain, Greece and Slovakia, would accept the use of ordinary Kosovo passports, which “in no way implies recognition of Kosovo’s independence”. The same sources were quoted as saying that “without the latest development, Kosovo’s passport holders would have found it difficult to visit legally the states that have refused to recognize an independent Kosovo”. They also went on to say that “Spain will give, and continue to give advantage to the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue as a way to resolve the Kosovo issue”, and “is trying to minimize its influence on citizens”. Over the past few years, the Spanish government has made the recognition of Kosovo’s independence conditional on an agreement with Serbia, but promised not to hinder Pristina’s accession to the EU.

REGIONAL PRESS

Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over B&H as part of bilateral air-to-ground training with JTAC from US Army Special Forces and Armed Forces of B&H (Nova BH)

The reporter notes that due worsening of the political situation in B&H, the US has conveyed a message that it will not allow anti-Dayton and secessionist activity and will act if needed. The reporter goes on to say that the US demonstrated its commitment to territorial integrity of B&H with activities on Monday, i.e. two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons were flying over B&H, and the US Embassy to B&H stated that flyovers were carried out over Brcko and Tuzla and that aerial refuelling was carried out over the territory of RS. Nova BH carries video footage of aerial refuelling on Monday and reports that, according to military experts, it is one of the most complex and dangerous maneuvers and even the slightest mistake could have catastrophic consequences. The US Air Force F-16 jets were flying over Tuzla and Brcko as part of a bilateral air-to-ground training with joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) from the US Army Special Forces (SOF) and Armed Forces of B&H (AFB&H). Avaz.ba carries a statement issued by the US Embassy to B&H, which reads that two United States Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons will conduct bilateral air-to-ground training with joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) from the United States Army Special Forces (SOF) and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFB&H) in the Tuzla and Brcko region on the afternoon of January 8. According to the statement, this bilateral training is an example of advanced military-to-military cooperation that contributes to peace and security in the Western Balkans as well as demonstrates the United States’ commitment to ensuring the territorial integrity of B&H in the face of anti-Dayton and secessionist activity. “The United States has underscored that the B&H Constitution provides no right of secession, and it will act if anyone tries to change this basic element of Dayton. The training event is part of efforts by U.S. forces to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures with the AFB&H.  The mission also will be supported by a KC-135 Stratotanker that will provide aerial refuelling for the F-16s over the RS entity of B&H. U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa routinely engage militarily with regional partners to provide training opportunities, enhance interoperability, and demonstrate our shared commitment to common security objectives. B&H is a key U.S. partner with a shared goal in regional stability. U.S. aircraft will return to base immediately following mission completion.  The ability to rapidly deploy, reach a target and return home demonstrates the United States’ ability to project power anywhere at a moment’s notice and operate alongside Allies and partners”, reads the statement.

Helez meets US military attaché Adams, approves fly-over of US planes (Oslobodjenje)

Minister of Defense of B&H Zukan Helez held an urgent meeting on Monday with US military attaché to B&H Brigadier Eric Adams. Helez approved Monday’s fly-over of three US planes while respecting provisions of the Law on Aviation of B&H and Law on Defense of B&H. “The bilateral exercise of the JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) teams of the special forces of US Army and Armed Forces of B&H, one day before marking of unconstitutional day of RS, shows that USA will not calmly observe anti-Dayton activities of the authorities in the RS entity”, Helez told Adams, who thanked Helez for successful cooperation. Helez and Adams discussed the complex political situation in B&H and training of members of the Armed Forces of B&H with colleagues from the US Army. “I urge (RS President and SNSD leader) Milorad Dodik and RS authorities to give up anti-Dayton activities, secessionist policy and policy of 1990s and to turn toward Euro-Atlantic integration”, Helez stated.

Officials and analysts comment on two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flying over B&H (Nova BH)

Nova BH reports that two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons were flying over B&H on Monday. The reporter notes that since the training was conducted ahead of 9 January, which is marked as the RS Day in the RS, it was condemned by RS President Milorad Dodik. “I have been officially informed that they do not have approval of the B&H Presidency. But, since they are already here, we believe that with their presence they will support celebration of the RS Day”, wrote Dodik on his X account. “The circling of the US plane that disturbs our citizens is rude. How can they think that they are helping? If they do not want to accept Serbs as a friendly people, and if they show their hostility towards us, how do they think we can be friends?”, said Dodik to those present at the ceremonial academy in Banja Luka. The reporter notes that other political officials from the RS were appeased by the fact that the US jets were not flying over the RS territory. Addressing the press conference on Monday, RS parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic said: “I would just like to say that those who said they would fly over the RS were not right. The route was Brcko which is a joint property and Tuzla. So, they did not fly over the RS”. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said: “We are only celebrating our birthday, the birthday of the RS and no one has the right to disturb us or to deny us that”. The reporter notes that still no one can deny that the presence of the US fighter jets in B&H’s airspace is a pretty clear message. Military and political analyst Hamza Visca said for Nova BH: “We can confidently say it is a clear message that B&H is not on the margins of the US’ interests. On the contrary. They are truly monitoring the situation in BiH which has, unfortunately, worsened over the past several months. But it does not mean that this can have a big impact.” “To your aviation and the threatening F-16 planes, we will deploy our aviation – over one million paper planes, filled with love. The RS is a republic of peace, a republic of love, a republic of freedom. A symbol of freedom”, wrote SNSD member Radovan Kovacevic. Kovacevic said that it is clear that the reason for the overflight of the US plane over the territory of B&H is to show to “our little RS” “their big muscles”. “The Serbs and the RS will not be prevented in celebrating January 9 with the threats of the NATO alliance by flying over of criminal F-16 planes, nor will they scare them”, said the President of the Organization of Seniors of the Army of the RS Slobodan Zupljanin. He said that the provocations that come from the joint action of the US Embassy, the Office of High Representative (OHR) and political Sarajevo are expected.

RS leadership lays wreath at memorials in Banja Luka; Dodik: RS is showing its ability to manage and exist in difficult circumstances in which hybrid war is being waged against RS by individual Western countries (RTRS)

On the occasion of RS Day, wreaths were laid on the memorials across Banja Luka on Monday. The wreaths were laid by RS President Milorad Dodik, Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic, speaker of the RS parliament Nenad Stevandic and RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic. Dodik stated that the RS has shown that it is a community of love and solidarity. “We have celebrated many holidays in recent days in peace, happiness and tolerance”, said Dodik. Dodik added: “The celebration of RS Day begins with the laying of wreaths. We mark it as better, stronger, more stable, institutionally better organized.” Cvijanovic said that the RS Day is a holiday of peace and freedom and added that everyone wants a peaceful and stable Serbia. Viskovic stressed that Serbs and the RS are an eternal category “whose birthday, 9 January, will always be celebrated”. Viskovic said that one cannot dispute someone’s date of birth and told everyone who attacks RS that this is a reflection of their lack of power. “It is incomprehensible to dispute someone’s date of birth. The date of birth of neither an individual nor the RS, which was created on January 9, can be changed by decree”, Viskovic underlined. Stevandic stressed that the celebration of RS Day begins with the expression of gratitude for all the fathers and grandfathers who fought for freedom in the Patriotic War, the Second World War and all other wars, and assessed that kindness will defeat the evil that conspired against 9 January. Dodik said that the RS is showing its ability to “manage and exist in difficult circumstances in which a hybrid war is being waged against the RS by individual Western countries. That war implies specific measures we have witnessed over past months and days. In any case, we are very determined to maintain stability and peace, to, through adhering to the B&H Constitution and the RS Constitution, maintain what is legacy of primarily the peace process that ended in Dayton”. Cvijanovic said: “Through the Day of the Republic we want to wish peaceful and stable RS to all our citizens, with the promise that we will work to keep it as such in future. We would like to tank to all who contributed to development of the Republic, whether they participated in the defense-homeland war or underwent different political processes and made decisions that were always difficult and (made) under pressure. But we have persevered the whole time and we will persevere in future”.

Formal ceremony and reception on occasion of RS Day held in Banja Luka; Dodik: The goal of Serb people is a Serb state in this area and its freedom (RTRS)

On the occasion of marking 9 January as RS Day, a formal ceremony (Note: It is called “Symbol of Freedom”) was held at the Borik Sports Hall as well as a reception at the Administrative Center of the RS, in Banja Luka on Monday evening. The formal academy and reception in Banja Luka gathered a large number of guests from the public, social and political life of the RS, Serbia, the region and ambassadors of certain countries. According to RTRS, proudly and majestically, the RS is celebrating its 32nd birthday this year. RTRS further reported that, created in peace on 9 January 1992, defended in war and confirmed in Dayton, the RS has been building its political future and economic prosperity for more than three decades. RTRS also carried that messages of peace were sent from Banja Luka, and it was stated that this is an opportunity to remember and show that the RS knows who and what it is, where it originated and where it is heading. Attendees sent a message that pressures of foreigners in B&H prove that the RS protects its freedom and manages its political, economic, cultural and economic aspects. RS President Milorad Dodik stated that the RS is ready to build good relations with everyone, but it demands to be respected. Dodik warned that, if it is not respected, then the RS’ “entity border” will become permanent. Dodik asserted that the RS determines its goals and that no one has the right to do that instead of the RS. “The goal of the Serb people is a Serb state in this area and its freedom. The RS has thus secured its freedom”, the RS President stated. The RS President added that whoever thinks they can destroy the RS shows their weakness rather than powerlessness of the RS. He concluded that the RS wants peace and stability, and that the RS is not the one that will threaten peace. He added: “Stop taking away what is ours. Long live the RS. Long live Serbia.” Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov stated that the RS is being accused of “allegedly violating the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA)”, adding that “it seems that when these people say that there is a fake High Representative (HR)” they are allegedly violating the DPA. Kalabukhov believes this cannot be a basis to blame the RS. In a letter read at the ceremony, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that good and happy times cannot be separate for the RS and Serbia. Serbian Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic noted that the RS is part of the freedom spirit and that the joint story of the RS and Serbia is not directed against anyone. “All of us are proud of this date”, Vucevic said. Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly Vladimir Orlic said that Serbia always stands by the RS and added that they jointly mark 9 January and preserve peace. Patriarch of the Serb Orthodox Church Porfirije pointed out the need to continue building and preserving Serb unity “regardless of differences”. RS President Milorad Dodik and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic agreed to organize synchronized fireworks on Tuesday at 20:00 hours in all cities of the RS and in Belgrade, on the occasion of marking 9 January as the RS Day.

Dress rehearsal for RS Day parade held in Banja Luka (RTRS)

A dress rehearsal of the ceremonial parade, which is set to take place as the central event of RS Day celebration, took place at the Krajina Square in Banja Luka on Monday evening. Around 3,000 members of the RS Ministry of Interior (MoI), public and civil sector of the RS are expected to participate. In a live interview for RTRS, RS Minister of Interior Sinisa Karan stated that Tuesday’s ceremonial parade is the crown of the RS Day celebrations. “This parade will be different and more beautiful in many ways, and we want as many citizens as possible to attend it. And tonight, citizens are with us who want to see the dress rehearsal”, said Karan. In addition, Karan noted that this year’s parade will have the largest number of participants so far. “We will have 22 echelons of the MoI, of which 14 are infantry and eight are motorized. The news is that there will be three echelons of students from the High School of Internal Affairs. There are also 55 echelons of the civil sector”, the minister specified. He pointed out that these are echelons of peace and love, in contrast to “today’s American echelons” of unrest that have flown over. Karan invited the citizens to attend the ceremonial parade of the echelon of peace and love, but also to guarantee the safety of all citizens of RS and the constitutional position and strength of the RS.

War victims’ associations demand that 9 January is proclaimed Day of Mourning; They will visit Potocari on Tuesday (NAP.ba)

The Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide, the Association ‘Movement of Mothers of Enclaves of Srebrenica and Zepa’ and ‘Women of Podrinje’ Association have sent to competent B&H institutions a demand that 9 January is the Day of Mourning and that respect to victims killed in the joint criminal enterprise is paid on that day. The same demand was also sent to the PIC, High Representative Christian Schmidt, RS President Milorad Dodik and RS parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic. Nova BH reports that the Associations pointed to the Hague Tribunal judgements for war crimes committed by 1995, requesting to pay respect to “the victims of the criminal enterprise” every 9 January. These Associations also announced that they will lay down flowers in Potocari on Tuesday together with B&H Presidency member Denis Becirovic, and other B&H and international officials. They stated that they will do this on the occasion of “unconstitutional” marking of 9 January. President of the ‘Srebrenica Mothers’ Associations Fazila Efendic said that it is inhumane act to celebrate January 9 as the RS Day and that “they should be ashamed of their deeds” instead. Commenting on the marking of 9 January as the RS Day, RS Vice President Camil Durakovic told FTV that the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H is tasked with protection of the connotational organization of the state of B&H and its laws, noting that the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H has competences to react in this case of unlawful marking of the RS Day.

OSCE, OHR’s statements on marking of RS Day (BHT1)

Celebrating 9 January as the Day of RS violates not only the Constitution of B&H, but also the Constitution of RS, the OSCE Mission to B&H stated. The OSCE called on the RS authorities to respect the decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H. Stating that disobeying the decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H constitutes a criminal offense, the High Representative Christian Schmidt, previously called on the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H and the police to take appropriate steps prescribed by law. BHT1 reminded that the Constitutional Court of B&H made a decision in 2016 according to which celebrating the Day of RS on 9 January is unconstitutional. The Constitutional Court of B&H did not challenge the right of the believers to celebrate the baptism of Saint Stephen, but it determined that “Day of RS” cannot be 9 January. This decision has been ignored by the RS authorities for the eighth year in a row, and they are celebrating it with a series of events.

Leaders of parties gathered around SNSD-led ruling coalition in the RS discuss adoption of RS election law; Stevandic: If this law is adopted, then local elections in the RS in 2024 will be held in line with that law (BNTV)

After the meeting of the ruling coalition at the RS parliament building held on Monday, at which participants spoke about an election law of the RS, it was said that a working version of the law was analysed and that further consultations will be made. It was emphasized that this will be a “ready response” in case Christian Schmidt imposes changes to the Election Law of B&H. Representatives of opposition parties did not attend this meeting, saying they do not trust Milorad Dodik and his “satellites”. Members of the ruling coalition explained that in line with an entity election law, the RS would be competent to hold local elections and to elect the RS President and the Vice Presidents, members of the RS parliament, councillors at the local level, municipality heads and mayors. On the other hand, it was said that the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H can regulate elections at the B&H level. RS parliament speaker Nenad Stevandic said that if this law is adopted, then local elections in the RS in 2024 will be held in line with that law. He mentioned three important things in all this – that constitutional framework for adoption of such a law is undisputable, and it is included both in the Constitution of B&H and the Constitution of the RS. Stevandic noted that this law is the best law in B&H and in the region as it envisages digital control of votes adding that those that attended Monday’s meeting are those that respect institutions and the constitutional position of the RS, and those that did not come to the meeting are siding with Christian Schmidt and his imposition of laws. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic explains that this is a working version of the law, and they already made some modifications to the text that was previously reviewed on 4 January. Viskovic said they already included the possible changes to the B&H Election Law, that refer to transparency by implementing modern digital systems, into this entity law. The goal is, Viskovic points out, to make the election process in the RS as transparent as possible.

RS opposition refuses to attend the RS ruling coalition meeting on RS election law (BNTV)

Representatives of the ruling political parties from RS met to discuss the RS election law in Banja Luka on Monday after the opposition political parties rejected the invitation to attend it. The opposition did not come to this meeting, saying they did not have materials on the proposed law delivered to them. “We do not trust Milorad Dodik and his satellites regarding any topic, because so far they have made pointless any kind of a serious topic that is in line with RS’ interests”, emphasized SDS leader Milan Milicevic. Milicevic believes that the story with the entity election law will be the same. He noted that one cannot speak about the election law or transparency with someone that is known for election corruption, and that has been the case for decades. Milicevic concluded by saying the RSNA is the place where all possible changes or adoption of the entity election law should be discussed, and there, SDS will give its opinion about the proposed solutions. Similar stances are those of leaders of PDP and List ‘For Justice and Order’, Branislav Borenovic and Nebojsa Vukanovic respectively. They say it is obvious here that there is no clear intention for having fair and transparent elections in B&H, which would restore citizens’ trust in the election process and also show the true election will of the voters. Borenovic told reporters that all these things can easily be resolved if only SNSD chose to support the changes of the B&H Election Law, technical changes that are currently in the B&H House of Peoples (B&H HoP). Vukanovic assessed that elections in B&H have long lost their purpose, and technical changes are necessary for elections to be taken seriously and for results to truly depict the opinions of voters. Vukanovic said the RS regime wants technical changes that would introduce scanners and systems that they could then control and make results of elections as they want them.

Perovic: By congratulating RS Day, Mandic violated all the rules of good neighborly relations (Television E/CdM)

It is not unexpected for the former Montenegrin diplomat Zeljko Perovic that the President of the Assembly Andrija Mandic congratulated Milorad Dodik on the unconstitutional holiday RS Day. In an interview with Television E, he said that by congratulating RS on the Day of RS, Mandic violated all the rules of good-neighborly relations, especially towards B&H, which is traditionally friendly towards Montenegro. The most dangerous thing for Montenegro, adds Perovic, is to be attached to one country. That binding should be exclusive to the EU. As he says, Montenegro does not have the exclusive right to have bad or moderately bad relations with any international actor, but the priority of all priorities remains the EU.

TV E: President of the parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandic congratulated Milorad Dodik on the Day of the RS, which was declared unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of B&H. Is that expected for you?

Perovic: Absolutely expected. Andrija Mandic has not done anything new compared to what he has been doing for the last 30 years or more, he or his predecessors from the party he represents. So, not that it is an insult, but it is absolutely the biggest insult that can be. However, for the last few years we have witnessed various insults, primarily to neighboring countries. Remember, just one of the last events of the previous government, when Abazovic changed the previously given and signed support given to Italy for the EXPO candidacy and gave support to Saudi Arabia. It’s scandalous. Andrija Mandic, by the very fact that he congratulated the Day of the RS, violated all the rules of good neighborly relations. Especially towards B&H, which is traditionally friendly towards Montenegro. He continues what he has been doing, now completely stripped and completely exposed. I would add that he takes over the powers of both the Government and the President of the State.

TV E: And how will this affect our relations, the official relations of the two countries?

Perovic: As you know, besides Montenegro, the most difficult situation in the region is in B&H and Kosovo. In B&H, we have a man who is completely exposed in the destruction of that state, that is the president of RS, who daily contributes to the rapid collapse of B&H. Of course, the headquarters in B&H will be offended. I expect the reaction of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who in several recent appearances showed that he has hope that the foreign policy of Montenegro will change.

TV E: But she is not there yet.

Perovic: There isn’t, of course, and we have to know that internal politics always determines foreign policy. For now, it’s been the second or third day, there’s not a single reaction.

TV E: What does that tell us?

Perovic: It is discouraging, absolutely discouraging. I think that a very sad day is coming for Montenegro in the coming period. As you know, two major wars are currently raging, in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Two wars that in terms of victims and atrocities exceed anything seen so far, and which have the most direct impact on events in the region, and in Montenegro itself.

TV E: How, in your opinion, will it affect us?

Perovic: How will it affect? Of course, negative. How can it affect? Montenegro will slowly begin to isolate itself, to tie itself to the regime in Belgrade. And exactly what was the beginning of the road to the recovery of Montenegro for many years, not only in the last three years, was a change in politics. Change of policy and absolute binding to the European Union. The president of the country repeated this quite clearly in his New Year’s interview. However, we have to see on the part what is happening. How will it be?

TV E: Diplomatic relations are a really complex business that you understand very well. We commented on the fact that there is no reaction from the Government yet. However, how does this look to the international community? You mentioned EXPO, we saw that Mandic was in the SNS election headquarters with Aleksandar Vucic. Now he officially congratulated the unconstitutional day of one of the entities of B&H from the position of the President of the Assembly. What does it look like from the side?

Perovic: It works the way we hear voices from Berlin to Zagreb, from Ljubljana to Skopje and Paris. Disheartening. Montenegro, which was on the verge of joining the European Union. During the previous government, Montenegro irreversibly moved away from that. At the moment it seems like that. So, everyone is worried about what is happening with Montenegro. Every day support arrives from various parts of the world, but also a big question mark about what will happen to Montenegro. I say, the diplomatic service is tied, especially the diplomatic service within this ruling coalition, where the parties present only their interests, which, unfortunately, have been visible lately, and are against the interests of Montenegro.

TV E: And these actions and reactions that we are seeing at the moment, can they indicate a potential silent change in the course of Montenegrin politics towards certain countries?

Perovic: The most dangerous thing for Montenegro is being tied to one country, except for the European Union. I am saying that both President Milatovic and this Minister Ivanovic have repeated several times that the EU comes first. Montenegro does not have the exclusive right to have bad or moderately bad relations with any international actor. I also think that Montenegro should try to improve relations with Russia as well. But the priority of all priorities remains the EU. The EU, above all Berlin and Paris, closely monitor every step. You mentioned the elections in Belgrade. You saw very clear messages, never clearer that the elections were stolen, but nothing happened to anyone. You saw the events in Banjska two months ago when there was an attempted state terrorism. The Serbian army was around the border. Nothing, Kurti attacks. Very strange. So, Montenegro is in an unenviable position.

TV E: Does the fact that we do not have ambassadors in more than 75 percent of embassies, or heads of missions in the UN, New York, NATO, and Brussels contribute to this unenviable position and international reputation? What does that data tell us? Does it show the complexity of Montenegrin relations in the political sense or lack of interest in our image on the international stage?

Perovic: Of course, this has been talked about for a long time. It is unheard of that for many years we have had no more than 40 representative embassies and missions, we only have a dozen ambassadors. My colleagues and I have mentioned several times, especially my colleague former minister Vlahovic, that it is inconceivable that Montenegro does not have ambassadors at this moment, when it needs to improve its image in the world. I recently mentioned in a text that for all that we have talked about so far and about the European path of Montenegro, the first test will be the appointment of the ambassador. NATO ambassadors are determined by consensus of the main coalition partners. It has long been the practice of so-called diplomatic consultation when making a decision. The minister is the one who coordinates, but without the head of state, without the head of the government, this is not possible. Now, what will happen if, for example, you send an ambassador to Belgrade who does not stand up for the Montenegrin national anthem or hold the flag of another country? I ask that question openly. Let’s hope it won’t be like that.

TV E: The appointment process will take time. Do you believe that it will be easy regarding the appointment of ambassadors?

Perovic: According to the law on foreign affairs, and Minister Ivanovic has repeated several times that he will stick to the law, 70 percent of diplomats should be professional diplomats, and 30 percent political and other appointments. We haven’t seen that yet and I don’t know how it will happen next. The interference of politics is absolutely visible in every pore of Montenegrin society.

TV E: Should exactly that, that task of appointing ambassadors be a priority of this government?

Perovic: Prime Minister Spajic, who, as far as I can see so far, in this short period, mainly deals with economic issues. And politics is led by the President of the Assembly, unprovoked, and occasionally President Milatovic steps in with some interventions. So, you have to know, one of the rare important authorities of the president of the state according to the Montenegrin constitution is the consent for ambassadors. So, the government can propose to him whoever it wants, he can refuse. So, now we have to see between the coalition partners, who will come. It takes at least three months. You know, when an ambassador is appointed, he needs at least two months for preparations.

TV E: Will the names that we should receive actually show where this government wants to lead Montenegro?

Perovic: That will certainly be one of the indicators. It is interesting, we have a lot of negativities on the internal level, but really when it comes to ambassadorial appointments, it will be a very clear indicator of where Montenegro is going.

Knezevic and Asanovic near Dodik at the celebration of the Unconstitutional Day of the RS (CdM)

DNP leader Milan Knezevic and president of Zeta municipality Mihailo Asanovic at the reception on 9 January, the unconstitutional Day of the RS, organized by the president of the RS Milorad Dodik in Banja Luka. This information was published on Knezevic’s Instagram account. Earlier, it was announced that this ceremony was attended by a delegation of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD), led by deputy and member of the NSD Presidency Jovan Vucurovic and party official Budimir Aleksic. The President of the parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandic, announced two days ago that he had received an invitation to attend that ceremony, but that he had refused because that day was celebrating glory. Nevertheless, he sent congratulations to Dodik on the occasion of the unconstitutional day of the RS. Jakov Milatovic, the President of Montenegro, refused Dodik’s invitation to appear at the commemoration of 9 January in Banja Luka.

Delegation of the New Serbian Democracy at the RS Day celebration (RTCG)

A delegation of the New Serbian Democracy (NSD) attends the ceremony marking the Day of the RS in Banja Luka. As Portal RTCG learns, the delegation is led by deputy and member of the NSD Presidency Jovan Vucurovic and party official Budimir Aleksic. Let us remind you that the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, said that he will not go to Banja Luka on 9 January to celebrate the Day of the Republic of Srpska, because that day is his glory, Television News reported earlier. RS President Milorad Dodik, Serbian member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic, President of the parliament Nenad Stevandic, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porfirije and Bishop Jefrem of Banja Luka attended the celebration of RS Day in the Sports Hall “Borik”. The leader of Free Montenegro Vladislav Dajkovic, director Emir Kusturica, Banja Luka Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic, head of Serbian diplomacy Nikola Selakovic and Minister of Defense in the government of Serbia Milos Vucevic are also at the ceremony.

Skopje’s successful OSCE Chairmanship put the city on the world diplomacy radar (Republika)

Macedonia’s leadership of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2023 was a cornerstone of its foreign policy, with the highlight being the OSCE Ministerial Council held in Skopje on 30 November and 1 December. This summit was pivotal in resolving the organization’s crisis, crucial for its continuity, and placed Skopje prominently on the global diplomatic stage. Over the summit’s duration, more than 70 diplomats and high-ranking officials from OSCE participating and partner countries convened in the capital. Among them were notable figures like Antony Blinken of the USA and Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, although their meeting didn’t materialize. Nonetheless, their presence underscored the significance of the Ministerial Council. Amid several unsuccessful attempts to support Estonia’s bid for chairing OSCE in 2024 due to resistance from Russia and Belarus, Macedonia’s mediation facilitated consensus on a new candidate: Malta. This agreement on Malta assuming the 2024 OSCE Chairpersonship, alongside extensions of office terms for key officials, proved pivotal for the organization’s future endeavours. During the concluding press conference of the OSCE Ministerial Council, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani, serving as the 2023 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, emphasized that the organization had been rescued and would continue its operational role. Osmani highlighted the challenges faced during Macedonia’s tenure, particularly amid active warfare and severe threats to European security and the global rules-based order, notably referencing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He emphasized how this conflict disrupted trust, dialogue, and the organization’s capacity to function, impacting civilians’ lives and their fundamental right to live without fear of war. The Foreign Minister lamented the replacement of dialogue and cooperation within OSCE with divisions and polarization, noting how consensus had been manipulated to serve national interests rather than collective ones. Despite these complex dynamics, Osmani asserted Macedonia’s steadfast commitment to upholding OSCE values and obligations. He credited Macedonia’s resolve, supported by a majority of participating states, for steering the organization through these challenges, preserving its relevance and utility. Osmani stressed the importance of multilateralism in preventing conflicts and resolving disputes, highlighting OSCE’s role as a platform for dialogue. Speaking of the impact of Russian military aggression, Osmani expressed how it not only devastated Ukraine but also posed a threat to OSCE as a forum for conflict resolution. He reiterated that despite these harsh realities, multilateralism remained crucial in overcoming differences and maintaining peace. Osmani thanked participating states for their consensus in appointing Malta as the 2024 chair and emphasized OSCE’s programs, field missions, and mechanisms as crucial elements fostering confidence and stability in the region.

Balluku: We expand the Tirana-Durres axis, we continue the railway network. A NATO naval base in Porto-Romano (Radio Tirana)

Albanian Minister of Infrastructure and Energy and at the same time the Deputy Prime Minister, Belinda Balluku has announced that the Tirana-Durres highway will be expanded and will have three lanes along with the emergency lane. Balluku pointed out that there will be no massive expropriations from this expansion, emphasizing that in the next 5 years, this entire network will be integrated with each other, considering the construction of Kashar-Lekaj axis, due to start this year. “There will be a full [added] lane on each side as well as the emergency lane, there will be no massive expropriations, but it is predicted that there will be an expansion, it will return with three full lanes,” said Balluku, regarding the expansion of the Tirana-Durres highway. Tirana-Durres [highway] is much more important. In the next 5 years, this entire network will be integrated with each other, as the construction of Kashar-Lekaj will also start this year. We are in the final stage with the coordinators. The Tirana Bypass will be the regulator and connector for many roads. All the projections of the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Infrastructure have changed a lot, and they change every year and not just for 5 years or decades,” added Balluku. The deputy prime minister also explained that the railway network is added to these infrastructure developments, where the construction of the Durres-Rrogozhina axis will continue too. “An important component of transport will be joined by the railway network. We have just received the good news about the continuation of the [railway] axis from Durres to Rrogozhina. All these create an important package for the railway transport. The moment has come to have diversification, providing ourselves the possibility of a modern transport. An important project is also the one that will connect Durres with Pristina, a very important railway project that is supported by the governments and will connect Albanians. With the completion of the feasibility study, we will be ready to open the bid to start this long-awaited big dream,” said Balluku. The minister also added that the new Port of Durres will be a new node in the Mediterranean. She said that this port “is one of the most important projects and will put Albania on another level. It will also be a military node as we have proposed to NATO and received the same support to have a naval base in the area of ​​Porto Romano”.

Peleshi: Albania’s unwavering dedication to peace and stability in the region and the world (Radio Tirana)

Albania, as a member of the most powerful military alliance in the world, has demonstrated genuine dedication to fostering peace and stability both within the region and globally, stated Defense Minister Niko Peleshi. “The support and solidarity of our allies have been secured, rendering Albania a dependable partner ready to confront security challenges,” announced the minister in a social media post. He emphasized that “this achievement for our nation stands as evidence of the dedication and readiness of every individual employee who persists in their efforts to elevate Albania’s name and flag”.