LOCAL PRESS

Amendments of Serbia, Hungary and Italy rejected: Belgrade files complaint (Tanjug/RTV)

Head of the Serbian delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Biljana Pantic Pilja stated that the Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy of the PSSE voted against all amendments proposed by the Serbian delegation. They also voted against the amendments proposed by members of the Italian delegation and a member of the Hungarian delegation and announced that they would file a complaint. In her statement for Tanjug, Pilja added that the amendments were rejected by a large majority and therefore will not be considered at the PS CoE plenary session, unless an objection is filed. Yesterday, the Serbian delegation in PS CoE submitted 10 amendments to the text of the recommendation for the acceptance of the so-called Kosovo to the Council of Europe, and among other things, they are asking for the postponement of the decision on Pristina’s request for membership, as well as for the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, as a pre-accession condition. Members of the Italian delegation and one member of the Hungarian delegation submitted an amendment to the text of the recommendation for the admission of the so-called of Kosovo to the Council of Europe (CoE), which requires the membership of the so-called Kosovo to be conditioned by the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities.

Serbian delegation voted against draft opinion on membership of so-called Kosovo in Council of Europe (Tanjug/Politika)

Delegation of Serbian Assembly in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe announced that Serbian delegation in the Committee for Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Committee for Equality and Non-Discrimination voted against the draft opinion. “Delegation of the National Assembly to PSSE said that the members of our delegation in the Committee, Aleksandar Mirkovic, Dubravka Filipovski and the member of the Committee from Cyprus, Konstantinos Efstatiou, voted against,” according to a statement from the Serbian parliament. The head of the Serbian delegation in the PSSE, Biljana Pantic Pilja, confirmed for Tanjug that, in addition to Mirkovic, Filipovski and Efstatiou who voted against, 23 members of the Committee for Legal Affairs voted for, while one abstained.

At the same time, for the draft opinion on the membership of the so-called 30 members of the Committee for Equality and Non-Discrimination voted for Kosovo in the Council of Europe, four abstained, and two members of the Serbian delegation, Elvira Kovac and Jelena Milosevic, voted against. The PSSE announced earlier on the X social network that the Committee for Legal Affairs and Human Rights “unanimously supported the favorable report of the Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy and proposed several amendments to resolve key issues in Kosovo”. That announcement has since been deleted and a new one was published stating that the Board supported the report, but omitted the wording unanimously.

“The board supported the favorable report of the Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy and proposed several amendments in order to solve the key issues in Kosovo,” according to a new post on the X social network.

Vucic: It has been established that Serbia is in no way responsible for the genocide (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke in Mostar about the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica. “I had talks with the EU envoy. We had talks together about all issues. There are no easy and nice talks, the situation is complicated and complex. We are trying to preserve the peace, not to use every opportunity to speak ill of each other. Serbs neither attacked anybody, nor accused of anything,” said Vucic. “We don’t want to live with a people who try to put such a label on the Serbian people. Genocide did not happen. They are trying to create a myth about Srebrenica. No one mentions the 3,500 Serbs who were killed,” Dodik added, referring to the Resolution on Srebrenica. “I will always support the RS in everything. You violate the procedures within one country regarding the most difficult issues and no one reacts to that, on the contrary, everyone looks at it as if it is something normal. Dodik knows best what will happen to Republika Srpska. It has been established that Serbia is in no way responsible for genocide,” said Vucic. “For genocide to have happened, there must have been an intention to destroy one group. That did not happen in Srebrenica. Everyone suffered equally. What do you want, for us to remain silent?” asked Dodik. “Instead of talking about how many passengers we had on the plane, about businessmen and cooperation, we were sent 30 years in the past, and that was brought back by those who told us not to look at the past. They told us why are you going back 25 years into the past when we talked about NATO aggression. The past is good when it suits them,” said Vucic. “No one notices that for 10 months Serbian goods do not enter Kosovo. No one alive is interested in that and they are still given membership in the Council of Europe. They have an explanation that they will form the ZSO one day, but of course they will never do that. I understand all the frustrations. What is important for us is to find a rational way out so that we don’t get out of that topic for the next 10 years. I understand what Bosniaks want, but I don’t understand what the Germans, Americans, etc. want. The day after tomorrow, we will pay a million Marks for Bileca,” said Vucic.

Talk with Lajcak

“We had a tough conversation. On Thursday, there are discussions about Dinars. Everything is getting complicated and accelerating and everything is going in a direction that you are no longer sure how to control it all,” said Vucic.

Brnabic: Imposing of Srebrenica Resolution is peak of legal violence (TV Happy)

Speaking for TV Happy, speaker of the Serbian parliament Ana Brnabic said that imposing of the Srebrenica Resolution on the agenda of UN General Assembly, is peak of legal violence, scandal and a precedent. Brnabic said that this represents violation of the Dayton Agreement and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Constitution, because this issue was not discussed by tripartite B&H Presidency, “which is an unseen scandal” and then Head of B&H Mission to UN Zlatko Lagumdzija did not want to submit the letter of one of the members of B&H Presidency- Zeljka Cvijanovic. “This is a case of incomprehensible legal violence. Firstly, this is within B&H, for which they supposedly fight, because they do not fight for B&H, being that with this they annulled the Dayton Agreement and the B&H Constitution,” said Brnabic. She noted that the second precedent is the fact that this Resolution is not discussed by UN Security Council, even though B&H is treated as a country which still presents threat to peace and stability, which is why it is exclusively UN SC that deals with it and because of which the Office of the High Representative exists in B&H. “Because this Resolution was not passed in 2015, they are now practically dragging that from the UN SC and push it directly into the UN GA, making such a precedent that will not long-term, but mid-term, I believe in five to ten years, completely divide the UN GA,” said Brnabic. She noted that this will be followed by series of resolutions and outvoting: “In the end, until now the principle was that such resolutions, which deal with such serious matters, such is the crime of genocide, are always adopted by consensus and this will be the first time that this is not the case.” She underlined that Germany and Rwanda are sponsoring the Resolution and they are now lobbying to extend the number of sponsors. She stressed that Serbia is daily exposed to unseen pressures, including the presence of Kosovo in Council of Europe, which she considers to be contrary to every principle and common sense.

Dacic: PACE expected to adopt recommendation to admit Kosovo (TV B92)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has said in Belgrade that, while some countries believe it is premature to admit Kosovo into the Council of Europe before the Community of Serb Municipalities is formed, it was doubtful this attitude would prevail. Dacic told TV B92 that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) was expected to adopt on 16 April the Opinion outline recommending Kosovo be admitted into the CoE, after which the document could be included in the agenda of the CoE Committee of Ministers’ session on 16 May. “Might is trying to make over international order to suit its will, regardless of how moral it may be. Anything is possible. The truth no longer matters, interests do,” Dacic said, adding that Serbia was dealing with “bad actors in the international arena”. Dacic said the outline Opinion on Kosovo’s bid to join CoE “is at the moment not on the agenda” of the May session of the Committee of Ministers, but that someone should be expected to move that it be discussed if it is adopted by PACE. On the topic of a resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, to be considered by the UN General Assembly on 2 May, Dacic said the document was being sponsored by “the greatest genocidal countries” and that Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium had committed genocide against millions in Africa. Dacic said those who committed “the crime in Srebrenica” should be held accountable, but that it was unacceptable for Serbia “that Muslims are depicted as the only victims of the war”.

Vucic, Lajcak discuss developments in Kosovo and Metohija, position of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday he had had another open and concrete discussion with the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak about growing challenges that were ahead, the position of the Serbs, developments in Kosovo and Metohija and the shrinking space for resolving outstanding issues through constructive dialogue and respect of international law. Vucic, who is on a working visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, met with Lajcak in Mostar. Vucic reiterated Serbia persistently continued to conduct a responsible and serious policy of maintaining peace and stability, but noted that there was no retreat or compromise for Serbia when it comes to the security of Serbs and protection of national interests. “As a long-time partner of ours, Lajcak knows that, always and everywhere, Serbia will fight for its people, its country and the truth. We have no other fatherland, nor can we take another path,” Vucic wrote in an Instagram post.

Spain confirms it will vote against membership in CoE of so-called of Kosovo; Hungary will also vote against membership of so-called Kosovo in the CoE (Tanjug/RTV)

The Spanish Foreign Ministry has confirmed that this country will maintain its position towards Pristina regarding membership in the Council of Europe (CoE), that is, it will vote against. “Regarding the Committee of Ministers, where Spain’s position has been presented, what we can say is that Spain stands by its position on Kosovo,” the Spanish Ministry said. It is also stated that Spain sees no other way to resolve disputes between Pristina and Belgrade, except through dialogue, which is why Madrid supports the dialogue mediated by the high representative of the EU. Hungary will also vote against the membership of so-called Kosovo in the CoE, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed earlier, and the same was announced by representatives of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and representatives of the People’s Party (PP). Members will today take a stance on the request of so-called Kosovo at the plenary session of PACE, based on a report that will be presented by PACE rapporteur for allowing so-called Kosovo join that organization Dora Bakoyannis. The final decision is to be made by the Committee of Ministers during the session that will be held from 16 to 17 May in Strasbourg.

Excellent cooperation between Serbia, ODIHR (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met today with Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Matteo Mecacci, who is on a two-day official visit to Serbia. During the talks, excellent cooperation between Serbia and ODIHR was noted, which provides effective help and support in improving the electoral process, strengthening democratic institutions and implementing reforms in areas that are a priority for Serbia. Dacic expressed his gratitude for the participation of ODIHR observers in the extraordinary parliamentary elections in Serbia held on 17 December 2023, assessing that their presence and expert support played a key role in fostering an atmosphere of trust and credibility of the election process. He expressed his expectation that this will also be the case with the upcoming Belgrade elections. Mecacci highlighted the close and excellent cooperation with the competent institutions in Serbia, which was intensified after the end of the election process. He pointed out that ODIHR appreciates the openness of the Serbian side for cooperation and the readiness to implement the recommendations from the final report in the best way.

EU Ambassadors adopted updated text for Chapter 35 with Serbia (Tanjug)

The Ambassadors of the EU member states adopted the updated text of the common position for Chapter 35, which implies that Serbia will fully implement its obligations arising from the Agreement on the road to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, in accordance with the Annex on its implementation, agreed on 18 March last year. In the updated text, which becomes an integral part of the negotiations within the negotiation chapter, and which was adopted at the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the EU Member States (COREPER), i.e. at the level of Ambassadors of the EU member states, it is stated that all discussions regarding the implementation agreement will take place within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which is conducted with EU mediation. According to Tanjug, the text for negotiation Chapter 35 was adopted without discussion at COREPER, and will be confirmed at one of the following councils, most likely on Monday at the EU Council for Foreign Affairs, after which it will be officially sent to Belgrade as the text of the EU negotiating position for Chapter 35. In February, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) submitted a proposal by which the obligations from the Ohrid Agreement would become an integral part of the process of negotiations on Serbia’s membership in the EU, Tanjug was told at the time. With that EC and EEAS proposal, the obligations from the Agreement on the road to the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as the annex to its implementation agreed in Ohrid, would formally become an integral part of the negotiation process on Serbia’s membership in the EU.

Belgrade’s obligations

According to the proposal, Belgrade is expected to fully implement the Agreement on the path to the normalization of relations with Pristina, including the Annex on its implementation, and in Chapter 35, point 3, entitled “Further agreements and progress in the normalization of relations”, becomes point 4. EU Council of Ministers asked the European Commission in December last year to include those obligations in the negotiation framework of Belgrade and Brussels. “The Council asks the Commission and the High Representative to urgently propose to the Council, before the end of January 2024, changes and additions to the criteria for Chapter 35 of Serbia’s accession negotiations,” the statement said.

Odalovic: CoE with Kosovo’s admission would end a dishonorable mission (RTS)

The President of the Commission for Missing Persons Veljko Odalovic told RTS that the Council of Europe, with admission of so-called Kosovo, complete a dishonorable mission. He points out that the amendment we submitted is aimed at stopping what he says is a dirty process. It is easy for us to fight when international law was applied, but we are witnessing that international law has been replaced by force, says Odalovic. Odalovic says that all these events in the Council of Europe were obviously orchestrated at the last moment, and all in the function of serious pressure on Serbia. “Those who are advocating Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe today are the same ones who planned to create this quasi-state. They want to round off something that is a dishonorable mission in that part of the Western world, and the whole scenario from the beginning of the breakup of Yugoslavia was planned to start through Kosovo,” says Odalovic. He points out that this is an attempt for the self-proclaimed country to become a member of the Council of Europe. “There is a preliminary question here – can they even be there? If international law were respected, if the rules of that Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe were respected, they could not be. The fact that some have recognized them is, conditionally, a bilateral matter for them personally, but imposing this model on everyone is very dangerous,” says Odalovic. He states that this amendment serves the function of calling the international community to return to international law, to return to its obligations. “The Council of Europe would thus complete a dishonorable mission, a dirty mission that they carried out in this convocation of the European Parliament. It is obvious that this may be one of the last sessions before the new elections, and they would like to complete what they have done so far. But, if we go back and remember what is all their obligation from the signed Brussels agreement, which simply does not exist and today nobody mentions the year 2013 and the Brussels agreement and the obligations that were guaranteed by the signature of the very representatives of this institution into which they want to introduce the self-declared state, and over everything that happened in the region of Kosovo and Metohija in the last two years, primarily in the north,” Odalovic points out.

Brnabic refuses to suspend election proceedings, calls for continued talks (Beta)

Ana Brnabic, the speaker of the Serbian parliament, has refused a proposal from the opposition to halt election filing and registration proceedings, saying that this would go against the Constitution, and invited parliamentary groups to continue talks on election conditions and other proposals. According to a letter which Beta has reviewed, Brnabic said the election proceedings had been initiated, that the first ticket had been certified, candidacy forms had been released and halting the election filing and registration procedure would entail violating the Constitution, making the proposal an untenable one. She invited MPs to a meeting on 17 April, stating that one of the topics would be forming a commission to monitor the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, made up of the representatives of parties and the non-governmental organizations CRTA (Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability), CeSID (Center for Free and Democratic Elections) and Transparency Serbia. This working body would be tasked with drafting legislation to meet ODIHR recommendations, while Brnabic also mentioned proposing amendments to residence legislation. Regarding the date of the elections, Brnabic said she was open to discussion and proposed that other local elections be held between 29 September and 13 October 2024.

Serbian Foreign Ministry sends note of protest to Croatian Embassy (Politika)

The Serbian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Belgrade regarding the ban on entry to Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the diaspora Djordje Milicevic into the Jasenovac Memorial Site. “On this occasion, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns in the harshest terms the ban on entry to Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the diaspora Djordje Milicevic into the Jasenovac Memorial Site.

With this act, the Republic of Croatia, a member of the EU, denied freedom of movement, which is one of the basic rights on which the European community rests. Such a move is particularly unacceptable because it denies the right of the Republic of Serbia to pay homage to the victims of the terrible Ustasha crimes, among which the most numerous were Serbian victims. At the same time, this inadequate treatment of a minister in the government of the Republic of Serbia carries an extremely negative message and does not contribute to the further development of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Croatia.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia emphasizes on this occasion that the Republic of Serbia remains committed to conducting a good-neighborly policy with the Republic of Croatia, based on the principles of mutual appreciation and respect for European and anti-fascist values, with the expectation that the Croatian state respects the aforementioned values,” the note of protest states.

Zagreb protests attack on Croatians in Serbia, Vucic condemns incident (N1/Beta)

Four Croatian nationals were attacked in the Serbian city of Pancevo over the weekend, following which the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs sent a protest note to Serbia, while Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the attack. The Pancevo police have detained four persons for causing national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance suspected of assaulting four Croatian citizens on 13 April in Pancevo. Two Serbian nationals and the four Croatian nationals were assaulted and insulted on racial grounds. The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs sent a protest note to Serbia in connection with the physical attack on four Croatian citizens and on two Serbian citizens who stood up for them on 13 April in Pancevo, said the Croatian Ministry. The Ministry strongly condemned this act and noted that, according to available information, it was obviously nationally and ethnically motivated. It added that it expects Serbian officials to urgently and publicly condemn the attack and requests “urgent delivery of all the relevant information related to the actions of the police and judicial bodies of the Republic of Serbia in this specific case and appropriate punishment of the perpetrators”. Vucic condemned the attack, adding that the relevant bodies will do all in their power to prosecute those responsible for this incident. “That is unacceptable and impermissible. This must not happen anywhere, neither here nor in the region,” said Vucic at the opening of Economy Fair in Mostar.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik: After UN Resolution on Srebrenica, there is no reason for RS to remain in B&H (ATV)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik said that in response to the UN Resolution on Srebrenica, the RS will initiate the process of independence. He added that the Bosnian Muslim elite scored a serious own goal with the UN Resolution, and that the genocide in Srebrenica is a fabrication that will tear Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) apart. Dodik said that RS is stable and safe and will not be threatened, and that it is determined to implement its protection measures. He added that after the UN resolution on Srebrenica, the RS will rapidly work on implementing measures aimed at its independence because there is no longer a single reason for it to remain in B&H. He pointed out that after that there is no coexistence, and that the RS will secede peacefully. Dodik said that he believes that a rusty nail has been driven into the box called B&H, and that Serbs have learned that there is no life without freedom, and that Serbs are currently fighting for freedom and future of the RS. “I am proud of the determination to implement measures when it comes to independence. Genocide in Srebrenica did not happen, and if it did, there would be no need to constantly raise this topic. The judgments of the courts refer to individuals, not to the people,” Dodik told reporters after a meeting of representatives of the political parties that make up the ruling coalition in the RS. Dodik called on citizens to attend rally ‘Srpska te zove’ (Srpska is calling you) that will be held on Thursday.

SDA: Dodik’s statements are most direct threats to Bosniaks since Karadzic’s threats (Hayat)

SDA issued a statement, which reads that reactions of the officials of Serbia and the RS to the announcement of the adoption of the UN Resolution on genocide in Srebrenica, are the best evidence that the current official Serb policy has not given up on the criminal goals of ‘Greater Serbia’ and the implementation of the policies defined in the SANU Serbian Academy of Science and Arts (SANU) memoranda. “These statements by Milorad Dodik are the most direct threats to Bosniaks since (first RS President and convicted war criminal) Radovan Karadzic‘s threats”, stated SDA. “These statements by Dodik are the most direct threats to Bosniaks since the time of Radovan’s threats because “Serbs cannot live with Bosniaks” and that Bosniaks should be reduced to 25 % of the territory, it can only be achieved by starting a new spiral of evil and violence, as Slobodan Milosevic, Radovan Karadzic, Ratko Mladic and others started at one time,” SDA added.

Ruling coalition in RS meets, calls for rally in Banja Luka as response to Srebrenica resolution (BHT1)

At its session scheduled for Thursday, the RS parliament will vote on a report on Srebrenica created by a commission led by Gideon Greif. Reporter commented that this report denies Srebrenica genocide, adding that same was done again on Monday by RS President Milorad Dodik. Besides this report, MPs in the RS parliament will vote on set of conclusions that are a reaction to an initiative on adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica in the UN. This was concluded after Monday’s meeting of leaders of parties that make a ruling coalition in the RS. Reporter noted that the RS election law, ban of acting of the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC), the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H in territory of the RS were mentioned in this context during the Monday meeting. Reporter noted that besides adoption of Greif’s commission’s report, the RS parliament will create a path for organization of local elections within the RS. Speaker of the RS parliament Nenad Stevandic stressed that other items of Thursday session of the RSNA are related to the election law of the RS, referendum, immunity and regulations related to publishing of acts in the RS. Also, the ruling coalition in the RS announced a big rally after Thursday’s session of the RS parliament. Leader of SP RS Petar Djokic called on citizens to recognize this moment as expression of people’s will to qualification that Serb people is genocidal. ‘Srpska te zove’ (Srpska is calling you) will not be a political gathering but a message from Serbs that they do not accept that others call them genocidal, and that the RSNA should adopt the electoral law proposal as a clear message against the imposition of High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt and that the elections are organized in the entities and the electoral laws are passed by the parliaments. ATV added that the RS parliament should adopt the report of the international independent commission on Srebrenica, which states when the crimes began and who committed the first mass crimes. Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic called for a rally in Banja Luka on Thursday. She wrote on social media: “Let us raise our tricolor flags high as a symbol of our freedom, pride and love for the RS!” she also published a photo at which late leader of SDA Alija Izetbegovic, former Commander of the 3rd Corps of the RB&H Army Sakib Mahmuljin and Islamic terrorists from the Al-Mujahideen unit celebrate murders and persecution of Serbs from Vozuca, by saying that nowadays, people like them are called fighters for democratic and multiethnic B&H, in Sarajevo.

RS opposition parties not going to attend the rally (BNTV)

People’s Front, led by Jelena Trivic, issued a statement announcing that this political party will not participate in the rally that RS President Milorad Dodik announced at the Krajina Square in Banja Luka on Thursday. However, People’s Front plans to support the adoption of international commission’s report on Srebrenica in the RS parliament. “People’s Front will not participate in the rally announced by the authorities of RS for Thursday. The rally on Thursday will only be a show of the authorities in which the topic of the aforementioned Resolution on Srebrenica in the UN is used as a cover for the real issue that the authorities want to impose, which is the Election Law of the RS”, stated this political party. The statement reads that the Presidency of People’s Front is unanimous in its decision not to participate in the aforementioned meeting, because here the Resolution on Srebrenica was misused as a cover for saving the regime.” Leader of the List for Justice and Order Nebojsa Vukanovic stated on Monday that the List for Justice and Order will not go to the rally that Dodik announced for Thursday. “Of course, we will not go to that event organized by Dodik in his honour”, noted Vukanovic. Vukanovic pointed out that his party will discuss the vote for the report of the independent international commission on Srebrenica only after the session of the RS parliament. He pointed out that he will not participate in any gathering where Dodik is present. It is increasingly certain that even SDS will not support the Srpska is calling you rally. SDS President Milan Milicevic did not answer ATV‘s calls, and party members did not want to make statements, ATV pointed out. MP Ognjen Bodiroga (SDS) did not want to make a statement for ATV, but he said that a meeting of the SDS presidency will be held on Tuesday, and that the final position will be known then, but that the meeting probably will not be supported. PDP President Branislav Borenovic did not comment on whether his party would participate in Srpska is calling you rally. PDP Vice-President Igor Crnadak commented on Stanivukovic‘s announcement that he would support the rally with the phrase “good for him”. ATV pointed out that the atmosphere in the PDP is quite confusing on this issue.

Srebrenica Assembly sends letter to UN, claim Resolution on Srebrenica will not contribute to inter-ethnic relations in B&H (Dnevni avaz)

The Srebrenica Assembly sent a letter to UN General Assembly in regard to announced adoption of Srebrenica Resolution. The letter reads that adoption of the Resolution is “a cheer decision” which does not contribute to inter-ethnic relations in B&H. “We are submitting you a proposal to direct Your Resolution toward equal approach to victims in the past war (1992-1995) in Srebrenica and with this in B&H,” reads the letter. The letter further stressed that Serb people is the biggest victim in Europe, especially in the 20th century, during which they brought freedom to many other peoples in the Balkans, “their victim was often a reason for total demonization”. “Ideas of freedom were the reason for discrimination by side of the forces who were stopped on the path to hegemony,” reads the letter, going on and reminding of the loses of Serb people during WWI and WWII, adding that they were victims of genocide in WWII. The letter noted that around 30,000 Serbs were killed during the 1992-1995 war, 3,500 only in Srebrenica region. “If add losses in Croatia and during NATO aggression, one comes to the number that Serbs in the 20th century suffered the horrifying loses that were not experienced by any other people in Europe,” reads the letter. The letter noted that since 1995 Srebrenica region is observed as the region where Muslim i.e. Bosniak victims are the most important, adding that this is not the path to build the state that should have equal approach to all victims. Noting that they, who live in Srebrenica best know what happened during the war in B&H: “Honorary gentlemen, this is not the way to clean your consciousness and erase history,” ends the letter.

Fitschen about Srebrenica Resolution: Resolution pays respect to victims of genocide (Oslobodjenje)

Oslobodjenje carries an interview with Germany Ambassador to B&H Thomas Fitschen who talks about the proposal of Resolution on Srebrenica that will be discussed by the UN General Assembly. Asked about Milorad Dodik’s reaction to have Germany and other countries sponsor the Resolution, Ambassador Fitschen noted that UN is a global forum of the world community, and this Resolution is not the first or the only one, which would establish the international Remembrance Day. He reminded that International Holocaust Remembrance Day was established in 2005 with explicit participation of Germany. In 2003 the Resolution was adopted to commemorate genocide in Rwanda and B&H voted in support of both Resolutions. “Together with Rwanda and supporters from the entire world, we are now advocating paying of respect within the Remembrance Day to victims of genocide, Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica,” said Ambassador Fitschen. He noted that just as was the case in Rwanda, independent international courts characterized events in Srebrenica as genocide and certain individuals were convicted based on this. “Therefore, this Resolution needs to demonstrate dignity toward international courts which worked on prosecuting of genocide and to use this experience reminding the states of their obligation to prevent and prosecute genocide,” said Fitschen. Asked why is Germany advocating this Resolution so strongly, the Ambassador said that Germany sees this as the lesson learnt from German history, noting that Germany as well as all signatories of Genocide Convention has obligation to prevent genocide, “and we take this duty very seriously”. Underlining that this comes from German historic responsibility and added: “This is why it was very important for us to participate in declaring of Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2005- because only knowledge about crimes form the past produces the strength for reconciliation and willingness to prevent their repetition. This is why we advocate that massacre in Srebrenica, which international courts qualified as genocide, is recognized as International Remembrance Day.” Asked about Dodik’s accusations that proponents of the Resolution have anti-Serb motives, Fitschen said that text of the Resolution proves otherwise. He noted that resolution pays respect to the victims, and it is directed against denial and glorification of genocide, not against individual states, peoples or groups. The Ambassador concluded that verdicts of international courts did not convict perpetrators because of their ethnic affiliation, but because their criminal liability was proven in the process based on the rule of the law.

Komsic and Cvijanovic meet with Lajcak, participants conclude that authorities in B&H need to intensify political dialogue (BHT1)

Members of B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic and Zeljka Cvijanovic met on Monday in Sarajevo with EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and for other regional issues of the Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak. Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H Johann Sattler also attended this meeting. It was stated following the meeting that authorities in B&H need to intensify political dialogue with goal to enable B&H to make further progress towards the EU membership. It was also emphasized that the EU remains a credible partner to B&H and that it is necessary for domestic authorities to continue dialogue to ensure progress on B&H’s EU path.

Covic: B&H needs functional parliamentary activity as well as that of B&H CoM; It is necessary not to close doors to EU (FTV)

HDZ B&H Presidency held a session in Mostar after which the party leader Dragan Covic addressed the media saying that he is optimistic concerning the certain things, but he deems that debate about the laws imposed by High Representative Christian Schmidt is senseless. Covic said that they discussed and adopted certain documents to define the party’s guidelines and they discussed the local elections and preparations for the election for European Parliament. Asked if he shares optimism regarding the developments, Covic said that he is most of all optimistic concerning the EU path of B&H: “When it comes to security and political processes, naturally that everyone will be concerned. We can observe this from a side and hence such a relation. Today, at the Presidency session we used our proactivity, and we will open processes in B&H, where the standstill occurs, in order to talk with all partners by the end of the week.” He noted that they will play a key role in the EU integration process, and this is what he told Head of EUD Johann Sattler: “We have no other choice, element of security has no other way. Everything else is downfall of civilization.” Covic stressed that he is interested in adoption of Election Law and Law on Courts in B&H in the Council of Ministers: “We will insist on adoption of the Election Law and Law on Courts in the CoM. It is senseless to discuss about the laws imposed by the High Representative, I have already said it. I would not deal with this anymore and give some other dimension, I believe there is enough of us to lead processes in the right direction.” Covic said that there is a lot of room to make changes in the HR’s imposed law, and that he believes that an agreement on several segments of the law can be reached. Covic also said that B&H needs functional parliamentary activity as well as that of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). “We received an open door from the EU that we are closing ourselves. How are we going to draw down that money, about one billion of a certain currency? Well, only a naive person would miss that,” added the HDZ B&H leader. The HDZ B&H leader was asked by media about his stance towards the genocide in Srebrenica, which he answered by saying that there is no dilemma when it comes to that issue. He added that he demonstrated his stance when he paid tribute to the victims in Srebrenica.

Komsic: Dodik’s focus is on state property; Plenkovic is more dangerous than Milanovic (Klix.ba)

Croat member of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic said that there is nothing which would be disputable to anyone in the Resolution on Srebrenica, and there is no a single allusion that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and RS President Milorad Dodik are mentioning in regards to it. He added: “There is nothing directed against Serbia nor the RS, and especially not against Serb people. Making of noise is a part of a political game, whose goal is to strengthen Vucic in Serbia before the elections in Belgrade, to portray Vucic as a main protector of Serbs on a whole planet. Dodik is playing his game, he is talking about a global conspiracy against Serb people, but this story is fruitless, and it is getting boring not only to us but to voters as well.” Komsic also said that in this phase, Dodik’s focus is on state property, adding that he is only interested in coming in possession of the state property. Komsic stressed that everything that Dodik is saying is related to the state property, including Srebrenica story, High Representative Christian Schmidt and threats with a law (presumably RS election law) and he would give up on all of this in return for the state property. Komsic believes that ‘The Troika’ has realized that the policy of giving and making concessions does not give results and that opening of the negotiations is not the result of these concessions, but of other things. As for the idea of some new ‘The Troika’, Komsic said that it would be a success to survive the term of the current one, let alone to make the new one. Speaking about Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, Komsic said that Plenkovic is more dangerous, since he is systematic and with strong infrastructure, support from Brussels.

Milanovic: Montenegro’s performances at NATO forums are pro-Western, I advise them to focus on themselves (Index.hr)

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic told Index.hr that Montenegro’s performances at NATO forums are pro-Western, “I have been following these people for some time, their appearances at NATO forums are pro-Western, even pro-American, I would advise them to focus a little more on themselves and their interests. These people want to be part of the West. That’s what Serbs in RS want to be one hundred percent. However, the savage, tactless bureaucratic attitude of representatives of the interdepartmental community who are all third echelon in Sarajevo… it is so harmful. All that should be removed from there in the interest of everyone, without any Schmidt there. He is some decommissioned German politician, he came here and makes laws and still speaks to me with contempt”, concluded Milanovic. When asked what kind of relationship he has with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, he replied that they rarely meet, but then they talk openly. “But I can’t talk about everything, it’s part of the state’s mission and mystery. I will ask him, why are you doing this? I will not talk to the Serbs, as the people closest to us in the Balkans, through intermediaries. They say that RS President Milorad Dodik is an exponent, ok. Let’s put it this way, could they have been treated differently? My thesis is that he was pushed towards Russia. He will be good again tomorrow with the Americans who brought him. Vucic exponent of Russian politics? On the anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin did not come to Belgrade. They have to move the ceremony a week earlier in order for Putin to find time. The Russians are being bullied for the Serbs. Boris Tadic, the whole set of people around him, what kind of Russia. I spent hours and hours with those people. You cannot change a country so radically that they suddenly become pro-Russian. There are some, but that is defiance, spite. We need to work with the Serbs, they are our neighbors,” concluded Milanovic.

Nikolic: Why is the minister hiding whether he received a protest note from B&H and why is he relativizing the announced support of Minister Gorcevic to Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe (CdM)

Andrija Nikolic, a member of the Democratic Party of Socialists, asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs Filip Ivanovic in the parliament whether he will vote for Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe. Ivanovic said that when the question of Kosovo’s membership comes up on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers, Montenegro will follow its foreign policy principles, and take its position after considering the outcome of the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote. “As the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, will you vote for Kosovo to become a member of that organization, and do you consider the vote of a member of the parliamentary majority at the PS of the Council of Europe against the admission of Kosovo to that organization an obvious violation of the signed coalition agreement about the formation of the government by which you all committed yourself “to respect the Euro-Atlantic course of the state and to develop friendly cooperation with all the states recognized by Montenegro”, Nikolic asked Ivanovic. He also asked that, bearing in mind the serious insults that the President of Serbia uttered against Montenegro and the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorcevic, why did he not invite the Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hand him a note of protest, if he knew that other countries, which they keep to themselves, for much more innocuous things call ambassadors for consultations and protest? “In relation to the declaration of the MP of the parliament of Montenegro Maja Vukicevic as the representative of Montenegro in the Committee for Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, allow me to refer at the beginning to the Constitution of Montenegro as the highest legal act, which in Article 85 para. 1 prescribes that the deputy decides and votes according to his own conviction. Therefore, one should take into account the fact that the executive power has no right to instruct or impose on the deputy the obligation to vote in accordance with the views of the representatives of the government, regardless of whether such a view is in agreement with the political aspirations and proclaimed goals of the government’s public policies, in this external case. Therefore, I would like you to communicate directly with your fellow MPs on these and similar issues that are the exclusive competence of MPs. This is, after all, the standard established in all states that base their organization on the principles of democracy and the division of power,” Ivanovic said. According to him, when it comes to respecting the coalition agreement, he wants me to emphasize Montenegro’s firm commitment to sticking to the European course, remaining a credible member of NATO, committed to good neighborly relations and strengthening its role on the multilateral level. “When it comes to your interest in the declaration at the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe about Kosovo’s application for membership in the oldest pan-European organization, I remind you that the consideration of this issue is planned for 16 April as part of the regular spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. On that occasion, the deputies of this statutory body of the Council of Europe (including three deputies from the parliament of Montenegro) will express their opinion on the Report on Kosovo’s application for membership in the Council of Europe, which was prepared by the rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly, Dora Bakoyannis, and which was supported by the Committee for Political issues and democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly on 27 March. After the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe declares itself on this issue at the plenum, it will inform the Committee of Ministers of its opinion. It is important to note that the Parliamentary Assembly is not time-limited in the preparation of opinions, and in practice, that process can last from several months to several years”, said Ivanovic. He added that since the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has yet to consider this issue, and after that deliver an opinion to the Committee of Ministers on the membership of Kosovo, i.e. on the fulfilment of the necessary criteria for membership, the statement on this issue at this moment can only be hypothetical. “In any case, when the question of Kosovo’s membership comes up on the agenda of the Committee of Ministers, Montenegro will, following its foreign policy principles, and considering the outcome of the Parliamentary Assembly’s vote, take its position. In connection with the question related to the recent reaction of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in relation to the statement of the Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorcevic, I would like to inform you that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains regular communication with all foreign DKPs accredited in Montenegro, during which they are considering all current issues from the relationship between the two countries, including those of a sensitive nature”, Ivanovic concluded.

Ivanovic: It is not true that Sarajevo officially sent a note of protest to Montenegro due to Dodik’s visit

Ivanovic said that it is not true that Sarajevo officially sent a note of protest to Montenegro, after the meeting of the president of RS Milorad Dodik with the president of the parliament of Montenegro Andrija Mandic. He announced this in response to a question from MP Nikolic, who asked him why the protest note sent by B&H to Montenegro was silenced. “There was no official announcement from the government or the Ministry of B&H on this matter, and there was none from our side either. Ask Sarajevo that question and let them answer you. It is not up to the state receiving a possible prosthetic note to tell you whether or not it has been sent. You only have media reports about it, not official confirmation. MP Nikolic could only find out about the protest note from B&H from the media, because there was no official address or announcement from the MFA of B&H”, said Ivanovic to MP Nikolic.

Nikolic announced that Ivanovic did not answer a single question

“I understand that you have chosen the approach of not answering questions. I have attended several events where you have spoken, and everything you have said I am ready to sign. Evolution is desirable in politics, and I welcome the evolution that you experienced because you once claimed that NATO was not good for Montenegro. What is not good is that due to the lack of synchronization and agreement even within government policies it leads to general confusion. The consequence of such behaviour is the drastic decline of the citizens of Montenegro in NATO”, stressed Nikolic. He also stated that Ivanovic did not answer whether Montenegro will vote for Kosovo’s admission to the SE, even though Minister Gorcevic announced that the government will vote for admission. “You don’t even answer the question of whether you asked Rodic about the insults. All countries call ambassadors for much smaller incidents, let alone for messages that come from the highest level, I have reasons to believe that you do this out of intimate discomfort because you do not identify with the foreign policy priorities of Montenegro. The alternative is that you are afraid of what the coalition partners will tell you”, believes Nikolic. When asked by Nikolic whether Montenegro will join the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, which should be voted on in the UN General Assembly, Ivanovic did not give a concrete answer. “We received a letter addressed to all UN member states from the President of B&H to inform us that it is not an official proposal of that state. Don’t worry about the international reputation of Montenegro, it will be protected much more compared to the previous period when we were harassed at various addresses”, Ivanovic said.

Spajic in Brussels: Montenegro can be a successful EU story (CdM)

New, encouraging messages are coming from Brussels, suggesting that Montenegro can be a successful EU story – it was a message from the meeting between the Prime Minister Milojko Spajic and Director-General of the EC Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman. At the meeting, the two discussed the status of realization of the remaining interim benchmarks concerning rule of law, which would be of paramount importance for IBAR that authorities in Montenegro expect to receive in June. “We are committed to finalizing all the processes and meeting all the remaining requirements with clearly defined deadlines for those interim benchmarks we find challenging,” PM Spajic posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Osmani: North Macedonia is co-sponsor of resolution of UN on Srebrenica genocide (MIA)

North Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani said that his country is a co-sponsor of the Resolution on Srebrenica genocide. Osmani said that the North Macedonia strongly supports the initiative to declare 11 July the international day of remembrance and commemoration for the victims of Srebrenica genocide in 1995 and to mark it each year. He announced presentation of the Resolution on 17 April before the UN General Assembly while the voting will he held on 2 May. Osmani called on Serbia to support the Resolution.

Dacic calls Osmani’s statement on Srebrenica genocide resolution ‘insolent’ (MIA)

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said FM Bujar Osmani‘s statement that North Macedonia would join other states in co-sponsoring a United Nations resolution declaring 11 July an international day of remembrance and commemoration of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide and urging Serbia to join too was “insolent” and asked him if he would like to join Serbia in submitting a resolution on the genocide of the Serbs in Jasenovac, MIA‘s Belgrade correspondent reports. “This is the cynicism that exists in these parts,” Dacic said. “Conducting an anti-Serb policy, and on top of that, inviting us to take part. Do we have to be on the Nazi side to be respected?” Earlier in Skopje, FM Osmani said North Macedonia would join the United States and Germany among others as a co-sponsor the United Nations resolution on the Srebrenica genocide, set to be presented at the UN General Assembly on 17 April before it is passed on 2 May.  Commenting on the resolution, Dacic said it was being proposed by “the biggest genocidal countries.” “Why is there no resolution for the German genocide against the Serbs or the Turkish genocide against the Armenians or against the Serbs in the Independent State of Croatia?” Dacic said, adding that “Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium committed genocide against millions of people in Africa.” Dacic said that those who committed the “Srebrenica crimes” should be held accountable, but Serbia found it “unacceptable that Muslims are the only victims of the war.”

Pendarovski: Mass turnout on 24 April, 8 May; we expect nothing less than two victories (MIA)

Us being here in such large numbers confirm this is not a VMRO-dominated municipality as some think but a municipality of citizens who want to see their country, Macedonia, become a part of developed and prosperous Europe as soon as possible, President Stevo Pendarovski said at a re-election rally in Gazi Baba on Monday evening. “There is no turning back. With this many of you, with this enthusiasm, with a mass turnout on 24 April and 8 May, we expect nothing less, nothing less, than two victories,” Pendarovski said. If re-elected, he said, he would carry out his presidential duties as before. “The Macedonian public has had the opportunity to see what the President of Macedonia was doing in the past five years. Was he like some who previously hid in Villa Vodno and we didn’t know if they even showed up to work? Or was he among his own people every day? “Thousands of people have come to my office, complained about their problems, asked for help in solving them. I was not closed off, I was not isolated,” Pendarovski said. He also highlighted the success of the Prespa Agreement with Greece for the country’s membership in NATO. “When we tried to do the same with the EU, unfortunately, we ran into a double blockade. The first blockade was by our eastern neighbor who tried to make us into what we have never been,” Pendarovski said.  “We all know,” he continued, “that we have been Macedonians for centuries, speaking the Macedonian language. “And a blockade on the inside, which I find worse because it comes from the main opposition political party.” He also commented on the opposition party’s statements that they would cancel and renegotiate all agreements. “What international factor is your friend, a strategic partner who can give you a guarantee, a wind at your back, that you will reach a better agreement for Macedonia? Dear friends, they do not have a single strategic partner that we have not already secured, that is not already on our side,” the President said. According to him, the only hope for young people was allying with the West. “None of these young people who move from Macedonia go to Russia, Belarus or China. They seek their fortune in America, Germany, Canada or New Zealand. All developed countries economically, and all of them great economies. The best universities are there, the best health systems are there, the most independent legal systems are there,” Pendarovski said.  “We want to be there so we can be like them, not to get their money but their knowledge, principles and values based on which we will organize our Macedonia to look like an average European, developed and prosperous country. That is why it is the only option,” he added.

Osmani in Debar: North Macedonia to join EU in five years; no government without vetting (MIA)

DUI-led European Front coalition’s presidential candidate Bujar Osmani at a Debar election rally on Monday evening pledged that, if elected President, North Macedonia would become a member of the EU in five years and that no government would be formed without vetting.

“My first promise is the country’s EU membership by 2030. If I rose to the challenge, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, to open negotiations with the EU after a 17-year wait, believe me that as President I can complete our EU membership process in the next five years,” Osmani said. “I will use all the potential of the European Front, all my knowledge, the knowledge of the processes I have led, my experience, my contacts around the world, to complete this process in the next five years,” he added. His second promise, Osmani said, was to maintain the partnership with the United States, because, as he said, there was no greater harm, no greater betrayal to your own people than worsening relations with the US. His third promise was vetting, stressing that without a full agreement on vetting, there would be no government. He said anyone with the ambitions of becoming minister, director, judge or prosecutor would will first have to get certificates issued by the USA, NATO, and the EU. “Only this way will our scene be cleared of Russian influence and corruption,” he said. His fourth promise, he said, was an economic framework agreement and his fifth was quality education. He highlighted that the European Front coalition was focused on European integration, adding that the elections put “our country, our destiny, our families, our children between two alternatives: either integration or isolation.” “That’s why I invite my opponent Gordana Davkova, as a representative of the isolation alternative, to debate with me. “I have been inviting her for a debate over the past three days. I publicly invite her to come to a debate with me, if she has any arguments to convince me that isolation is better than integration,” Osmani said, asking his opponent whether “forcing citizens to leave the country by getting Bulgarian passports is better than people having European passports?”

Siljanovska Davkova: We lack constitutional patriotism (MIA)

Identity is not tied to history or culture, but to principles and values, so it is European to remind the EU of its fundamental values and principles – let them behave accordingly so we can believe in our future in the EU, presidential candidate Gordana Siljanovska Davkova said at a Prilep election rally on Monday evening. “The EU is superior through respecting European values and principles. We lack something, and that is constitutional patriotism. This does not mean to swear by the Constitution, and it also does not mean we should keep changing it – but that we should defend the principles and values of the Constitution,” Siljanovska Davkova said. She said the EU integration process needed to bring European living standards onto Macedonian soil and “not just EU and NATO commitments, pro-Europeans, anti-Europeans”. “The President must, before any important decision for Macedonia, first come before Parliament, agree with the opposition, with all coalition partners; after having previously agreed with the government,” she said. A head of state, Siljanovska Davkova said, needed to have public offices where they could hear the problems of the citizens and their suggestions. The President, she said, had to have young people advising them and also an important obligation in building an independent judiciary through the Judicial Council. “The situation we are in is far from European, far from European standards. There is no rule of law, but a rule of a small group of people,” she said. Citing a Freedom House evaluation that said the country had “a cyclical hybrid regime going round and round,” VMRO-DPMNE’s presidential candidate said the judiciary was dependent, politicized and partisan and the Constitutional Court did not uphold the Constitution and laws. “We have weak institutions and too strong individuals,” she said. “Responsible people must come. If you ask me what I can do, I will tell you: What the President did not,” Siljanovska Davkova said. She also said she was ready for a presidential debate but “there are no candidates for a debate.” “They keep announcing it, but they never show up before responsible reporters,” Siljanovska Davkova said.

“Albania, Kosova’s advocate”, Begaj: Full of hope for a successful vote in the Council of Europe (Radio Tirana)

In a joint press conference with Kosovo’s counterpart Vjosa Osmani in Prishtina, Albanian President Bajram Begaj expressed optimism that on Tuesday there will be a successful vote in the Council of Europe and that Kosovo will become a member. Begaj emphasized that Albania is Kosovo’s advocate for new recognition and membership in international organizations. “Albania has a duty and will be Kosovo’s advocate for new recognition and membership in international organizations. I am very hopeful that tomorrow we will have a successful vote in the Council of Europe. This will give us more inspiration for better work in the future,” emphasized the Albanian President. While, Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani said that Kosovo is blessed to have Albania’s support in the entire process towards membership in the Council of Europe.