LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: There is a comprehensive campaign of falsehoods, a campaign of flexible interpretation of Pristina obligations; The result of the vote on the resolution on Srebrenica will not be humiliating for the Serbian people (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that on 16 May, a vote is expected in the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the issue of Pristina’s membership. Vucic also said that there is a comprehensive campaign of falsehoods, a campaign of flexible interpretation of Pristina obligations and at the same time the implementation of various conspiracy theories about the guilt of the Serbian leadership for the fact that Kosovo will not become a member of the Council of Europe with great certainty. He adds that Pristina’s chances for membership are still very significant, but that Belgrade is doing its best to prevent that and is proud of it. “Thus, we respect the European rules and everything we have agreed with the Europeans and the Americans,” said the President. He stated that after Dora Bakoyanni’s “strange visits to Athens”, there was no talk of forming the Community of Serb Municipalities as a condition for Pristina’s entry into the Council of Europe, nor of preventing further expropriation and the formation of so-called police and military stations in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Vucic also stated that Vjosa Osmani said that after joining the Council of Europe, “families who have been denied justice for 25 years” will have access to the European Court of Human Rights in order to sue Serbia and that is why it is imperative for them that the membership process be successful. “Membership in the Council of Europe makes sense only with indictments against Serbs. That’s why we are fighting to prevent that from happening. Whether we will succeed – hardly. But that fight is not easy for them either. For that, the 31st member is needed. They will, we believe, to have a majority between 29 and 33. The great powers are fighting against us, we will continue to fight,” emphasized Vucic and pointed out that he had many important talks about it even today.

On the resolution on Srebrenica

Vucic stated that the Serbian team received a draft resolution on Srebrenica. “In addition to the fact that the Serbian side’s ideas were not accepted, we also received a draft resolution on Srebrenica,” says Vucic. First, there is no agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) itself. I will ask our American partners, those in Europe do not know this, and I know the Americans do, because I have spoken with numerous American officials, because this is a brutal trampling of the Dayton Peace Agreement,” says Vucic. He also followed up on the case of genocide in Rwanda. “For the resolution on the genocide in Rwanda, the consent of the people in Rwanda was not enough, but the consent of that continent was needed. Then the African Union appeared with a unanimous decision. They conducted consultations within the country, broad regional consultations. And let’s hear what an example is here. We learned for the first time on 26 March from our German partners that they have been preparing this for 8 months. We are the first neighbor, someone whose members are 32 percent of B&H. My question for our American partners is: Why do you allow such a violation of the Dayton Agreement?” Vucic asked. “We never hid that we wanted to have the best possible relations with the Bosniaks, but not to fulfil someone’s political wishes. We will always live with each other and next to each other. However, there was no understanding for that. The Serbs would only be good if they bowed down head. It would not be enough to praise them as well, if we do not oppose them. I am the one who made the decision to go to New York. I spoke bilaterally with 6 UN officials, representatives of a total of 111 countries in the UN. I continued it today, every day,” he said. He expects that there will be a session of the UN Security Council on the resolution on Srebrenica on 9 May, and a vote in the General Assembly in the week between 11and 16 May. It was previously announced that the Council of Europe’s Council of Ministers will vote on 16 May on the admission of Pristina to that organization.

Brnabic speaks about Srebrenica Resolution, says authorities of Serbia have done their best to make sure truth is presented (Blic)

In an interview to the daily, Speaker of Serbian Parliament Ana Brnabic spoke about upcoming formation of the Serbian Government, local elections and elections for Belgrade, her first impressions at the job of the Speaker of the Parliament. Brnabic also spoke about pressures on Serbia in the context of admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe and initiative on adoption of Srebrenica Resolution. “What is being done in the Council of Europe and in the UN is a dangerous precedent. Such precedents, in institutions that are so important, not only represent a direct pressure and threat to our people and Serbia, but it undoubtedly and in the most direct way undermines the basic principles of the international law and I would even say that those defy common reason,” Brnabic said. As for Srebrenica Resolution, Brnabic said that the authorities of Serbia have done their best to make sure the truth is presented to the world and to make sure international law is respected: “To be honest, I do not expect the final outcome to be positive for Serbia or UN, but the world is already surprised with results of fight Serbia with (Serbian President) Aleksandar Vucic at the helm carried out. The Serbian President managed with his fight in New York to disturb matters to such extent that they had to postpone the adoption of the Resolution because they were not certain about the outcome.” Brnabic went on to say that Serbia showed it cannot be humiliated easily and everyone will think twice in future if they want to do something against Serbia. “The voting was postponed for now, we will continue our struggle and we will never give up, regardless of the outcome of this shameful Resolution,” Brnabic concluded.

Serbian Parliament Speaker Brnabic: Konakovic’s message to Vucic and Serbia is shameful (Nezavisne)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic reacted to the statement of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konakovic who said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbia deserve contempt because of their reactions to the announced UN resolution on Srebrenica. Brnabic said that Konakovic’s message is shameful, and it confirms what Vucic has been saying for days – that the resolution is aimed against Serbia and that the goal is to condemn Serbia and demand war reparations. “The goal is to renew that entire process; Serbia and the Serb people are on the pillar of shame here. This is something they want generations of Serb people to be followed by, and they are not doing this for the sake of reconciliation and victims of that horrible crime, but for the sake of war damage compensation”, said Brnabic.

Vucevic read the proposed composition of the Government of the Republic of Serbia (B92)

The session of the Presidency of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ended at the party’s headquarters in New Belgrade. At the end of the session, Milos Vucevic addressed the media.

“At the session, we decided on several topics, but the most important is certainly the issue of the candidate for the new Government. I am submitting a request to the President of the Assembly, Mrs. Brnabic, to schedule a session of the Assembly of Serbia for tomorrow, May 1, where I will present the work plan of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in the next mandate and composition of the Government and after that the planned dismemberment will begin,” he said.

Vucevic read the proposed composition of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Vucevic announced the composition proposal of the new Government. “As for the composition of the Government, tomorrow I will propose new ministers.” Among the ministers on the list of proposals of the new government were Sinisa Mali, Ivica Dacic, Aleksandar Vulin, Irena Vujovic, Aleksandar Martinovic, Goran Vesic, Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic, Maja Popovic, Jelena Zaric Kovacevic, Tomislav Zigmanov…

Bratislav Gasic was proposed as Minister of Defense, Zlatibor Loncar as Minister of Health, Nikola Selakovic as Minister of Culture, and Aleksandar Vulin also received a ministerial post. For the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric is proposed.

“I believe that this cabinet that I have just presented will be worthy of all the tasks ahead of us. Two dynamic days await us in the Serbian Parliament.” At the presidency, we decided that Maja Gojkovic would be the representative for the provincial government. She received a mandate to form the provincial government, the deadline is a bit longer, until May 9.”

He then thanked Ana Brnabic for everything she did while she was the Prime Minister of Serbia and for all the endeavours she had and the successes she achieved during her two mandates. Just to recall, the session was attended by Ana Brnabic, Milos Vucevic, Goran Vesic, Vladimir Orlic, Aleksandar Martinovic, Nikola Selakovic, Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, Maja Gojković and other party officials.

Vucevic: Serbia committed to EU membership (N1)

Defense Minister Milos Vucevic told German MP Patricia Lips that Serbia remains committed to membership in the European Union as a strategic commitment. A ministry press release quoted Vucevic as voicing disappointment over Pristina’s failure to implement the 2013 Brussels agreement and added that the situation in Kosovo was increasingly becoming a humanitarian issue. Lips (Christian Democratic Union – CDU) is quoted as saying that relations between Serbia and Germany are highly developed. The press release said that the European integration of the Western Balkans does not mean that every problem is going to be resolved but will contribute to regional security and development.

Stano: NO progress due to lack of will among politicians from Serbia, Kosovo (Beta)

The reason for the absence of progress in the implementation of last year’s Agreement on the Path to Normalization between Belgrade and Pristina does not lie with the European Union, but with the lack of will among the politicians of the two sides, EU spokesman Peter Stano said in Brussels on April 29. Asked at a news conference if the EU considered it its own failure that it was unable to convince the two sides to carry out what was agreed, Stano said “someone can only be helped if they were ready to accept help.” Stano said the EU did not coerce its partners, and that the partners had volunteered that they wanted to join the EU someday. This means that it is up to them to behave in a European manner, to move forward, Stano explained. Stano said that if one attempted to help one’s partners, but they did not want that assistance and kept pointing fingers, throwing up obstacles and acting unilaterally, without coordination or consultation, one could only do so much. Stano reiterated that last year’s agreement was legally binding to both sides even though it was not signed, because it was recently incorporated into the EU roadmap for Serbia and Kosovo.

Authorities, opposition unhappy with state TV reporting (N1)

Monday’s meeting between Serbian state TV (RTS and RTV) chiefs and MPs from the ruling coalition and opposition heard dissatisfaction from both sides of the political divide. MPs from the authorities and opposition voiced dissatisfaction claiming biased reporting and unequal representation. Serbian state TV (RTS) board member Predrag Azdejkovic said the opposition are savages. “Bujosevic (RTS CEO) is meeting with the opposition at 2 pm and an RTS board meeting is at 4 if the opposition sends him back in one piece. You know that they are savages,” he wrote in an X post.

The meeting behind closed doors was organized at the request of the opposition. Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic saying that the fact that they meet behind closed doors was not an attempt to hide anything from the public. “We’re not hiding anything from the public. We have productive meetings, talking and reaching agreements,” she said before the meeting opened. Ecological Uprising MP group chief Aleksandar Jovanovic Cuta said he would record the meeting and publish the video on social media as “a way to open the public broadcasters for everyone, not just the authorities”.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) MP Vladimir Orlic said that Radio TV Vojvodina (RTV) chiefs admitted that the opposition dominated all debates on that public broadcaster. Orlic said that the ruling coalition expressed dissatisfaction with the reporting by both Radio TV Serbia (RTS) and Radio TV Vojvodina (RTV). He said bias was pronounced in news shows and debates with one ruling coalition official having to face off with three from the opposition and the anchor. “There is no fair and proportional attitude. It’s a completely impassioned approach. We go no answer,” he said.

According to Orlic, a former Parliament Speaker, the opposition used the meeting as a media promotion opportunity.

RTV CEO Goran Karadzic told N1 after the meeting that the public broadcaster chiefs heard nothing new in terms of complaints about their coverage of the authorities and opposition. He said that some ruling coalition and opposition MPs questioned the validity of the meeting, adding that the opposition felt that the meeting was not prepared well. He said that the overall conclusion of the meeting was that broadcasters with national frequencies should be present and added that most meeting participants felt that United Group media should also be present.

Chinese President to visit Serbia next week (Beta)

China’s President Xi Jinping will pay a two-day visit to Serbia next week, official Belgrade and Beijing have announced. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s office has stated that Vucic would host Xi on May 7 and 8, while China’s Foreign Ministry has said that Xi would spend the period from May 5 to 10 touring France, Serbia and Hungary. The Chinese president will travel to France on the invitation of his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. The invitations to visit the other two countries were extended by President Vucic and Hungary’s president and prime minister, Tamas Sulyok and Victor Orban, respectively.

The agendas of each visit have yet to be published. During President Xi Jinping’s visit, Serbia will initiate projects of accelerated technological development in areas where it does not have sufficient knowledge, President Aleksandar Vucic said on April 29. In an address to the public, he said the projects were those of “accelerated technological development” in the areas of “robotics, satellite technology, flying automobiles and many other things,” and that this was a way for Serbia to keep up with the world. Vucic said high-speed trains from China had arrived in Serbia and would be presented to the public in the following days.

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Cvijanovic to address UN Security Council via video on Tuesday; U.S. files request asking for Schmidt to address UN SC (ATV)

The Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic officially requested an address at the UN Security Council session, which will be held on Tuesday, April 30th. The request was approved, and Cvijanovic will address the UN Security Council, organized by Russia, via video. Cvijanovic told ATV that her address will explain how Bosniaks in B&H are violating the B&H Constitution and the law. SNSD General Secretary Srdjan Amidzic told ATV that he commends the bravery of Cvijanovic, as she will go to the heart of New York and talk about the troubles of the Serb people in B&H. He also called on Republika Srpska (RS) opposition to take notes from Cvijanovic on what patriotism and having guts means.

B&H Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandar Vranjes told ATV that Cvijanovic’s address will be the first time that the voice of the Serb people will be heard in the UN Security Council concerning the UN Resolution on Srebrenica. He noted that B&H Ambassador to the UN Zlatko Lagumdzija proposed the Resolution without consent from the B&H Presidency, adding that what he proposed was not the joint stance of B&H. Former B&H Ambassador Borislav Maric reiterated for ATV that the B&H Presidency is the only relevant institution to make decisions on foreign policy. ATV reporter noted that the May 2nd session of the UN General Assembly, at which the vote on the Resolution was to take place, was postponed for so-called additional consultations, but that RS and Serbian media claim that it was delayed due to the strong lobbying of RS and Serbian politicians against the Resolution.

ATV carries breaking news that the U.S. filed a request for Christian Schmidt to address the emergency session of the UN Security Council, scheduled for April 30th ‘USA asks for Schmidt to address UN SC, Russians say he can do that in line with the Article 39 of the Rules of Procedures of the UN SC, i.e. to make an address on his own behalf, because he was not confirmed as the High Representative by the UN SC because of which Russia does not recognize him as the High Representative.

Dodik: Konakovic again talks rubbish, story about Srebrenica is a lie (RTRS)

RTRS reports that Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik wrote on “X” that Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Council of Ministers (CoM) Elmedin Konakovic is again talking rubbish, that Konakovic cannot start anything on behalf of B&H because he is not B&H and does not represent B&H because there is not harmonized position within the Presidency of B&H. Dodik further wrote that Konakovic cannot request any reparations and should show common courtesy and address Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic with dignity “because with insults against Vucic, Konakovic insults Serbia and all its citizens”. “He is a cheap populist, incomplete politician and cannot hold lectures to anyone, especially not to big statesman and politician like the President of Serbia”, said Dodik.  He went on to say that Vucic demonstrated his friendship and support to all people in B&H many times, whilst Konakovic and other Bosniak politicians did everything to permanently undermine relations with all Serbs wherever they live. “The story about Srebrenica is a lie. There was no genocide and that has been confirmed by most prominent names from Holocaust research”, wrote Dodik.

Cvijanovic answers to Konakovic: He thinks everyone has to have foreign mentor (RTRS)

Answering Srna’s inquiry to comment statement of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic who said that “Republika Srpska (RS), its leader Milorad Dodik and Zeljka Cvijanovic are Russia’s branch office” and that Aleksandar Vucic followed in these footsteps, Cvijanovic said that she is a branch office for the Constitution and its protection, unlike Konakovic and his buddies who abuse “joint institutions” and bypass the Constitution in order to create a false image that B&H belongs only to them. Cvijanovic said that each time someone messes up their plans, “they” come out with Russia and Serbia and the RS. Cvijanovic said that Konakovic thinks that everyone has to have a foreign mentor, who would lead him on the leash in order to keep him alive in political sense and this is why he is speaking about Russia to avoid talking about abuse of competencies by Bosniak elite. “Because of people like him, it is important for every Serb in the RS that there is a strong Serbia, because strong Serbia is a guarantor that nobody will slander us or harass us anymore,” said Cvijanovic. As for Srebrenica Resolution, Cvijanovic said that neither the Resolution nor its outcome are the result of work of abilities of Bosniak personnel, but of the countries, out of which every one of them has “their own skeletons in the closet” and they do not want them brought in the daylight.

Court of B&H confirms indictment against President of Association ‘Istocna Alternativa’ Vojin Pavlovic for denying genocide in Srebrenica (Nova BH)

Nova BH reports that the first indictment for denying the genocide in Srebrenica has been confirmed in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Namely, the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H has charged President of the Association ‘Istocna Alternativa’ (Eastern Alternative) Vojin Pavlovic from Bratunac with knowingly and willingly approving the commission of the crime of genocide last year at the time of the July 11 commemoration in Srebrenica, by which he committed the criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred, discord and intolerance. The Court of B&H confirmed the indictment against Pavlovic, who is already on trial for glorifying war criminals.

Representatives of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide said that they believe that the indictment against Pavlovic for denying the genocide in Srebrenica can serve as a good lesson. Representatives of the Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide pointed out that everyone, and first of all politicians in the highest positions, should adhere to the verdicts of the courts, primarily of the ICTY. Representatives of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) of B&H pointed out that the practice of not prosecuting cases of denial of the genocide in Srebrenica could be put to an end by confirming the indictment against Pavlovic. BIRN B&H editor Semir Mujkic said that he hopes that other reports for genocide denial will also lead to indictments to prevent further denial of the genocide in Srebrenica.

Pavlovic is accused of, from June to July 12, 2023, in the area of Srebrenica and Bratunac, during the commemoration of July 11 and the burial of the victims of genocide in the municipality of Srebrenica, as the Chairman of the Steering Board of the Association ‘Istocna Alternativa’ of Republika Srpska (RS), knowingly and willingly approving the commission of the criminal act of genocide, pointing out posters on which he publicly approves and tries to justify the crime determined by the final judgments of the International Court in The Hague and the Court of B&H. The indictment was forwarded to the Court of B&H for confirmation, which confirmed it, said Spokesman of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H Boris Grubesic.

Trial of Dodik and Lukic continues before Court of B&H; Dodik says everything is farce and politically rigged process (Nova BH)

The trial of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik and Acting Director of the RS Official Gazette Milos Lukic continued before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) on Monday. The prosecution submitted part of the material evidence at Monday’s hearing, and the rest will be submitted during the continuation of the trial on May 22. Among the first pieces of evidence, the prosecution presented the decisions of High Representative Christian Schmidt, which annul the decisions of the RS National Assembly (RSNA). The defenses of Dodik and Lukic objected to the deposition of these documents, stating that they are documents printed in Word, that they were taken from the OHR website, stating that there is neither Schmidt’s signature nor seal on them. The defense teams said that they insist that Schmidt be heard at the trial because, as they said, everything started from him. Member of Dodik’s legal team Anto Nobilo said that it is very important whether the defense will be allowed to question Schmidt. “We believe that he is an important witness, that everything started with him and that everything was done because of him. Therefore, we would like to see him in the courtroom,” Nobilo said. Member of Dodik’s legal team Goran Petronijevic asked what is the problem with Schmidt coming to the courtroom. “In its written submission, the prosecution devoted two whole pages to the justification of its position that Christian Schmidt should not come as a witness at the request of the defense. Why is Christian Schmidt afraid of the court?”, Petronijevic asked.

Dodik told a press conference in Istocno Sarajevo that everything is a farce and a politically rigged process. “As time goes by, our initial claim is being proven, which is getting stronger and stronger, namely that this is a rigged political process and that one is trying to push all sorts of things into that rigged form,” Dodik said.

Judge Sena Uzunovic said at the beginning of trial that the Court adopted the decision rejecting the proposal of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H for presenting evidence in form of thirty newspaper articles. Uzunovic explained that newspaper articles, as well as articles from news portals, cannot be used as evidence in a criminal proceeding. She said the news articles are results of opinions of the authors, i.e. journalists that worked on those pieces, and as such, they cannot be considered as authentic and verified information and facts. The most important piece of evidence in this case is the decision of the High Representative from July 2023. The Prosecution showed this decision on a digital presentation, but the Defense had a problem with this, saying it is a copy and not an original document with signature and stamp. Dodik told members of the press on Monday that he is not a lawyer but even he knows the website of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) cannot be basis for publishing any type of decision or law. When it comes to the presented Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H said that they removed that provision from the official website of the UN in English language, which is why they officially translated it to Bosnian language. The Prosecution wishes to present the Annex 10 of the Dayton Agreement in order to prove that the High Representative is the only one that can interpret the Agreement. Judge Uzunovic said that the Court cannot now accept that piece of evidence because the Prosecution submitted the document in Bosnian language, and not in the original English version. Nobilo told members of the press that it will be quite important whether the Court of B&H will allow the Defense to call Schmidt as a witness. Nobilo explains that Schmidt is an important witness, because everything started with him and due to his decisions. Next hearing in this case was scheduled for May 22 when the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H will continue to present its evidence.

RS’ 31st Report for UN Security Council adopted and sent: It welcomes EU integration of B&H, condemns HR Schmidt (RTRS)

RTRS carries that the Republika Srpska (RS) Government has adopted the 31st Report for the UN Security Council and it was sent to the UN Secretary General and Security Council members by RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic. The report refers to the period from October 2023 until April 2024. In the first part of the report the RS underlines once again its commitment to the DPA, which preserves peace among Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) peoples and this also includes commitment to constitutional organization as well as sovereignty, territorial integrity of B&H. It also implies firm commitment to future peace in B&H.

In its second part, the report speaks about fast progress which the B&H multiethnic leadership achieved in terms of the EU integration and crucial steps for B&H’s progress to the EU were stressed. Also, the RS welcomed the European Council for recognizing this progress by approving opening of negotiations in B&H and the RS reiterated its strong support to the EU integration of B&H. This part also underlines that since B&H begins negotiations on the EU accession, the time for retuning sovereignty and democratic self-rule to B&H by closing down the OHR has passed a long time ago.  The report added: “As the EU clearly noted, the presence of a foreigner who claims, without any legal ground, that he has an unlimited, despotic autotomy in B&H, is contrary to the EU path. It is also a high time that foreign judges from the Constitutional Court of B&H are replaced by judges who are B&H citizens, as the EC stated in its 14 crucial priorities for the EU integration of B&H.”

The third part of the report refers to efforts of the “retired German politician who claims that he is a high representative, Christian Schmidt, and his supporters to undermine political progress of B&H and EU integration”. The report condemned Schmidt’s imposing of changes to B&H Election Law, noting that in this way, Schmidt provoked a political crisis on purpose to disturb EU integration of B&H, which serves him as an argument that B&H does not deserve sovereignty or that it is run by its democratic institutions. The third part of the report also reads that under pressure of Schmidt, B&H officials have issued an indictment against RS President Milorad Dodik based on “Schmidt’s fake, new criminal law”. This part of the report also deals with the fact that some countries, contrary to declared support to B&H’s aspirations to join the EU, undermine political stability of B&H and they sabotage its EU integration by constant interference in internal matters of B&H. It was concluded that all such moves are destructive for the B&H’s chances to join the EU and its success as a country.

Ministers Helez and Nesic: There will be no war! (Dnevni avaz)

Daily reads that inflammatory rhetoric by politicians has caused concern among the citizens in both entities. In a statement for the daily, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Defense Zukan Helez said, among other issues, that a strong Russian influence, via Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS), increases tensions in B&H, stressing that there will be no separation of any part of B&H. He further said that as far as stability is concerned, the EUFOR Mission has been strengthened, that any kind of attack on EUFOR would alarm NATO. “I would like to say one more time there will not be conflicts, that B&H is peaceful and stable, apart from the rhetoric constantly repeated by Milorad Dodik”, said Helez.

Daily also carried B&H Security Minister Nenad Nesic who told the daily that “we have irresponsible politicians, but we have responsible citizens”. Nesic told (Federation of B&H (FB&H) Interior Minister) Ramo Isak on Monday whom he refers to as “TikTok Ramo”, that if he (Isak) tries to carry out a single illegal operation, he (Isak) “will be tied and processed” by the state institutions. According to Nesic, Isak has problem with lack of votes, which he wants to substitute with nationalistic and aggressive statements. In addition, Nesic said we have responsible security and police agencies, who do everything that there are no conflicts in B&H.

First National Prayer Breakfast held in Sarajevo under slogan ‘Let us all be one’ (Nova BH)

The first National Prayer Breakfast was held in the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Parliament building in Sarajevo on Monday under the slogan ‘Let us all be one’. This event, based on the tradition of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, brought together people from the political, cultural, religious, academic and economic life of the Western Balkans with the aim of promoting understanding between people regardless of political, religious, ideological, cultural or other affiliation. MP in the German Parliament Josip Juratovic, who attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Sarajevo, emphasized that B&H needs peace. “This country needs people who are responsible before God and before people, regardless of party, political option, religion. Whatever they represent or how they think, this country needs peace, it needs stability, it needs common sense,” Juratovic underlined.

University professor from the United States Ahmet Shala said that “many friends from the USA would love to be here with us today (Monday), but I bring their love and their prayers for a united B&H, which is part of NATO, the EU and a promoter of reconciliation.” “This is our message, it is a message from God, because I believe in the message that says – love your neighbor as yourself,” Shala said.

One of the organizers of the National Prayer Breakfast in Sarajevo and SDP B&H MP in the B&H House of Representatives (B&H HoR) Sasa Magazinovic said that “differences should not be an obstacle to being one.” “To go one step further, our message is that our differences should never be an obstacle to being one. I think that at this moment, especially considering the current political moment in B&H, it is extremely important to get together and send these messages,” Magazinovic pointed out. Main sponsor of this event is Chair of B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic. Other organizers are SDP’s MP in B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Magazinovic, Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karic and SPD MP in German Bundestag Josip Juratovic.

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik stated on Monday that “due to the absence of ideas for promoting of a unitary B&H, Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic has convened a national prayer breakfast so that “all can become one” and the list of guests at this tragi-comic gathering speaks enough”.  Dodik further notes that daily threats with war, conflicts etc. come from the FB&H and “somehow they find a way to involve a prayer into all of this”. Dodik added: “Damage that Bosnian Muslims have made by launching the story about Srebrenica Resolution and other unilateral activities is irreparable. It is impossible to go back and pretend that nothing happened. It did happen. And many things happened. We have seen that Bosnian Muslims do not want to live with us, that they want to permanently abolish the RS and label the whole Serb people as genocidal.” Dodik stressed that the opinion on this was clearly expressed, and everything was done to inform those, that want good to the RS and B&H, that such intentions lead to break-up of the current community. He added that there is no other option, adding that nobody can make the Serb people to live with those, who are working on its destruction now. He noted that no prayer can help with this.

Dodik concluded: “Even withdrawal of the Resolution cannot guarantee continuation of B&H’s functioning because how one can trust those who constantly talk against you. This story does not have future, B&H is a failure.” Dodik added that B&H is the biggest failure of the IC, and an image of that failure is a cheap attempt of gathering under patronage of Americans and Christian Schmidt in Sarajevo. Dodik also said: “There is no RS, and the RS will never be there where violation of rights and law is. And there is no B&H without the RS. This pathetic gathering is evidence of a subordinate position, currying favor with Americans and it illustrates who the boss is… At the time of complete crisis, caused by decisions of illegal German, Becirovic and FB&H Prime Minister Nermin Niksic peacefully sit and pray with Schmidt. This is the relation they have towards institutions and people who live in B&H, Complete subordinate position.”

Croatia

Homeland Movement meets with HDZ and SDP (HRT)

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that he believed that his party, the Croatian Democratic Union – or the HDZ – would reach an agreement with the right-leaning Homeland Movement party in the coming days on the formation of a parliamentary majority and thus a new government.  The results of the election became official today, so, beginning tomorrow, President Zoran Milanovic will have twenty days in which to call the first session of parliament. Seventy-six seats in the 151-seat house are required to form a parliamentary majority.

“There is a lot of speculation. The most important thing is that the voters have sent their message. The HDZ has once again won a relative majority and the trust of Croatian citizens to lead the government. We are now in talks on the formation of the new parliamentary majority, which will resume today. I believe that in the coming days we will agree on a new parliamentary majority and then on a government,” said Plenkovic on Monday.

Both the left and the right are trying to sway the Homeland Movement and their fourteen seats in parliament over to their respective sides. And while ideologically, an HDZ and Homeland Movement pairing seems more likely, the latter held negotiations again this morning with the left-leaning Rivers of Justice coalition led by the SDP. And while they are on opposite sides of the spectrum, the foundation of that particular coalition would be based on the common goal of anti-corruption.

SDP President Pedja Grbin said after the meeting that freedom of the press – namely repealing the so-called Lex AP legislation – and the removal of newly-appointed Chief State Attorney Ivan Turudic were the absolute priorities and that everything else was a matter of compromise and negotiation.

When asked whether the 20-day deadline for the formation of a new cabinet would be sufficient, Plenkovic recalled that the HDZ had won 61 seats in 2016 and was later able to form a government. “We had the same situation back in 2016 when we also had 61 seats. I believe we needed about a month and five days in order to gather 91 signatures from MPs in order to become prime minister. Last time I need maybe only two hours after the elections, but that’s how it is. Negotiations are ongoing. This situation appears more like the one in 2016 rather than 2020, but this is nothing out of the ordinary,” said Plenkovic. Meanwhile, the prime minister once again criticised the opposition for resorting to “senseless rhetoric” against the HDZ, which he described as “a political disgrace for Croatia”.

EU looks to expand budget as it faces a future with multiple challenges (HRT)

The EU held its annual Budget Conference in Brussels on Monday, focusing the budget’s role in preparing the bloc for the future as it faces challenges like the green and digital transition and turbulent geopolitical times.  Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic took was there along with Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn, the presidents of the IMF and the European Central Bank, and EU finance ministers. The future European multi-year budget should ensure a more competitive Europe, based on solidarity and flexibility, said Plenkovic.

“In order to achieve those objectives, I would like to offer three interconnected guided images that could shape the structure of the future EU budget and make it more fit for the world of tomorrow. First, an EU budget based on solidarity and flexibility. Second, a budget that would ensure social convergence and protect the wellbeing of our citizens. And third, a European budget that would enhance the EU’s role on a global level and make it more influential,” said the PM.

Monday’s conference was the first in a series of informal but still high-level talks about the EU’s priorities for the next decade and whether the budgeting structures and methods are adequate for the challenges that lay ahead. “Future proofing of expenditure is key. Our climate and digital ambitions should run like a golden thread in every program because our European budget works as seed-financing, triggering European added value, for example by supporting cross-border or cross-regional projects. We also need a more agile budget. Our current long-term budget proves this very well. Multiple unforeseeable challenges such as Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, followed by the energy crisis and inflation have stretched all flexibilities,” said EU Budget Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Official negotiations on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028 to 2034 have not yet started, and this conference can be considered the beginning of an informal discussion about it.

Montenegro

Scholz: It’s high time for Montenegro’s membership in EU, I’m delighted with ambition; Spajic: I don’t expect any blockage (Antena M, RTCG)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised Montenegrin PM Milojko Spajic support on the EU path. Spajic emphasized that it was important for Montenegro to receive IBAR in June and that it had the support of Germany on that path. “Montenegro is an important factor of stability in the Western Balkans. It is important that we put a lot of effort into stability in the region because that has big repercussions on the membership”, said Scholz at the press conference. “Your arrival confirms that we are close partners. It is high time for the membership to be carried out, because the promise for membership was made more than 20 years ago. The prospects for Montenegro are great, and no country in the region is implementing such reforms. This commitment to reforms is important”, emphasized the German chancellor. He said that Montenegro had to make all decisions on its own. “This also applies to further reforms in the field of justice, which should be quickly implemented”, said Scholz. He emphasized Germany’s determination to develop regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Scholz also emphasized that Montenegro was an important NATO ally.

Spajic thanked Scholz for the meaningful meeting and said that Montenegro saw Germany as a strategic partner. According to him, attracting credible investors from Germany is also of great importance. Spajic stressed he expected Germany’s help in reforming the police. When asked if the expectations of Montenegrin officials to join the EU in the next four years were realistic, Scholz said he saw great progress.

Milatovic-Lajcak: Montenegro should take advantage of the positive moment and become the first next member of the EU (CDM)

President of the country Jakov Milatovic received on a farewell visit the special envoy of the European Union for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and other regional issues of the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak, and on that occasion, he emphasized that Montenegro remains strongly committed to the path to full membership in the EU, which is the main foreign policy goal of our country.  “He pointed out that our country, by implementing broad social and political reforms, deserved the final stage of the EU accession process, and receiving IBAR would be an additional impulse on our European path,” Milatovic’s office announced. He also assessed that the accession of Montenegro to the EU would be a message to other candidate countries to persevere in reforms and that the enlargement process is still alive.

Special envoy Lajcak said that for Montenegro there is a positive moment in the EU that should be used, adding that our country is well on its way to becoming the next member.

“Also, he emphasized the importance of the role of the President in the process of European integration and democratic reforms in our country,” the statement added.

Milatovic said that good neighborly relations are one of the pillars of our foreign policy, and that Montenegro, as a credible ally within NATO, contributes significantly to the peace and stability of the Western Balkan region. In the end, he thanked Lajcak for his efforts so far when it comes to Montenegro and wished him success in his future professional engagement.

Ivanovic – Lajcak: Montenegro is in the best position to be the next member of the EU (CDM)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Filip Ivanovic, received on a farewell visit the special representative of the European Union for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and other regional issues of the Western Balkans, Miroslav Lajcak, it was announced from the MFA. “Montenegro is in the best position to become the next member of the European Union”, was assessed during the meeting. Ivanovic thanked Lajcak for his commitment to affirming the European perspective of the Western Balkans. He pointed out that Montenegro remains fully focused on fulfilling obligations from the European agenda and entering the final phase of negotiations. “We believe that the results achieved by Montenegro and the positive moment within the EU are an incentive for other candidate countries, especially in our region. The enlargement process is once again high among the Union’s priorities, the member countries recognize the progress we are making, and we will complete our part of the work,” Ivanovic said.

Lajcak assessed that Montenegro is on a very good path to closing the chapter, which will enter the final phase of negotiations. “The EU wants Montenegro to continue to be a success story.” The doors of the Union are open, and Montenegro is in the best position to be the next member.” He also said that our country is traditionally recognized as a reliable partner and a country dedicated to good neighborly relations and regional cooperation, and that it is crucial to remain focused on the priority goal – EU membership. During the meeting, the current regional situation was also discussed, with special reference to the necessity of strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding, based on common interests and goals, among which, in the first place, is membership in the European Union.

Nic: Spajic said that Montenegro will support the Resolution on Srebrenica, but will not co-sponsor it (CDM)

Montenegro will support the Resolution on Srebrenica, but will not co-sponsor it, that is what Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said, as written by the German expert on the Western Balkans and NATO expansion, Milan Nic. Nic wrote on the X social network that he asked Spajic about the potential Montenegrin sponsorship of the UN Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, to which Spajić replied that Montenegro will not sponsor the Resolution, but will support it. “I had the opportunity to ask Spajic about Montenegro’s move towards the EU, whether it is better to go alone or in a smaller group. Also, I was interested in the balancing act between the fragile parliamentary majority versus the principles of those in power, as well as its position and the Government’s position on the proposed UN Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica”, Nic wrote.

Dodik on Montenegro’s decision to support the resolution on Srebrenica: The new government, like Djukanovic’s, is anti-Serbian (CDM)

The president of the Bosnian and Herzegovina (B&H) entity Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik reacted to Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic‘s confirmation that Montenegro will support the resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, when it is voted on in the UN, but will not co-sponsor it.

“The Montenegrin Prime Minister’s announcement that he will support the resolution on Srebrenica is morally, politically and historically catastrophic. If they did not take into account the stigma that this resolution imposes on the entire Serbian people, they could at least have asked themselves how the close to 40 percent of Montenegrin citizens who identify themselves as Serbs will feel,” Dodik said. He also claimed that the new government, like the long-standing Djukanovic, is anti-Serbian. “Milo Djukanovic was defeated in the elections, but politics, which as a rule is to the detriment of Serbs in Montenegro, unfortunately won. Prime Minister Spajc confirmed this tonight,” said Dodik.

Spajic stated in Berlin that Montenegro will support the Resolution on the Srebrenica genocide at the UN, although it will not co-sponsor it. As Milan Nic from the German Council for Foreign Affairs (DGAP), who was among the representatives of NGOs and political decision-makers who spoke with the Prime Minister, announced on his X account, he was in a position to ask Prime Minister Spajic for his position on the resolution. “Prime Minister Spajić’s response to the proposed UN General Assembly Resolution on Srebrenica? The Montenegrin government will support it but not be a co-sponsor,” wrote Nich on the X network.

North Macedonia

Osmani: People’s will to be seen on May 8, it cannot be trampled (MIA)

VMRO-DPMNE’s announcement that the Worth It coalition is the desired partner in the next government prior to witnessing the people’s will on May 8 is an attempt to belittle the dignity of Albanians and other communities, said Foreign Minister and DUI’s presidential candidate Bujar Osmani on Monday.

“Over the past few days, Mickoski has brought back the memories among Albanians over the century-long slavery, belittling and submission, irritating a nerve we believed was deeply hidden. This is no longer an issue of choosing between the European Front and Worth It, because those results came out on April 24. We now have a situation of mobilization against attempts to trample on the dignity of people in this country when talking about a government even before the May 8 vote. I have never seen such mobilization before, and Mickoski has managed to achieve this in only a couple of days. The people’s will cannot be trampled,” Osmani told reporters.

Asked about a possible support to either of the presidential candidates in the runoff, Osmani said the European Front would decide on this upon analysing the results from the first round and latest developments.

On the constitutional amendments, Osmani said no government can operate without the EU, noting that “the ball is in our court, and it depends on us whether we use this, because the country lost 20 years with the name issue”. “You know the saying, ‘Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’. Irresponsible politicians fooled us for 20 years. If they fool us again and we lose another 20 years using the same recipe and formula, then I am afraid we will be the accomplices in this. Therefore, I do not think this is the time to talk about governments and coalitions, it is time to come out before the citizens and tell them they are facing a historic decision – will we isolate ourselves or integrate, will we impose ethnic supremacy or coexist and have an EU perspective. Citizens will make this decision on May 8,” underlined Osmani.

Mexhiti: Worth It coalition doesn’t want to be part of anti-European gov’t at any cost (MIA)

The Worth It coalition doesn’t want at any cost to be part of an anti-European government, Democratic Movement leader Izet Mexhiti said Monday. “We think that only Levica is anti-European, and we don’t want to be government coalition partners with them. The other parties are mainly pro-European. Our priority is European integration,” Mexhiti told reporters in Skopje.

When asked what the coalition’s conditions that will be presented to the VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski in coalition-forming talks, Mexhiti said the Worth It is focused on promoting the election program. “We are also focused on winning and we’re confident we’ll be entrusted with the legitimacy of the Albanians, and we’ll win more MP seats. This is our focus until May 8 after which we will negotiate over the government’s program,” he said.

Mexhiti reiterated that the coalition’s focus is on election victory when asked what the ideal timeline would be for opening and amending the Constitution.  “We are a partner of the international community and of the citizens and Macedonia is on the course that is the only alternative for the country – the Euro-Atlantic process,” he stated.  Commenting on the agreement that a government should be formed by the winners from the Macedonian bloc and the winners from the Albanian bloc, Mexhiti recalled that DUI had broken the rule in 2016. “You lose the right once you break the rule”.

In 2016, DUI decided to become the junior government coalition partner with SDSM instead of with VMRO-DPMNE after SDSM had won 49 seats in Parliament. VMRO-DPMNE had won 51.  “We all know that the new government should be formed by VMRO-DPMNE,” Mexhiti said noting that the Worth It coalition on May 8 will become “the legitimate representative of the Albanians after winning the most votes and seats in Parliament.”

Osmani on MFA’s 55th anniversary: We are reliable members of every important international organization (MIA)

Despite complicated regional and global developments, North Macedonia positioned itself on the international scene as an active and reliable factor and it has never been closer to the EU; so, it is important to further develop career diplomats’ skills according to European standards, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani told a press conference marking 55 years since the establishment of the country’s diplomatic service. During that time, Minister Osmani said, the MFA had held fast to its unwavering commitment to developing international relations that positioned North Macedonia “as an equal country, a member of all important regional and international organizations, a country honoring international principles and rules, helping others in trouble, and most importantly, a modern and stable state.”

Thanking all MFA staff on their professionalism, consistency, dedication, enthusiasm and love for their country, Osmani listed a number of foreign policy achievements over the past four years he had been at the helm of the ministry.

As the state’s greatest successes, Osmani highlighted its NATO membership, the start of negotiations with the EU, and achieving full compliance with the foreign and security policy of the EU.  He also highlighted the start of the Strategic Dialogue with the US, which had strengthened bilateral relations; the diplomatic response to the threats posed by Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and the country’s support of Ukraine; and the deployment of forces in NATO-led missions on the Alliance’s eastern flank. “We made considerable changes at the regional level, asserting ourselves as a regional leader in promoting good neighborly policy by finding solutions to long-standing open bilateral issues as well as through newly acquired regional positions and promoting regional stability,” Osmani said. He pointed out the Prespa Dialogue Forum, which is in its fourth year, as especially valuable for regional development and cooperation. He also mentioned in this context the Balkan 6 informal platform for political cooperation; the country’s initiative to support investment projects along Corridor 8 between North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria and Italy; and the responsibility of being the depository of the three international agreements signed between North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo as part of the Berlin Process on the mutual recognition of identity cards, university diplomas and professional qualifications.

Osmani also spoke about North Macedonia’s successful chairpersonships of OSCE and the US–Adriatic Charter in 2023 and the ongoing chairpersonship of the South-East European Cooperation Process. He said the country strengthened its political dialogue with EU and NATO member states; strengthened its ties with diaspora community members; filled vacancies in its diplomatic missions and achieved fair representation at all levels in the MFA. “That is why I can proudly conclude today that despite being conditioned by complicated regional and international developments, we managed to place North Macedonia on the pedestal of the international scene as an active, trustworthy and credible factor,” Osmani said.

“Our diplomats’ great battles will not stop here. North Macedonia has never been closer to the EU, so it is of crucial importance to further develop the skills of our diplomacy in accordance with European standards.  “At the same time, we have to continue building our diplomacy’s capability to respond to the scale, character, speed and dynamics of existing and no doubt future challenges, making sure the new generation of diplomats feel inspired, make progress, and work hard on maintaining the country’s relevance and high reputation,” Osmani said, offering his best wishes to his colleagues at the MFA and diplomatic missions abroad.

The usual awards ceremony could not be held this year, Osmani added, because of the elections. The MFA was originally established as a Foreign Relations Bureau on April 29, 1969. In 1991, after the country’s independence, it was transformed into a Secretariat for Foreign Relations. Three years later, it was renamed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Albania

Albania-Kosovo, cooperation in respecting citizens’ rights (Radio Tirana)

The Office of the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data and the Agency for Information and Privacy (AIP) of Kosovo exchanged best practices for high standards in respecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. A group of employees of the counterpart authority conducted a study visit to Tirana, within the framework of the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement signed between the two institutions in 2022.

This activity was divided into two parts and addressed a series of issues and topics related to both fields of responsibility of the authorities, as well as their internal organization and functioning. During the meeting, practical cases were extensively discussed, both in the field of the right to information and in that of the protection of personal data or the development of joint inspections in specific sectors. At the same time, respective experiences were shared in drafting subordinate acts or guidelines and opinions, as well as ideas were exchanged for strengthening the administrative and professional capacities of AIP. Another important point was the support of the Office of the Commissioner for the advancement of the status and membership of the authority of Kosovo in international organizations.

Hasani: Use of systems should be based on international laws and human rights (Radio Tirana)

Albania, as a NATO member, supports the use of the autonomous weapons system only on the basis of international laws and human rights. This is what the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani stated at the Vienna Conference, Humanity at the Crossroads: Autonomous Weapon Systems and the Challenge of Regulation, organized by the Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg.

The conference focused on the need for regulation related to increasing the autonomy of weapons through the use of artificial intelligence. Minister Hasani appreciated the commitment of Austria to discuss the progress related to this very current topic and the challenges it poses. “The use of the systems should be carried out only based on norms, principles, international laws and respect for human rights. The key in using autonomous systems is trust. “NATO and the allied countries must build up high levels of trust in technology, operationality and above all trust in the public,” Hasani underlined during his intervention. In 2023, Albania supported and co-sponsored Resolution 78/241 “On the autonomous lethal weapons system,” proposed by Austria and passed in the UN General Assembly. The resolution emphasizes the importance of clearly defining the regulatory framework for their use and increasing of the international cooperation between state and non-state actors.

Mazniku in Brussels for the establishment of the Joint Consultative Council (Radio Tirana)

The State Minister for Local Government, Arbjan Mazniku, along with mayors from across the country, are in Brussels to establish the Joint Consultative Council with the European Committee of the Regions. In a social media post, Mazniku stated, “Collaboration in this Council is crucial considering that 70% of European legislation (acquis communautaire) will be implemented at the local level.” “The government is committed to training municipal staff to be able to implement these reforms and to access more funds from various EU programs,” emphasized Mazniku. Furthermore, to strengthen local authority, Mazniku stated that the government will take the necessary step of significantly increasing wages for their employees. “Additionally, the approval of the 6-billion-euro Growth Plan by the European Parliament recently will be a much-needed and supportive instrument for the development of local areas,” said Mazniku.