LOCAL PRESS
President Nikolic meets Ban Ki-moon (RTS/Tanjug/Radio Serbia)
On the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly session in New York, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic had talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Serbia’s EU integrations process, the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Serbia-UN cooperation, Serbia’s role in UN peacekeeping missions and the forthcoming OSCE presidency, states the readout of the meeting. Ban commended Serbia for its efficient response to the catastrophic floods that struck it in May, whereas Nikolic, in the context of a UN climate summit held two days before, pointed to the relation between such natural disasters and climate changes. The two also discussed the situation in the Middle East and in Ukraine and the issue of combatting the Ebola virus.
Vucic: Calls for autonomy are irresponsible (Tanjug)
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic told a news conference he was not concerned about the calls for autonomy South Tyrol for Sandzak that had come from the leader of the Sandzak Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Sulejman Ulgljanin, but he added that such behavior was irresponsible. The citizens of Sandzak have rights equal to those of the people of South Tyrol, he stressed. Vucic stated he was not very concerned about Ugljanin’s statements, but added that he did not underestimate the nationalist and chauvinistic sentiment some were inciting. “The Serbian government will take all the actions allowed by law and the Constitution. But look how irresponsible this behavior is. Only three municipalities with a Bosniak majority, which we care for and wish to work with,” he stated. He wondered what Ugljanin’s answer would be to some irresponsible people talking about 61 municipalities and 2 cities in the Republika Srpska. “That is a little more than three municipalities, and I do not allow this to be discussed because it is not a responsible and serious political agenda. The Serbian government will act in the interest of its people and protect its integrity and sovereignty while not threatening anyone. We do not think we have any problems, apart from the economic, which we are resolving together with our Bosniak friends,” Vucic said.
Omerovic: Inappropriate comparison of Kosovo and Sandzak (Politika/Tanjug)
The Chairperson of the Serbian parliament’s Committee for Human and Minority Rights Meho Omerovic has stated that comparing Kosovo and Metohija with Sandzak is inappropriate and that the vice president of the Sandzak Party of Democratic Action (SDA) Enis Imamovic, who is doing this, is swimming on the wave of nationalism and the return to the 90s, attempting to radicalize the state-of-affairs in this part of Serbia. Omerovic underlines in the statement quoted by Tanjug that the topic discussed by Imamovic is a very touchy one and yet another in a series of “cheap tricks, adulating voters and a dangerous spinning attempt before the elections for the Bosniak national council”. “It is meaningless to compare the super-rich Tyrol and poor Sandzak. South Tyrol was created in 1946 by agreement between two sovereign states – Italy and Austria, so I don’t know how he plans to apply this model to Sandzak,” said Omerovic, wondering what is the other state with which Serbia would eventually sign an agreement, whether it is B&H or Turkey, Greece or Albania.
Djuric: There cannot be interstate agreements with Kosovo (RTS)
The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric says that Serbia and Kosovo cannot sign interstate agreements, as carried by the Pristina press, because Belgrade and Pristina are not talking as two states “but as the central authorities and a province”. Djuric points out that it is very important for negotiations to continue and for political agreements on normalization to be reached. “We do not want to build the future of all residents in Kosovo in conflict, but in normal relations. There are things on which we can never agree, but this doesn’t mean that we should not leave once and for all the stand that what is good for the Serbs is bad for the Albanians and vice versa,” Djuric told the morning broadcast of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS). Djuric is visiting Kosovo and Metohija and will attend the “Bozur Fest” event organized by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija from today until 27 September.
Djuric: All details of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue presented to public and citizens (Danas)
Unlike Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, who has recently stated that Serbia will never sign a peace agreement with Kosovo, the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric has stated that this is not excluded, i.e. “that everything depends on what will be offered”. “It all depends. We are open for any kind of cooperation,” Djuric said in an interview for today’s Pristina daily Koha Ditore, responding to the question whether Serbia will accept to sign a peace agreement if Pristina offers it. Asked by Danas how much the public is acquainted with all the details of the Brussels dialogue and how he comments different statements by Belgrade and Pristina representatives, i.e. how much are they adapted to internal political needs, Djuric points out that he is “a witness that there had been attempts of manipulating the public regarding agreements after a series of meetings” and that this occurred recently regarding the agreement on administrative crossings and energy”. “It is a matter of a political decision by Pristina representatives in the negotiations in what way will they present the outcome of talks. What I can say is that we tried with our statements following these talks to speak very precisely and only what is the factual state. We probably need to work more on informing the public about the problems and challenges in the functioning of institutions,” Djuric tells Danas, adding that he guarantees that all information is available to citizens. Responding to the question as to whether there are some details that are confidential and that are still not made public, Djuric says that there are phases in the course of the negotiations where, prior to the announcement of negotiations results “and this is usually before agreement is reached”, this is not discussed much in the public. “But the moment when some agreement is reached, it is necessary and an obligation for this agreement to be available to the public. Our obligation, to which will be devoted to the end, is to offer an answer to the public in all aspects of the agreement and in all fields,” said Djuric.
Joksimovic: Opening the first chapter by end of year would give Serbia hope (Tanjug)
Serbian Minister without Portfolio in charge of EU Integrations Jadranka Joksimovic said she believed Serbia would open its first chapter in the EU accession talks by the end of the year and that would represent an encouragement on the EU part to Serbia’s efforts. Serbia is ready to open Chapter 32, on financial control and there is no technical problem preventing the chapter to be opened in December, she said. However, some countries are conditioning the opening of the chapter with a visible progress in the implementation of the Brussels agreement, which is monitored through Chapter 35, pointed out Joksimovic. She said that for its part, Serbia has done a lot despite the fact that the Pristina government has not been formed yet and that Pristina could not take part in the political part of the dialogue. We believe that it would not be fair to delay the opening of Chapter 32 over Chapter 35 because we have done all in our power, Joksimovic said.
REGIONAL PRESS
EU Delegation: False statements and allegations of Nikola Spiric (Dnevni avaz)
The EU Delegation/ EUSR Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) responded to allegations made by Nikola Spiric – “statements and claims of Minister Nikola Spiric are false”, he claimed that the donor conference in Brussels has taken a manifestation character and said that he feels that Brussels is waiting for the election results in order to help the citizens in B&H, which he in that case doesn’t see as helping but blackmailing. “At the donor conference, the EU has pledged assistance to B&H in the amount of 85 million euros. The fact is that we are currently implementing the first part of the donated funds of 42 million euros trough the EU Program for the flood recovery. The Program is being implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and IOM, towards meeting the requirements from the recovery assessment, which was published in July. The EU does not wait, but actively helps the population in B&H. The EU citizens’ money, donated in solidarity with people of B&H, is currently being used for the recovery of schools, health centers, municipality buildings and centers for social work. These funds are helping the most vulnerable families in rebuilding their homes and it is helping to re-start the domestic economy.
The EU is currently preparing the second donation phase in B&H, with the additional package of 43 million euros. Considering all these facts, it is absolutely unacceptable that the local official is misleading the public in such a way. It is an insult to all of those who are working hard and an insult to the solidarity shown by the EU citizens,” the statement said.
SDA: Current state government has blocked B&H from entering NATO (Fena)
“The Party of Democratic Action (SDA) was the leader of the reform process that led Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) to a doorstep of the NATO alliance, but the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Alliance for a Better Future (SBB), the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) did not make the final step, because they were too busy fighting for the power and degradation of the state of B&H,” the SDA stated. They believe that the Democratic Front (DF) didn’t do anything on the issue, after there has been a rift within the SDP. Instead of implementing the decisions of the B&H Constitutional Court on the registration of prospective military sites to Ministry of Defense, what was a condition for the activation of the Action Plan for NATO membership (MAP), the current state government has adopted a long-term deleterious budgetary framework that reduced spending for the B&H Armed Forces. The SDA has warned that it is necessary to immediately and without delay implement the decision of the B&H Constitutional Court and continue the reform of the defense, provide sufficient funds in becoming a full member of the NATO alliance. “NATO membership is a clear indicator of stability of a country, and therefore more than excellent recommendation for foreign investors,” the SDA stated. “Being part of the NATO alliance means to be under a great security umbrella that is a guarantee that aggression will never happen again”.
Ivanov meets Nimetz (Republika)
Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov hosted a meeting with Ambassador Matthew Nimetz, Special Envoy of UN Secretary General in the name dispute talks. The current situation in the name issue resolution talks has been discussed over the meeting. Greeting Ambassador Nimetz’s engagement, President Ivanov has reaffirmed Macedonia’s position and commitment to reaching mutually acceptable resolution to the name issue. Solution of the name issue requires constructive approach from both sides and observance of the talks’ framework – UN Security Council resolutions, the Interim Accord and the ruling of the International Court of Justice, said President Gjorge Ivanov. In this regard, Ivanov urged for respect of international law and observance of undertaken commitments. “As before, the Republic of Macedonia will be an active and constructive participant in the process of reaching a mutually acceptable solution”, said President Ivanov. Ivanov also voiced Macedonia’s preparedness for meetings at the highest level and intensification of the dialogue. Earlier, UN envoy Nimetz met with Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki and new name negotiator Vasko Naumovski. “It is in Macedonia’s interest to overcome the only difficult and long-standing problem with our Greek partners”, said Poposki, adding this required observance of international law and political will. Poposki expressed hope that Athens would send a similar signal after Nimetz’s visit.
INTERNATIONAL PRESS
UN chief to appoint high-level review panel on peace operations (Xinhua, 24 September 2014)
UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday announced that he will appoint a high-level panel to review the United Nations peace operations in order to better meet the challenges in today’s world.
He made the remarks while addressing the UN General Assembly before the start of the annual high-level debate of the 193-member body.
“To better meet the challenges before us, I have called for a review of United Nations peace operations and will appoint a high-level review panel in the coming weeks,” he said.
Ban did not give further details on the proposed review panel.
The UN peace operations mainly include peace mediation, peace building and peacekeeping efforts of the world body.
Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the UN to assist host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
Peacekeeping is flexible and over the past two decades has been deployed in many configurations. There are currently 17 UN peace operations deployed on four continents.
Kosovo Counts Cost of Political Stalemate (BIRN, by Nektar Zogjani, 25 September 2014)
Four months on without a new government, delays in forming key institutions are impacting on the economy, on talks with Serbia and on progress with the European Union.
Almost four months on from the general elections, Kosovo is stuck in political deadlock as a result of the failure initially to elect a speaker for the assembly and then proceed with the election of a new government.
Ibrahim Rexhepi, an economic expert, said the country was losing a good deal result of delays in forming a government.
According to him, looking at the budgetary spreadsheets, it is only “the salaries and per diems that are going well, while there has been significant decline in capital investments.
“Economic development is suffering from inertia,” he said.
“The consequences will be noticed in the coming months because many things that were supposed to happen during the course of this year are being dragged out,” he added.
Last week, BIRN reported that 16 different agencies were waiting for the Assembly to complete their boards of directors, and some are unable to function because there is not a quorum on their boards.
Another issue that Rexhepi mentioned is the 2014 budget review. According to him, it is parliamentary practice in Kosovo to have a mid-year budget review, but in the current circumstances this cannot take place.
Meanwhile, the privatization of some important enterprises, such as the post and telecommunications company, the Brezovica winter resort, and others, is also on hold, he noted.
Kosovo is still due to elect a speaker, although the biggest parliamentary group, the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK – the only party with the right to nominate the speaker – does not have the sufficient number of votes to do so.
The courts threw out the election in July of the opposition leader, Isa Mustafa, as speaker and declared that the PDK had the sole right to nominate a candidate.
However, the court did not specify how the assembly should proceed in case the biggest parliamentary group failed to elect the speaker.
Last week, the PDK candidate, Arsim Bajrami, won only 44 votes out of 116 deputies that were present in the session.
The PDK has only 37 seats in the assembly, and so far has failed to lure any of the other parties into a coalition.
On the other hand, the bloc comprising the LDK, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, the Initiative for Kosovo, and the Self-Determination Movement, with 63 seats, could easily elect a speaker.
Immediately afterwards, the chair of the session, Edita Tahiri, adjourned the session.
Political analyst Naim Rashiti believes that the failure to elect new institutions will also have a negative impact on Kosovo’s hopes of visa liberalization with the European Union.
“Kosovo was doing well in the spring in continuing the visa liberalization dialogue, which was planned to end by the end of the year. Now this process is on hold for almost another year,” he said.
Rashiti noted that besides snags in the visa liberalization process, there will also be delays in the EU-led talks between Kosovo and Serbia and on implementing agreements reached earlier in these negotiations.
“The worst is that we still do not know when we will have our institutions established,” he said.
The Kosovo institutional deadlock started early this year, as Hashim Thaci’s government failed to push through some key decisions he promised for a while, including transformation of the existing seats for ethnic minorities in parliament due to the lack of votes in the parliament.
A broad agreement to dissolve parliament followed talks between political leaders that took the country to early elections.
The major political parties have not voiced any serious interest in holding new elections, but in the given circumstances it is the Democratic Party of Kosovo who could benefit more from new polls.
The PDK could boost its votes if it persuaded its former coalition partner, New Kosovo Alliance, AKR, to run together with it. The AKR failed to get the 5 per cent of the votes it needed to get into parliament.
Analyst Leon Malazogu said he doubted a new election would change anything. “It is not in the interest of Kosovo citizens,” Malazogu said. “I think that we would arrive in the same position again after more elections.”
Montenegro Ruling Parties to Start Reshuffle Talks (BIRN, by Dusica Tomovic, 25 September 2014)
Montenegro’s governing coalition is expecting to start talks on a cabinet reshuffle next week, after party leaders agreed to recompose their alliance at national level.
Talks on government personnel changes could be completed in the second half of October , BIRN has learned from a source in the Montenegrin government, ending in a vote on the government’s reconstruction in parliament.
Another source within the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, the party led by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, told BIRN that “drastic changes” are not on the cards.
However, not even Djukanovic’s closest associates know what he will decide, the same source added.
“It is almost certain that there will be no substantial reconstruction, only three or four new ministers,” the source continued.
The government, led by the DPS and the Social Democratic Party, SDP, agreed to initiate a reshuffle in early September, when an agreement on establishing a municipal government in the capital, Podgorica, was signed.
The parties disclosed the basic text of the post-election agreement in Podgorica but the annex to the agreement, concerning the reconstruction of the state government, has remained hidden.
The BIRN source claimed that the “final word” on personnel changes in the cabinet will be given by Djukanovic and by the head of the SDP, the speaker of parliament, Ranko Krivokapic.
“First, we have to agree on priorities and on the new basis of communication between the government and parliament, which we had some issues about in the previous period. After that, the easier part of the job is to propose a reconstruction,” Djukanovic stated last week.
What is certain is that the cabinet will get new ministers of education and culture. Curent Education Minister Slavoljub Stijepovic will become Mayor of Podgorica on October 6 and the Minister of Culture, Branislav Micunovic, has been appointed Ambassador in Belgrade.
Their successors could be the ex-Minister for European Integration, Gordana Djurovic, and the director of the Montenegrin National Theatre, Janko Ljumovic.
The BIRN source said that the longstanding aim of Djukanovic’s party to take over the Interior Ministry, led by the SDP’s Rasko Konjevic, is back on the agenda. In return, Krivokapic’s party is keen to obtain the Ministry of Defence.
The DPS official said that one of the ideas up for discussion is to merge the Ministries of Education and Science, to cut government spending.
Analyst Dragisa Janjusevic said he doubted that the reshuffle would bring about significant changes. For a government enmeshed in serious economic, commercial and security problems, he added, three or four new names means nothing.
“Nothing is going to happen, only cosmetic changes that will help the government to survive until the new elections scheduled for 2016,” Janjusevic told BIRN on Wednesday.
A likely reshuffle has been a buzzword on the political scene since the May local election, when Djukanovic complained that some ministers “can’t see the wood for the trees”, without clarifying what this might mean in practice.
The government, formed in October 2012, consists of the DPS, the SDP, the Liberal Party and some smaller parties representing ethnic minorities.
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Media summaries are produced for the internal use of the United Nations Office in Belgrade, UNMIK and UNHQ. The contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership.
