LOCAL PRESS

Tear gas thrown at municipal councilors in Bela Crkva (B92, Beta, Blic)

Provincial Secretary for Local Self-Government in Vojvodina Branislav Bugarski has described “the events in Bela Crkva” as “a scandal.” He also said the Provincial Government would ask “the international community and the European Union to protect Vojvodina.” A coalition led by the Democratic Party (DS) is in power in the province. That party is in opposition at the state level. A coalition led by the Democratic Party (DS) is in power in the province, while this party is in opposition at the state level, where the Progressives (SNS) – in opposition at the provincial level – are the ruling party. Head of the DS in the town of Bela Crkva Zeljko Crnogorac said earlier today that tear gas was thrown at municipal councilors of the DS and the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV), and that “private security guards are not allowing them to attend the extraordinary session of the (municipal) assembly convened at the initiative of the Serb Progressive Party (SNS)” – which is in opposition in Bela Crkva. The ruling local coalition in that town consists of the DS, LSV and United Serbia – whose vice-president recently joined the SNS. Bugarski told the Beta agency on Friday that it was “unacceptable that legitimately elected councilors have been banned from attending the session, while the police silently stand by.” “The situation is getting more than worrisome, and now it is certain that the international community will have to protect Vojvodina and democracy in Vojvodina,” said he. Bugarski added that the Provincial Government will “ask international institutions that the EU sends observers to the forthcoming elections in Vojvodina and in Vojvodina local governments.” “Since citizens are not protected by their judicial system and their Ministry of Interior, which should, above all, respect the Constitution of Serbia, then the international community will have to do it,” said provincial secretary for local self-government. He added that “no party in Serbia has the right to suspend democracy.” Meanwhile, the daily Blic is reporting that the SNS rejected the accusations that came from the Democrats today, saying “they are the ones who came under attack.” The SNS claim that the DS and the LSV brought about 100 people in front of the municipal building who are protesting in order to prevent the holding of the session. On Thursday, the DS announced that the SNS was attempting to come to power in Bela Crkva by “abducting a certain number of councilors from the ruling majority.”

The SNS yesterday made no statement on this subject.

PM asks EU to come up with policy for migrant crisis (Tanjug)

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Friday appealed on the EU to establish a single policy towards migrants. Unilateral measures and a lack of a unified EU policy on this matter would be very bad, Vucic stressed after a meeting with EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. “When someone says that they will not take in members of this or that nation, it needs to be agreed at EU level or, at least, we need to be informed of that timely so that we can react,” Vucic said. The refugee crisis is still ongoing, the prime minister observed, adding that 2,877 migrants entered Serbia yesterday (Jan. 14), while the daily average is at 2,500. “People in Serbia do not even notice that the problem still exists,” Vucic said, pointing out to “the efficient work of competent authorities.” He thanked the EU commissioner for “the significant assistance provided by the EU during the entire duration of the refugee crisis.” Vucic said that Serbia will “successfully execute each task given by the EU as a serious and responsible country, protecting the rights of these people, respecting human rights, but will also to do what has been agreed and what is the overall policy of the Union.” He thanked the EU for the decision to open an office for humanitarian affairs in Belgrade, stressing that it was “important for our country.”

Asked by reporters whether the violence which occurred in Germany could happen here, Vucic said he “does not believe in cataclysmic scenarios” and pointed out that migrants’ destination countries are “countries-heroes” – while Serbia is merely a transit country. “The stories about 400,000, half a million or a million people who are just waiting to come to Serbia are not correct, because they have no desire to be in Serbia,” said Vucic. He reiterated that “Serbia respects these people” and that “cataclysmic scenarios are not realistic” but added that “many things can never be ruled out” and that “no one can guarantee how the agreement between the EU and Turkey will be implemented.” He pointed out that Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski submitted his resignation today “saying there are no guarantees for what will be happening in the region – but Serbia will certainly preserve peace and stability.” Vucic also thanked the EU commissioner, and his country, Cyprus, for the support provided as the EU was deciding to open the first chapters in its accession talks with Serbia. “I hope that in the coming period even more chapters will be opened and that we will quickly close some, too,” Vucic said, thanking Cyprus “for the tremendous support provided on the European road.” “We want to belong to the European family of nations. I am confident that with your help we can build a European democracy that will thrive more economically,” said the prime minister. “Serbia is a key partner of the European Union. This is demonstrated by the opening of the first chapters of the accession negotiations last December. Serbia is also a key partner in managing the refugee crisis. This is not a national crisis – not just a European one – it is a global crisis,” said Christos Stylianides, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on a joint press conference with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. “We stand with our key partners in Serbia,” Stylianides said, adding that the EU will provide financial assistance to the country to enable it to do its part of the work in the refugee crisis. He said that the meeting with Vucic addressed four main issues: the way Serbia is managing the crisis – for which he also thanked the Serbian leadership – and the EU’s commitment to support Serbia in this, humanitarian aid and finding a solution to the refugee crisis, as well as Serbia’s participation in EU civil protection mechanisms. “Serbia is doing an admirable job under challenging circumstances,” Stylianides stressed.

Ruling party official: We’ll help PM make decision (Danas)

President of the SNS Executive Board Radomir Nikolic says he will support party leader and PM Aleksandar Vucic in his decision on calling early elections. According to Nikolic – who is the mayor of Kragujevac and the son of Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic – only early elections can solve “the difficult situation and an attempt to artificially polarize society.” Speaking for Belgrade-based Danas newspaper ahead of the January 17 meeting of the SNS main board, Nikolic said he will propose to the SNS branch in Kragujevac to adopt conclusions “that will help Vucic decide on early elections.” “The tactic of ‘strangling’ our people one by one is continuing. In the last months almost all media with foreign ownership structure have been taking part in it, all the tabloids controlled by domestic tycoons, the self-proclaimed independent intellectuals, and a whole armada of known and unknown NGOs,” he remarked. The SNS main board should authorize Vucic to make a decision on whether to call early parliamentary elections before the SNS assembly meets on February 13.

McAllister: Stability through integration, cooperation (Tanjug)

Political and economic cooperation in the region is a good way to tackle all kinds of challenges, including security ones, says European Parliament’s (EP) rapporteur on Serbia David McAllister. Speaking about the political and security situations in the Western Balkans, McAllister said that the countries in the region were geographically surrounded by EU member-states and the Union’s approach towards the region was characterized by “stabilization through integration.” He said that one of the “political categories for Serbia’s accession process” in the EP resolution on Serbia he had drafted was regional cooperation. “It helps the region address shared challenges such as energy shortages, pollution, transport infrastructure and cross-border criminal activities,” McAllister told Tanjug ahead of the EP debate on his draft resolution on Serbia in Strasbourg on February 1-2.

Kosovo to be on agenda of CoE assembly (Tanjug)

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will discuss the human rights situation in Kosovo and its role in Kosovo. This will take place during the regular winter session, to be held January 25-29. PACE Rapporteur for Kosovo Agustin Conde is due to present to the representatives of 47 member-states his first report on the observance of standards of the Council of Europe (CoE). The Spanish member of PACE was in Kosovo last October when he spoke with Kosovo officials. PACE deputies will also discuss the migrant crisis that has shaken Europe and international terrorism, and will elect a new president of the assembly, whose mandate will last one year. PACE will discuss the current situation in Azerbaijan, as well as the request of Jordan to gain observer status in the pan-European organization. CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland will present his annual report to the assembly.

REGIONAL PRESS

Citizens – not political elite – will decide on B&H’s NATO membership (Oslobodjenje)

Citizens will decide on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (B&H) possible membership in the NATO alliance, not the political elite, reiterated Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska (RS). “The people will decide whether they want this place to be integrated into NATO with Serbia outside and whether they want a border on the Drina. Whatever will be their decision will be mine as well,” said Dodik after a Christmas reception organized today by the commander and units of the B&H Armed Forces in the Kozara barracks in Banja Luka. Dodik added that peace and stability in RS, B&H and the region is a “holy goal” around which everyone must be gathered. He believes that RS must remain a visible component of the B&H Armed Forces such as is provided by the laws that regulate this field. “It is important that RS remain as a state in its framework, that it strengthens its autonomy and offers immeasurable contributions to the stabilization of the situation in B&H,” the entity president said, noting that the constitution is the key issue of relations in B&H in the future.

He added also that the Dayton Accord must be “brought into balance and time to come must be dedicated to it.”

Gruevski after the temporary withdrawal: We will great victory with you at the next election (MNA)

Our country is too long wedged in political crisis. Last summer the 4 major political parties together with the mediators from the international community signed agreement to overcome the crisis said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski at today’s addressing to the public. “ I can’t stress enough how important it is to leave our problems behind us, so that the people and the country can continue to move forward, and we can return to opening new jobs, building our schools and our infrastructure, roads, hospitals, keeping up agriculture subsidies, increasing our salaries and retirement incomes, and continuing the strong growth of our economy. All the parties signed an agreement that needs to resolve and end the crisis. We made numerous compromises. We were even criticized that we have compromised too much and were too lenient in the talks. We did that fully aware and mindful of the welfare of the state”, said Gruevski. The Prime Minister said that the VMRO-DPMNE as party fully meet its obligations under the contract. SDSM won two ministers with portfolio and three additional deputy ministers, it was chosen Special Public Prosecutor with full operating conditions, it was selected composition of the SEC where opposition has dominance, Secretary and President from its ranks. The Electoral Code is amended in accordance with the requirements of the opposition etc. “The elections must be scheduled for 24 of April. Now is the time to fulfill this obligation. Unfortunately, recent statements by SDSM cast shadow over this part of the Agreement. This is clear pitfall to hold our country hostage, keep it in crisis, conflict and to dispute the right of the people to select people who thought he should lead the country. I am against this and against this braking holding the country as hostage”, said the Prime Minister. In this regard, the fulfillment of all obligations under the agreement, Gruevski announced that tomorrow morning would submit his resignation to the President of Parliament. “The Agreement also includes temporary withdrawal of the Prime Minister 100 days before the election. The 100 days before 24 of April are, the day on which it was agreed to hold elections and it has entered in the law. I stand behind that part of the Agreement. I want finally to leave all the uncertainty, to leave all the problems and conflicts behind us. In addition, I want our country to move forward and continue to grow strongly. Tomorrow morning, I will send my letter of resignation as President of the Government to the President of Parliament, which will be effective 100 days before the official date of elections”, Gruevski said. As the Prime Minister pointed, this resignation shows the strength of their conviction and belief in democracy. “The best victory over this dirty campaign against Macedonia, led by various methods over the past year and a half, are clean elections, which will not give any excuse anyone. Such were the elections when we won huge victory, victory will be with you at the next election. However, this time we go with these moves and a step further, convinced that what we do is for the good of the country and the people. Macedonia must go forward with the people we will struggle for it”, he added. Gruevski stressed that he and his party will follow the deal because they stand to citizens, rely on them, believe in the citizens. Gruevski stressed that at the next election will not waste time returning to the old political bickering and intrigues of the opposition, but they have big plans and serious platforms for the state economy, growth and development, to safeguard the way for the opening of new jobs and investment in all areas.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Vucic charm offensive appears to disarm Serbian media (BIRN)

The Serbian PM amply demonstrated his considerable PR skills at his annual press conference, while the media seemed unable to get straight answers to tough questions.

The Serbian Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, held his annual press conference on Thursday, during which the sharpness of his public relations skills and the apparent impotence of the Serbian media were clear for all to see. Held at Villa Bokeljka in Dedinje, Belgrade’s most elite neighborhood, the conference was split into two parts: a formal 45-minute question and answer session and an informal social mixer, with Vucic serving food and wine. “A good host needs to keep his guests well fed and not thirsty,” Vucic said, while conversing with the ‘top guns’ among Serbia’s media editors. Around 50 journalists from various TV and print media were crammed in a small room to put questions to the prime minister. With barely enough standing room one journalist, Svetlana Bozic Kraincanic from Radio Television Vojvodina, even fainted. Vucic immediately went to help her, cameras flashing all the while. Most questions put to Vucic were about whether early parliamentary elections will be held in Serbia and potential developments in Belgrade’s diplomatic relations with neighboring countries – notably Kosovo. As to elections, Vucic confirmed there might be an early vote but said he would only do so if there was no risk to Serbia’s fragile economic recovery. “That option (early elections) is possible and I’m looking forward to it since there are those who can’t wait to beat this ‘dictatorship’ and ‘censorship’,” Vucic said wryly with a confident smile on his face, referring to the weakness of the opposition parties. “But I still need to think it through since I don’t want to stop economic progress,” he added. Journalists were also interested in Russian and American influence in Serbia, kidnapped Serbs in Libya, relations in the region, negotiations with Kosovo, media freedom and whether the Defence Minister, Bratislav Gasic, will be sacked this month, as Vucic had recently announced. With just 45-minutes of questions, Vucic successfully ducked all unpleasant issues and was able to avoid any tough lines of questioning. Using his rhetorical skills to shift question topics to areas where the government claims to have scored many successes, Vucic made some of the journalist’s just look like nothing more than verbal punching bags. On the thorny topic of negotiations with Kosovo, Vucic told all assembled he is willing to talk, but expressed concerns about whether a positive outcome could be achieved. “We are ready for dialogue, but I’m not an optimist because of the political instability in Kosovo,” he said, adding that forming the Association of Serb Municipalities of Kosovo – which will grant the country’s ethnic Serb population greater local political autonomy – is the key condition for the continuation of negotiations. The establishment of Serb municipalities is fiercely rejected by opposition party politicians in Kosovo. One journalist asked for a response to European Council criticism that there is not enough media freedom in Serbia. Vucic dismissed the claims, saying the Serbian media has more freedom now than under the previous government. “It is much freer now than under the previous regime…and they are talking about censorship…If you look the media, most of the weekly papers are against me,” Vucic said. “But it is my job to convince all of them (the media) on my side.” Drawing the question and answer session to a close, Vucic invited all present to join him in the yard of the villa where he served up barbequed cevapi, a traditional Serbian dish of grilled mincemeat skinless sausages. “This is all on my account, not the taxpayers, do not worry,” Vucic said laughing. Later on, journalists moved back inside the villa where the prime minister switched to serving wine. Vucic, whose family has a tradition of winemaking, sipped Dibonis Di Shiraz red wine in longish glasses while some of Serbia’s major media editors described the nuances of different flavors. He was showing his charming side to the members of the ‘fifth estate’, bursting with anecdotes and self-confidence. “If elections happen, I will be in a campaign only for seven days,” Vucic said, amusing editors around him. The opportunity for “real journalism work”, which this annual conference is supposed to offer, seemed to be drowned in sophisticated wine with a smothering of French cheese and grilled mincemeat. All served up by a seemingly omnipotent prime minister.

Russian arms deliveries to Serbia “would restore balance” (Sputnik)

If Serbia’s plans to buy air defense systems and MiG-29s from Russia are successful, these arms “will restore the balance in the Balkans.”

According to Moscow-based Kommersant paper, quoted by Sputnik, this balance “could be undermined by Croatia’s plans to buy operational-tactical missiles MGM-140 ATACMS from the U.S.” – ones that have the range of 300 kilometers. “The Serbian Army believes that the emergence of such weapons in the Balkans changes the balance of power in the region. But, they saw no help from those who are so active in inviting them to join NATO. And they were forced to turn to us,” a Russian source has been quoted as saying. The Serbian request has already been sent to Russia. A special commission for military-technical cooperation between the two countries will discuss it by the end of January, something that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin also spoke about recently.  “We will study the list with the greatest care, we will consider it, and fulfill it in accordance with the abilities,” he said. According to Kommersant, the Serbian military interested primarily small and mid-range air defense systems – Buk and Tor, and Pantsir-S1, respectively.
The complex S-300 system has not been brought up during Rogozin’s meetings in Belgrade as the Serbian military budget does not allow for this type of acquisition, said the article. In addition, the Serbian Defense Ministry intends add several MiG-29 fighters to its Air Force fleet. The country currently has ten MiG-29s (including the six bought from Russia in 2013), eleven MiG-21s, as well as several dozen J-22 Orao (Eagle) aircraft. The paper’s sources argued that if Moscow and Belgrade agree on the necessary amount air defense systems and aircraft, they will be shipped from the existing resources of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, with subsequent modernization. This would be “a faster and cheaper” option for Serbia, writes the daily, adding that it would “allow for the preservation of the balance of power in the Balkan region.”

Rogozin criticizes Croatia and Montenegro during Serbia trip (EurActiv.com)

A four-day visit by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to Belgrade has focused on highly-sensitive issues such as arms, migration and NATO – and has been overshadowed by some undiplomatic language. Because of Serbia’s delicate diplomatic positioning between EU aspirations and its existent strong political ties with Russia, any visit from Moscow is always demanding – but this time the tensions have been more pronounced. Rogozin met with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic and President Tomislav Nikolic. The most contentious issue was further arms procurement from Russia, in the light of the announcement that Croatia – now a NATO member – had procured ballistic missiles. Dacic said that the step by Croatia disturbed the balance in the region because the missiles system to be acquired by Croatia “can reach Belgrade”. Vucic said he was “concerned” because some other countries in the region were in NATO whilst Serbia was militarily neutral.  There were no indications on the concrete demands of Serbia and on the price Serbia would have to pay. Vucic said Serbia presented its needs, and that it is now on the Russian side to review the possibility for offer.  On January 11, Rogozin gave Vucic a model of the surface-to-air missile system S-300 and said Russia would support Serbia as its ally in the region, pointing back to the NATO bombing campaign against Serbia in 1999 and saying that such events could not happen again with the S-300 system in place. Rogozin also said Montenegro would “regret” joining NATO. Rogozin also met an opposition figure from the extreme right, Vojislav Seselj, who is on trial at the Hague’s International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Another problematic issue during the visit were Rogozin’s comments on harmonization with the EU and migration crisis. According to Belgrade media, Rogozin warned Serbia on January 12 to be cautious when harmonizing its foreign policy with that of the EU, in order not to be in a situation in which “women are afraid to go out in the street” because of migrants – alluding to the incidents in Cologne on New Year’s Eve. “As for whether Serbia might experience a scenario that Rogozin has predicted – I think that he should worry about his own country and let us worry about ours,” Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic told reporters in Belgrade. But the anti-EU Democratic Party called on her to retract this statement. “Did it bother her that (Rogozin) said Serbia should be cautious about adjusting Serbia’s foreign policy to the EU’s and that Serbia was under threat from the uncontrolled migrant inflow? Did it bother her that Russia had clearly stated that for Serbia, there were no limits whatever regarding weapons deliveries?” asked the Democratic Party’s President Raskovic Ivic.

Hahn visits Macedonia to push through crisis deal (BIRN)

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said his Friday visit to Macedonia, after the PM tendered his resignation, marks a key deadline for the implementation of the agreement aimed at ending the political crisis.

Hahn said before his visit that he expects all the overdue issues from the EU-brokered political agreement – including electoral and media reforms – to be resolved during his stay in Skopje. “15 January is a key deadline of the political agreement, the implementation of which is important both for the government and the citizens of the country,” he said before heading to Macedonia for political talks with the four main political parties. “I expect that the outstanding elements of the political agreement will be resolved before or during my visit, allowing the election authorities to organize credible elections according to the agreed timetable,” he added. Hahn’s visit is expected to resolve the dilemma about whether the snap polls, set for April 24, will need to be postponed or not.
In December, speculation multiplied about a possible postponement for one or even several months because of the unfulfilled tasks from the crisis accord that was agreed between government and opposition last summer. One of the obstacles was removed just before Hahn’s visit.

Late on Thursday, embattled Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski confirmed in a TV address that he is tendering his resignation in line with the deal agreed last summer. However, Gruevski conditioned his resignation on the elections being held in April. It was agreed in the EU-brokered deal that Gruevski will step down 100 days before the polls and allow his ruling VMRO DPMNE party to nominate an interim prime minister by January 15 as an additional guarantee that he does not interfere in the elections. The central committee of VMRO DPMNE decided on Thursday night to nominate the party’s secretary general Emil Dimitriev as Prime Minister for the interim government that should be in charge until the elections. Opposition Social Democrats leader Zoran Zaev said that this represented progress but not a conclusion. “This is not the end. This is the beginning of the end of the criminal, corrupt, family [run] and non-democratic government,” Zaev said on Thursday evening in his response to Gruevski’s resignation announcement. Zaev previously told BIRN that preparations are not yet complete for free and fair early elections in April, pinpointing media and electoral reforms as key tasks to be resolved before the country is ready to hold normal polls. Meanwhile the EU mediator in the talks between the government and the opposition aimed at implementing the crisis agreement, Peter Vanhoutte, summoned the political parties to renewed talks on Thursday.  “The meetings of the Political Working Group will continue until agreement is reached,” Vanhoutte told media. He said agreements still needed to be struck on the issue of media reform “as well as regarding the rule-book for the methodology for running and updating of the voters’ registry and the rule-book for the methodology for full access, changing and deleting data from the voters’ registry and the procedure for conducting field checks to update the registry”. The political crisis escalated in February last year, when opposition leader Zoran Zaev started releasing batches of covertly recorded tapes, claiming they showed that Gruevski was behind the illegal surveillance of some 20,000 people, including ministers. Zaev insisted that the tapes contain incriminating evidence against many senior officials, including proof of high-level corruption, the government grip’s on the judiciary, prosecution, businesses and media, politically-motivated arrests and jailing, electoral violations and even an attempted cover-up of a murder of a young man by a police officer. Gruevski, who has held power since 2006, insists the tapes were “fabricated” by unnamed foreign intelligence services and given to the opposition to destabilize the country. The EU-brokered crisis agreement last summer was designed to end the standoff. Friday’s talks between the government and the opposition, which will be held in Hahn’s presence, are expected to go on until late in the night.

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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.