LOCAL PRESS

Dodik in Belgrade: RS will give its consent to sign SAA (RTS/Beta/Tanjug)

President of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik confirmed in Belgrade that “conditions have been met” for this entity to waive the blockade of B&H signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. Dodik gave this statement following his meeting with the Serbian prime minister designate Aleksandar Vucic, on which occasion Vucic has suggested to him that he should take this kind of stand. Vucic also mediated in Dodik’s meeting with the German Minister of Agriculture Christian Schmidt, who spoke with Dodik about this issue. Dodik said that he was grateful to Vucic for organising a meeting with Schmidt, and that they spoke about the manners for “compensating the losses that B-H would suffer for signing SAA”. RS representatives have never before agreed to support signing of an adapted text of SAA, stating that it would cause multimillion damages to farmers in RS before all. Vucic said that the final decision about this issue will be under the jurisdiction of RS, but that the reason why he suggested that the agreement should be signed was to show the “determination for EU integration by the Serb people from the other side of the river Drina”. “Even when we don’t see or hear from each other, we know what our legal liabilities are. Dodik knows this too, and I believe it is a good thing and of great credibility to know a man in the German government”, said Vucic and added that it is of great significance for the present and the future of RS.

Miscevic: Changing strategic documents next step for Serbia (Beta)

Serbian chief negotiator in talks with the EU Tanja Miscevic said that the EU’s new Global Strategy recognized enlargement as an important segment of the EU’s functioning and that Serbia would now work on changes to its strategic documents. “The strategy is based on European values and recognizes small and medium states and enlargement as an important segment of the EU’s functioning,” Miscevic said on the margins of a conference called The EU’s Global Foreign and Security Policy Strategy and the Western Balkans. Miscevic said that a special aide on the Strategy of the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Nathalie Tocci, had insisted on the very strong, credible conditioning of candidate states as an element of developing relations. “That means a kind of obligation for us, especially in the areas of foreign and security policy,” Miscevic said. Given that the Strategy defines some new challenges and threats, especially hybrid challenges and the connection of foreign and interior security, Miscevic said that Serbia’s next step was to review changes to its strategic documents – its Defense Strategy and National Security Strategy.

Stefanovic: Serbia must not be a country which migrants would pour into without limits (Beta)

Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic stated that between 600 and 700 migrants entered Serbia daily, but that it could not become a collective shelter for migrants, or a country which they would pour into without limitations. According to the statement of the Interior Ministry,

Stefanovic said after the meeting with the defense and interior ministers of Hungary and Austria near the Horgos border crossing, that the protection of the state border was one of the most important aspects of defense against illegal migrations. “Serbia cannot solve the problem of illegal migrations by itself. We cannot be a country which migrants would pour into without limitations and become a sort of collective shelter, with those in the migration flow, after arriving in Serbia, being unable to move northwards, or with Serbia being unable to send them eastwards or southwards in the readmission process. That is unacceptable for Serbia,” the Minister stated. According to Stefanovic, the number of migrants entering Serbia has increased, but it is still far from the numbers we had during 2015.

Joksic: About 3,000 migrants currently in Serbia (Politika/Tanjug)

Head of Office for Asylum of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) Emilija Joksic said on Thursday that about 3,000 migrants are currently in Serbia and that about 30 of them leave the country on a daily basis, via regular roads. At the session of the parliamentary board for labour, social issues, social inclusion and reduction of poverty, she said that MUP strengthened its police force and border protection, especially along the borderlines with Bulgaria and Macedonia.

“Police forces and border protection are strengthened, permanent control and security points are formed, and deeper territory has been covered with an increased number of police officers. A group for prevention of irregular migration flows has also been formed, and its basic tasks will be to monitor, analyze and discuss all activities with regard to irregular migration flows”, said Joksic. State Secretary in the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Issues Nenad Ivanisevic said on Wednesday that approximately 2,000 migrants were at the territory of Serbia at that moment.

Odalovic: So far no trace of existence of mass grave in Pristina (Tanjug)

So far no traces of remains of human bodies was found on the investigated location near the Orthodox Church in Pristina, Head of the Serbian government’s Commission for Missing Persons Veljko Odalovic confirmed for Tanjug. “Four ten-meter long trenches were done and nothing was found. Today we finished three and almost finished the fourth one and nothing was found”, Odalovic emphasized. Prosecutor in the case Elez Blakaj said that the excavation started at the order of special prosecutor about the mass grave site and that the works would last as much as necessary. Chairman of the Commission for Missing Persons of Kosovo Government Prenk Gjetaj said that it was preliminary prescribed that works should last three days. Forensic teams from Belgrade, Pristina and EULEX Mission are present at the excavation. The search of the terrain around the Orthodox Church started on Wednesday based on suspicion that mass grave site was located there.

REGIONAL PRESS

Izetbegovic: Decision of RS authorities is expected (Dnevni avaz)

B&H Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic told Dnevni avaz that decision of the RS authorities to support adaptation of the SAA and to unblock European road of B&H was expected. He confirmed that the Presidency will hold a phone session today and that this stance of the RS will get support. Izetbegovic already talked to Serb member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic, who expects to receive a clear stance of Dodik and the RS authorities, so that this matter can be solved today already. According to Izetbegovic, Dodik’s decision did not come suddenly and it is clear that visit by German Minister for Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt is behind it. “That is the background of the whole story, because after Schmidt’s visit and efforts by Chancellor Angela Merkel to help B&H all this in Belgrade has followed,” Izetbegovic said, repeating that such development of events was expected. He claims that solution emerged at the very end of the visit of B&H Presidency members to Berlin where they met Chancellor Merkel. According to Izetbegovic, he was the one who asked Merkel if she is ready to help B&H to overcome this issue, which is the point where everything started. Inset ‘We were ready not to take loan from IMF’ – B&H Presidency Chairman also said that SDA was even ready not to take funds from the IMF after the RS’ decision to block the EU road of B&H. “SDA made such decision for the first time to make, let’s say, a problem,” Izetbegovic noted, adding that it was all aimed to wake up the authorities in the RS.

Ivanic: We cannot expect Germany to cover all damages in RS; Ideal scenario would be to adapt SAA and adopt Coordination Mechanism with IMF arrangement (Dnevni avaz)

Asked to comment an announcement of RS President Milorad Dodik to unblock the adaptation process of the SAA, Mladen Ivanic stated: “Germany cannot cover the damages in the RS. Germany is bilaterally willing to assist and we should be very grateful for that. Thesis that Germany should cover for all the damages caused by signing of the SAA is arrogant at best. We cannot impose conditions on Germany. I cannot say the amount of assistance Germany is going to offer, but I know it will doubtlessly help us.” Ivanic also commented the arrangement with the IMF and stated that there is a political battle happening with the IMF. “Political parties in Sarajevo feel they can make do without the IMF. The need for additional financing is most certainly bigger in the RS. It would be good for peace and stability to reach an agreement with the IMF, and it would also be good to finally resolve the Coordination Mechanism, and to adopt the SAA with financial support. That would be an ideal scenario,” said Ivanic.

Covic: Such outcome was expected (Dnevni avaz)

Commenting decision by RS President Milorad Dodik to accept adaptation of the SAA, Croat member of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic said that he recently talked to Dodik and that he expected such outcome. “I welcome that, and I see no single reason why tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we would not hold session of the Presidency with Mr. (BiH Presidency member Mladen) Ivanic, even a phone session, because we prepared everything and we should formalize what has remained, so we can send a positive message to Mrs. (German Chancellor) Angela Merkel, who delighted us with her reception and who stood behind the project of BIH in the European Union”, said Covic,

Brand: Now we have big expectations from B&H (Dnevni avaz)

Bundestag member Michael Brand (CDU) told Dnevni avaz, asked to comment decision by RS President Milorad Dodik to accept adaptation of the SAA, that he informed German Minister of Food and Agriculture Christian Schmidt about this new development and that this was accepted as exceptionally good news. “German Chancellor stood up for B&H these days. Minister Schmidt’s talks in Sarajevo tell that we are on your side. Now we really do have big expectations from responsible ones in B&H”, said Brand, adding that this is a message of the German government’s members. He also said that blockades must end now. Brand further noted that Germany is known for its reliability and that politicians in B&H must demonstrate their reliability now. He also called on politicians in B&H to advocate interests of people and not their own interests.

Kovac: Serbia won’t be able to join EU without changing its war crimes law (Hina)

Serbia will not be able to join the European Union without changing its law on regional jurisdiction over war crimes, Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miro Kovac reiterated on Thursday, commenting on the statement by Serbian war crimes prosecutor Milan Petrovic that Serbia would not scrap that law. Speaking in an interview with Radio Free Europe on Thursday, Petrovic said that Serbia would not repeal the law and would continue to apply it, adding that there were war crimes cases involving Croatian citizens, including war veterans, as suspects. “I do not understand such statements and I do not know why they are being made,” Kovac said in a comment on Petrovic’s statement, adding that “the criteria and standards are clear” and that he was confident that they would be met.

Kovac is travelling to Serbia on Friday as the Croatian president’s envoy to attend the 26th anniversary since the founding of the Democratic League of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV), where he is due to meet with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. “I will make it clear to Mr Dacic that we want a European future, so standards must also be European. That means that Serbia will not be able to have such a law on war crimes,” Kovac said. “It will be my pleasure to express my support for the Croats in Vojvodina, who can finally enjoy all their minority rights and have a guaranteed seat in the National Assembly,” Kovac said.

Montenegrin government to Zaharova: A step too far (CDM)

Harsh words again between Moscow and Podgorica. After public representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Marija Zaharova said that the responsibility for Montenegro’s anti-Russian direction is within the leadership in Podgorica, Prime Minister said that he does not wish to break good relations with Russia, but that Montenegro will decide its own fate. “Moscow style of poor diplomacy confirms Prime Minister’s words,” they said in the government. Zaharova also said that Djukanovic is intentionally looking to break traditionally good relations of Moscow and Russia. “She speaks with no basis in truth. Montenegro is trying to improve its relations with Russia. Montenegro’s government acts upon its words, and now visa regime for Russian citizens increased from 30 to 90 days”, they said in the government. We will decide our NATO path, not Russia. “Whether we will reach our decision on a referendum, it is up to us, not Russia,” they said in the government.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Bosnia’s Segregated Schools Perpetuate Ethnic Divisions (BIRN, by Rodolfo Toe, 15 July 2016)

Dozens of Bosnian secondary schools are still segregated according to pupils’ ethnicity – perpetuating divisions within society but benefiting ethnically-based political parties that seek to exploit the system.

The principle of ‘two schools under one roof’ – separating Bosnian pupils into different classes in the same school building on the basis of their ethnicity – has caused controversy again this week.

Bosnian students have the right to be educated according to their ‘national’ (ie. ethnic) curriculum – which means they study in their own language (Bosnian, Serbian or Croatian) and several subjects are taught differently according to their ethnicity, such as religion and history. This week the local assembly in the Central Bosnia Canton decided to create a separate secondary school with a Bosnian educational programme for pupils from two secondary schools in Jajce currently attended by children from all three main ethnic groups (Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs). Up until now, Bosniak students at the two local secondary schools could only study according to the Croat national curriculum, even though they had the legal right to study the Bosnian language and the Islamic religion, local media reported. Pupils were also receiving report cards marked with the coat of arms of the unrecognised wartime Croat statelet of Herzeg-Bosna, a nationalist symbol which has been declared illegal. According to the Central Bosnia Canton’s education minister, Katica Cerkez, the new school for Bosniak students will be set up using “existing resources”. This means that it will operate in the same building currently used by the Nikola Sop secondary school – and pupils who were attending the Nikola Sop school before will be now separated from children of other ethnicities, while remaining in the same building. “This was the only possible solution… creating a new legal entity under which students of Bosniak nationality will have the possibility to attend classes in the Bosnian language,” Elvedin Musanovic, a member of the cantonal assembly from the main Bosniak party, the Party of Democratic Action, SDA, told media. The proposal was mainly supported the SDA and from the Bosnian Croat party, the Croat Democratic Union, HDZBiH. But other assembly members – including those from the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina – were against it. “There were several other ways to solve this issue,” Social Democratic Party assembly member Nijaz Helez told BIRN. “We all live together in Jajce and there was no need to separate these students,” Helez added. The decision was also opposed by a number of pupils from both secondary schools, who staged a protest asking the authorities not to separate them along ethnic lines. “I now have some friends who are, for me, even better than my religion,” one pupil, Tarik Sehic, told regional television station N1. “We respect each other and we don’t have any problem,” he said.

Different timetables, no interaction

The phenomenon of ‘two schools under one roof’ is still widespread in the country, especially in some areas of the Bosniak- and Croat-dominated Federation political entity – despite a ruling by the Federation Constitutional Court that the practice is discriminatory. According to Aida Becirovic, the Bosnia country chief of Schuler Helfen Leben, a German youth aid organisation, told BIRN that there are currently around 52 secondary schools in the country that operate under the principle. They are mostly concentrated in central Bosnia and in the south of the country, in towns like Mostar or Stolac. “Usually, the two schools have different timetables, occupy different parts of the building,” Becirovic explained. “Sometimes they can have different entrances for students depending on their nationality, and breaks are organised so that they cannot interact,” she added. Bosnia doesn’t currently have a unified national educational programme, nor a state education ministry; while most of the authority on education is held by the entities, and in the Federation, by individual cantons. The practice of having two schools under one roof started after the 1992-95 conflict as a way to ensure the rights of minorities and post-war returnees, according to the head of the OSCE in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jonathan Moore. “Immediately after the war, what happened is that there was a school in one place, but a different community wouldn’t even go to that school, using restaurants or private homes for their classes,” Moore told BIRN. The divided schools were intended as “an interim step, with the hope of bringing kids [from different communities] at least in the same building”, he added. Over the years, however, what was designed as a temporary compromise became a permanent practice. Although different ethnic education programs exist in several European countries, in Bosnia, where institutions are designed to reflect the principle of the equality of the three ‘constitutive peoples’ (Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats), ‘two schools under one roof’ has become one of the symbols of the separation of the general public along ethnic lines. In 2014, the Federation Constitutional Court ruled that the system was unconstitutional because it represented a form of segregation and discrimination. However, two years afterwards, the ruling is still being disregarded, as lower levels of government refuse to comply with the court’s decision.

“It is just unfortunately another case of a constitutional ruling that has been ignored… there are hundreds of court decisions which have not been implemented,” Moore explained.

Pupils as patronage tools

The main factor which so far impeded any changes to the system is the power that political parties exercise on Bosnian society and their influence on the educational system, which allows them to use children’s schooling as a tool to extend their patronage networks. “When you have two schools instead of one, you have more jobs you can hand to your own ethnic group or party members… When you have more schools, it costs more money, but as long as they provide jobs for people connected to political parties, than nobody cares about it,” Moore said. “Parents are also the victims of political pressure… They express their frustration privately, but publicly they are very reluctant,” he added. Moore argued that combining school which are now separated would not mean imposing the same curriculum on all pupils, but would save money and ensure better educational services. Becirovic agreed that maintaining a segregated educational system benefited the country’s political élite – and had the knock-on effect of perpetuating ethnic divisions within society after pupils leave school. “This is an optimal situation for Bosnian political parties, because they can separate young people and manipulate them, convincing them to fear other communities,” she said.