LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Far less incidents after Brussels agreement (RTS/Tanjug)

We will live with the Kosovo Albanians for another thousand years so we need to cooperate for the benefit of both sides, to find the best possible political framework, without harming our national interests, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said following the meeting with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in Brussels. “We need to seek solutions for certain issues. No matter how unpopular this is in Serbia, we need to understand that we are living, if not with each other, then next to each other, and that we will be living for another thousand years,” Vucic told journalists in Brussels following the meeting with Mogherini. According to Vucic, the issue of the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities is the most difficult one and the essence of the Brussels agreement, but that it is not easy for the Albanians to implement this at present. Vucic disagreed with a journalist remark that the Brussels agreement is a “dead letter” even though, as he put it, it would be easy to say this having in mind that six out of fifteen points of the Brussels agreement refer to the Community, which has not yet been formed over obstacles in Pristina. “Bear in mind that the fact that we discussed, signed, even what hasn’t been implemented, that we have far less incidents between the Serbs and Albanians at an annual level than what we have in Belgrade between the Serbs. This goes to say that talks had given certain results, that people know that problems can be resolved only peacefully and through dialogue,” explained Vucic.

To the question on the allegations of Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhai that he expects one of the issues in the dialogue to be the demarcation of borders between Serbia and Kosovo, Vucic responded that he didn’t wish to interfere in statements of Pristina officials He stressed that their statements had nothing to with the EU approach and were intended for internal needs of the Albanian population in Kosovo. He added that the Belgrade and Pristina teams would soon meet in order to resolve some technical issues, such as the number of base stations for the mobile operator. Asked whether a high-level dialogue has been agreed, Vucic reiterated that they discussed how to achieve concrete issues, and that this wasn’t about meetings, but about resolving problems. Vucic said that he had discussed with Mogherini Chapter 35, i.e. the resumption of the dialogue with Pristina, how and in what way this has been formatted, but also to essentially yield better result that would imply stability of this part of the Balkans.

Kozarev: Serbia will not draw borders with Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)

Deputy Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dusan Kozarev has told the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina that demarcation cannot be conducted in places where there are no borders, and that they should not have hopes that Serbia would ever draw borders towards its southern province. “At a moment when the failed state-building project of Kosovo Albanians is on its last legs, Pristina’s fantasies are acquiring so far unseen proportions, while Enver Hoxhai has qualified himself over the past days as the winner in the competition for the most imaginative politician of the region,” Kozarev told Tanjug. He assessed that Hoxhai, following the publicly expressed wish to reform the United Nations Security Council, has gone a step forward and invented a border between Serbia and Kosovo, so now he would also like to conduct a demarcation of something that only exists in his head and the heads of those who are obsessed with similar delusions. “Instead of confusing their compatriots in Pristina with unrealistic expectations, representatives of the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina could finally come up with some constructive initiative so we can improve, through dialogue, the living standard of residents of Kosovo and Metohija and make another step towards creating an organized democratic society in our southern province,” said Kozarev.

Hahn: Law on jurisdiction not part of the process (Danas)

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on the occasion of Croatia’s request on amending the Law on jurisdiction, that this was not part of the EU acquis and that some European countries had similar legal regulations. He said that the law on jurisdiction is not part of the negotiating process. “This issue is not part of the agreement on Serbia’s EU accession,” said Hahn. Responding to the question on Croatia’s request for amending the Law on universal jurisdiction, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says that he had already responded to the Croatian representative. “I will not interfere in internal affairs in Croatia, since I would like more attention to be paid to cooperation and we are already undertaking measures for support to Croat minority representatives in accordance with the declaration that we have signed with Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic,” said Vucic. He pointed out that Croatia also has a similar law, with one worse provision, and that Serbia has the same law as Germany, Italy and Spain. “Thanks to this law, we have processed a series of criminals who perpetrated the crime in Srebrenica. We do not agree, but we do not have a problem to resolve differences in bilateral relations and I believe we have strength to overcome mutual disputes and find the best solution both for Serbia and Croatia,” said Vucic.

Asked about why Pristina has not yet adopted the Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities, Vucic said that Serbia also hasn’t done everything that was expected from it, but announced meeting with Pristina officials Isa Mustafa and Hashim Thaqi. “We agreed with Edi Rama to have a large business conference in Nis because we wish to have passable roads,” Vucic announced.

Joksimovic: Opening of chapters to bring concrete benefits (Tanjug)

The opening of Chapters 23 and 24 in Serbia’s EU accession talks is a signal that the country is on a stable path and recognized as a significant and serious EU membership candidate, Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic said. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Joksimovic noted that work on the rule of law-related chapters would bring concrete benefits to all Serbian citizens and new investments. Asked about the conditions Croatia has set for Serbia as part of the accession talks, she said Serbia was always ready for discussions and analyses, but that there was no place for bilateral matters in the negotiating process, which envisioned clear procedures and criteria. “A declaration recently signed by Serbia and Croatia at the highest level is exactly about solving bilateral issues at bilateral level, while European procedures have their rules. It is also a good message for the future,” Joksimovic said. In a world full of tension and turmoil, the EU’s opening of new chapters with Serbia is a signal the country is on a stable path, she said.

Selakovic: Opening of chapters means higher degree of certainty (RTS)

Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic says that the opening of chapters means higher degree of certainty in society as well as confirmation of the past work of the government and a large team of people. Selakovic says that the European Commission is confirming obligations that we have envisaged for ourselves. “Now we need to fulfill these obligations,” says Selakovic. He says the EC will supervise the implementation of benchmarks, but stresses that this doesn’t mean it will be resolving problems and old cases. “We need to this on our own,” he said.

Vulin: Serbia tightens security, aware of danger of growing refugee numbers (Beta)

Serbian Minister of Labor Aleksandar Vulin said that Serbia had decided to raise the national security level in order to protect its borders, aware of the danger that the number of refugees might grow and cause instability in Turkey, which is now home to a few million potential migrants. The minister said that Serbia would respect its legal obligations, and try to protect the borders it shares with Bulgaria and Macedonia, channeling the migration process only to the legal border crossings. “More than 80 percent of refugees are coming from states that were said to be refused by all countries, when an agreement was made between Turkey and the EU. At the same time, an agreement was reached at the EU level – and Serbia respects it – that all migrants coming from any other area than Macedonia will be considered illegal,” Vulin explained.

Bratu appointed new OMiK Head (Beta)

The Norwegian ambassador to Kosovo Ian Bratu has been appointed new head of the

OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK) on July 18, the organization confirmed. The OSCE spokesperson in Kosovo, Senad Sabovic, explained to Beta that Bratu would take over the new office, early in October. The Norwegian diplomat started his career at the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Affairs in the late 1970s, after which he joined the Norwegian foreign office. From 1990 to 1993, Bratu served as the Norwegian ambassador to Kuwait, and after that as a commercial counsellor at the Norwegian embassy in London. From 1996 to 1999, the career diplomat worked as an advisor for the Balkans, in charge of developing policies and coordinating Norway’s strategies and activities in the Western Balkans. During 1999 and 2000, Bratu was the acting director general for the Western Balkans at the Department for European Affairs, and from 2000 to 2006 he served as a deputy director general and head of the Department for the Western Balkans at the European Commission. He served a five-year diplomatic term as Norway’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2006 to 2011, and has represented his state in Kosovo and Albania until now.

REGIONAL PRESS

Hahn welcomes initialing of SAA (Oslobodjenje)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn welcomed the initialing of the adapted Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and B&H, noting that this should have happened a lot earlier. “This is a sign of the commitment of the B&H leadership to the EU integration path of their country. The Commission encourages B&H to continue delivering urgently, with EU support, on the necessary reforms towards the EU, in line with its citizens’ expectations,” said Hahn in a written statement.

Mogherini, Lajcak welcome initialing of SAA (TV1)

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini welcomed initialing of the adapted Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between B&H and the EU and underlined that it represents visible progress. Mogherini added that the EU will continue to assist B&H on its path towards the EU. This morning (Monday), we received good news from Sarajevo, where SAA was initialed. Clear progress of this country in integration process, is visible. We are welcoming this and we support further progress and we call on authorities to do that,” said Mogherini. She stressed that B&H authorities have more to do in order to have B&H’s application for membership, discussed. “It is necessary for B&H to fulfill few more conditions, so the EU Council could discuss application and discuss awarding of candidate status,” stressed Mogherini.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia Miroslav Lajcak also welcomed initialing of the adapted SAA and pointed out that he is actively working on B&H receiving the green light for a status of a candidate in September. “It is not impossible and I am trying to make it happen. But the agreement on the coordination mechanism has not been reached yet and that is why it is too early to say if B&H will get the status of the candidate,” he concluded.

Dodik: Initialing SAA a technical issue (RTRS)

RS President Milorad Dodik stated in Banja Luka on Monday evening that initialing of the adapted SAA is a technical issue. Dodik reiterated that the RS gave its consent for this agreement based on German government’s promise (for providing financial assistance to agricultural producers in dealing with possible losses caused by the adapted SAA). Dodik expects that all measures will be defined and that agreement with Germany, as well as with the European Commission (EC), will be reached for assisting the RS agriculture. Dodik underlined that it is particularly important that German government, primarily German Chancellor Angela Merkel, noticed problems with regard to accepting the SAA adaptation. “Now everyone accepted that the offer, which came from the Germans, is a good offer,” Dodik noted and stressed the need to help the agriculture. “Assistance of a powerful government, such as Germany’s, can absolutely be of benefit”, Dodik assessed. Dodik expressed his support for activities of RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic when it comes to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In this regard, Dodik said that the RS will not talk about the Coordination Mechanism on EU Matters in B&H as long as the IMF issue is not resolved. Dodik concluded that the RS will continue to be stable and to fulfill its obligations, as it has so far, regardless of outcome related to the arrangement with the IMF.

EU path of B&H also depends on Coordination Mechanism (BHT1)

Continuation of B&H’s EU path also depends on final solution to the Coordination Mechanism, which is being connected to the new loan arrangement with the IMF. While SDA deems that it is impossible to pass decisions by consensus of everyone, RS authorities deem that giving up on consensus leads to outvoting. B&H Presidency Chair Bakir Izetbegovic (SDA) said that request for the Coordination Mechanism is impossible, and expressed hope that it will be modified. RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic (SNSD) stated that when it comes to the Letter of Intent, all actors negotiated, gave consent and verified the Letter at B&H Fiscal Council, and added that the only thing that was left to do was signing it. She stressed that the Letter of Intent has nothing to do with the Coordination Mechanism, which is still subject of talks. Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) said he believes that Cvijanovic openly stated that she will not accept solving the Coordination Mechanism until the issue of IMF loan is resolved. “The policy of blackmails and blockades leads nowhere,” he stressed. “We do not accept conditioning,” Cvijanovic said. According to HDZ B&H, internal organization of B&H should be adjusted to the EU, for the sake of EU path of B&H. Nikola Lovrinovic (HDZ B&H) stated that Coordination Mechanism is a necessary tool, to monitor the implementation of the SAA. Reporter reminded about the absurd situation, in which the Coordination Mechanism was published in the Official Gazette, while the talks are still in progress.

Prime Minister meets with Veterans Associations about Serbia’s EU Negotiations (Vecernji List)

Croatian Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic, Foreign Minister Miro Kovac and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Tomo Medved met with representatives of associations of veterans of the Homeland War, reports Vecernji List. The theme of the meeting was the opening of Chapters 23 and 24 in accession negotiations between Serbia and the European Union. The representatives of veterans’ associations were informed about the positions of Croatia which will be expressed at the third meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference of the EU and Serbia at the ministerial level.

“At the time of the Intergovernmental Conference and the opening of negotiations on Chapters 23 and 24, Croatia wishes to take this opportunity to repeat its views that were an integral part of the compromise that led to the adoption of the EU Common Position for Chapters 23 and 24, thus enabling the continuation of Serbia’s accession process.

Without prejudice to other important aspects of the rule of law under these two chapters, Croatia believes that issues resulting from the war are crucial in this respect. These are: full cooperation with the ICTY, the de facto suspension of the legislation with which Serbia arbitrarily expanded its jurisdiction to prosecute war crimes in neighboring countries, and full implementation of legislative framework for the protection of minority rights, in accordance with national and international obligations. Ensuring the rights of victims of war and their access to justice and the judiciary, without discrimination, including the right to compensation for damages, is also an important indicator of an effective justice system and, together with cooperation in resolving the issue of missing persons, the essential element of lasting peace and reconciliation. Croatia strongly condemns recent statements by Serbian officials, especially those made by acting special war crimes prosecutor Milan Petrovic, which clearly show the reluctance of Serbia to take necessary steps to suspend and finally abolish the conflict of jurisdiction in war crimes cases. Such relativization of obligations arising from Chapter 23 calls into question Serbia’s readiness for meaningful negotiations in these two chapters, which are crucial to improving the rule of law. There will be no progress in Serbia’s accession negotiations without meeting the above conditions.

Furthermore, the resolution of all issues which are legacy of the war, with a constructive regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, remains an important political criterion.

Croatia will closely and carefully monitor the implementation of the benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24, as well as all other measures and obligations in the relevant negotiating chapters in the course of the accession process, focusing on areas that have already been recognized as issues of particular importance. Croatia remains committed to the ongoing expansion of the European Union, on the basis of fulfilling all the necessary criteria,” said the statement released by the government.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

EU advances on Serbia talks despite UK departure (EUObserver, by Andrew Rettman, 19 July 2016)

The decision to open two more “chapters” in Serbia accession talks on Monday (18 July) showed that EU enlargement policy is alive and well despite Brexit, the EU has said.

Speaking at a meeting with Serbian PM Aleksandr Vucic in Brussels on Monday (18 July), Slovak foreign minister Miroslav Lajcak said: “The UK might be on its way out, but there is strong support for enlargement in the EU. We want to maintain the credibility of the enlargement process and to make it tangible for those countries that are part of the process.” Lajcak, whose country chairs EU Council meetings for the next six months, added: “Once a candidate country delivers on the necessary commitments, the EU moves it forward.” The EU enlargement commissioner, Austria’s Johannes Hahn, said that when German and French leaders met counterparts from the Western Balkans in Paris last month they confirmed that EU expansion in the region was still their “strategic goal”. Monday’s meeting saw the opening of chapters 23 and 24 of the EU legal codex, on judiciary and fundamental rights, and on justice, freedom and security. The decision came after the opening of chapters 35 and 32 last December, on normalisation of relations with Kosovo and on financial controls on spending of EU funds.

Hahn said four more chapters could follow this year: on public procurement (chapter five), industry and enterprise (20), science and research (25), and education and culture (26).

“There should not be the slightest doubt about our strong commitment to welcoming Serbia in the EU family, where it belongs,” Hahn said. Vucic, the Serb PM, said the fact the UK, a leading supporter of EU expansion, was to leave the bloc changed nothing in terms of the EU’s attractiveness. He said the UK decision was based on “emotions, not [its] strategic path”.

He said that “people in Serbia know” that their country could not have achieved economic growth, attracted foreign investment, or overcome the damage caused by last year’s floods without EU support. He also said that Serbia was developing closer business ties with Albania, Croatia and Kosovo on the back of the EU process. “The type of society we want to belong to is an EU society and that’s it,” he said. Monday’s decision was made possible after Croatia lifted its veto on chapters 23 and 24. Its threat came amid complaints that Serbia was unwilling to cooperate with war crimes prosecutors in The Hague, had plans to prosecute alleged Croatian war crimes, and had not done enough to protect the rights of the Croatian minority in Serbia.

Croatia would “closely and carefully monitor” Serbia’s behaviour, the Zagreb government said on Monday after its PM, Tihomir Oreskovic, met war veterans at a protest against lifting the veto also on Monday. “That law [on Serbia’s jurisdiction over Croatian war crimes] will have to be changed as part of the European accession. We expect the Serbian top officials to voice a clear position on this,” Croatian foreign minister Miro Kovac said.

Brexit and its effect on EU enlargement in the Western Balkans (DW, 18 July 2016)

Bosnia has lifted a key blockage on its road to EU membership, with help from Berlin. But the Balkan country is facing other serious obstacles, says regional expert Alida Vracic.

The presidency of the ethnically divided Balkan country last week approved an updated Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. This was one of the main conditions required by the European Union in order to grant Bosnia membership candidate status. The adoption of the updated SAA had been opposed by representatives of Bosnia’s Serb Republic (Republika Srpska), who argued that it would adversely affect farmers. After Germany promised to help Bosnia ease the effects of the deal on farmers, the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, accepted the updated SAA.

DW: Germany, along with Great Britain, reinforced its engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was only after Berlin’s intervention that the Republika Srpska accepted the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union. What do you make of Germany’s renewed role in Bosnia?

Alida Vracic: Germany is the key decision maker for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also more widely for the region. From my point of view, there are no other alternatives. Of course, there are the influences that one can mention when it comes to the Balkans, such as Russia, Turkey, China or even Arab countries. But so far, according to surveys conducted in this region, the citizens (of Bosnia and other Balkan countries) still believe that the EU is the best option for them. This is why I don’t think we should worry about other influences very much, but focus on what can be done in these countries. Germany is very up-to-date with what is currently going on in Bosnia and each and every country in the region.

Politicians and experts in Bosnia and Herzegovina stated that Great Britain lacked credibility in its attempts to help the Balkan country on its road to the EU. To what extent has the British-German initiative in Bosnia been jeopardized by the result of the Brexit referendum? How will the Brexit affect European integration?

Under these circumstances, you can expect the UK to have a less dominant influence on Bosnia. So far, Britain has been extremely active with international aid and in political processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that could change. Thinking that the Brexit will not affect EU enlargement as a whole would be naive. We should also be aware of the lessons we have learned from EU enlargement: The question is whether EU countries are ready to accept new members. But that doesn’t mean that the countries of the Western Balkans should not have high aspirations: This is where they could bring an even more visionary approach to the EU.

Local analysts warn that the current Bosnian constitution is not ready for the European Union – and that international officials have deliberately closed their eyes to this problem. Could Bosnia and Herzegovina be part of the EU with the present constitution and its political class?

Under the current constitution, many things could have been done but have not because of a lack of political will. I wouldn’t say that the constitution is perfect. I think it should be replaced with a much better one that comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina itself – a genuine document that we all agree on (the country’s constitution is based on the Dayton Agreement from 1995 that ended the war in Bosnia). The current constitution serves as an excuse for not taking responsibility for decisions. On the other hand, I doubt that the current political leaders will take the country to the European Union. These people have been part of the establishment for many years now. I don’t see any new forces with fresh ideas and new visions for the country.

Alida Vracic from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin is an expert on the Western Balkans and EU enlargement policy. She has been the Executive Director of the “Populari” think tank in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo since 2007.