LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Western Balkans should be connected by transport network (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic received European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc, highlighting the significance of transport projects for the development of Serbia and noting a commitment to establishing cooperation aimed at connecting the entire Western Balkans through a transport network. Vucic said a motorway connecting Nis, Merdare, Pristina, Tirana and Durres was a priority, as were other projects agreed as part of the Berlin Process, the Serbian government press office said in a statement. Cooperation in building regional transport infrastructure is one of the ways Serbia can demonstrate its commitment to peace and stability in the region, Vucic said. Bulc said the agreed “connectivity agenda” was greatly important for bridging the development gap and supporting regional stability and progress.

Vucic: Serbia doing well but is far behind Nordic nations (Tanjug)

“We are thankful to Nordic investors for noticing Serbia’s progress in the economy and on the European path – Serbia is doing well but it is still far behind the Nordic countries. It will take many more generations to get closer to them at least,” Prime Minister Vucic told the Nordic Innovative Business in Serbia conference, held in the residence of the Ambassador of Finland. The fact that we and our Nordic partners are today talking about generic drugs, rather than bankruptcy, is a proof of Serbia’s progress, he said. He said he was pleased that foreign investors and the Ambassador of Finland could see that Serbs, too, were capable of producing results, noting that Serbia had consolidated its public finances, that it had no budget deficit at this time and that it was still moving up on the World Bank’s Doing Business list.

Djordjevic: Serbia to maintain a balanced defense policy (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)

Serbian Minister of Defense Zoran Djordjevic and the French ambassador to Serbia, Christine Moro, said on Sept. 5 that traditionally good and stable relations between the two states had resulted in excellent cooperation in the defense sector. The Serbian defense ministry quoted Djorjdevic as saying at the Belgrade meeting that Serbia was fully committed to safeguarding regional stability, also contributing to global safety by sending the Army of Serbia troops to multi-national operations. “Participation in multi-national operations is of great military and political importance. We are very grateful to France for the support it has been providing for the

Serbian troops in Gibuti, using the storage facilities in the French military base, and for the preparations, training and autonomous ship protection teams in the ATLANTA operation,” the Minister said. Djordjevic added that the Serbian Defense Ministry will maintain a balanced defense policy, contributing to the development of cooperation in the defense sector with all states and international organizations, in line with defined national interests. The Defense Ministry also said in the press release that another theme discussed by the Minister and the Ambassador was the attendance of Serbia’s Defense Minister at the upcoming multi-national operations conference in London. At this point, 322 Serbian troops are taking part in 10 multi-national operations led by the United Nations and the European Union.

Djordjevic, Bartman: Cooperation excellent (Tanjug/Beta)

Marking a decade of the establishment of a state partnership program between the Republic of Serbia and the Ohio National Guard, Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic on Monday spoke with Ohio National Guard Commander Major General Mark Bartman. Djordjevic and Bartman recapped the results of the ten-year partnership, expressing satisfaction with the excellent cooperation between the Serbian Army and the Ohio National Guard, the Serbian Defense Ministry said in a statement. They agreed the program was one of the best segments of US-Serbian bilateral military cooperation and also discussed ways of further cooperation as part of the program. “The past decade was very dynamic, marked by positive results of mutual interest,” Djordjevic noted. Bartman was also received by Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Army General Ljubisa Dikovic. Dikovic told reporters at army barracks Banjica that the cooperation was carried out within the state partnership between the U.S. and Serbia, noting that members of the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Army had consistently implemented strategic goals under their respective remit. Dikovic also said that the visit of the Ohio National Guard’s delegation was an opportunity to further develop forms of cooperation which were important to both sides. “It is an excellent opportunity to review what we have been doing so far and to define future forms of cooperation which are important for both sides,” Dikovic noted.

Schwendiman chief prosecutor of Special Court for Kosovo (Tanjug/Politika)

American David Schwendiman has been appointed on Monday as chief prosecutor of the new Hague-based Special Court which is expected to try former members of the self-proclaimed Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) for war crimes allegedly committed from 1998 to 1999. The court, which will use international judges and prosecutors to apply Kosovo law, is notably looking at atrocities allegedly committed against ethnic Serbs by the guerrilla Kosovo Liberation Army during and after the conflict. Schwendiman was previously lead prosecutor of the European Union’s Special Investigative Task Force (SITF) on Kosovo, and was a war crimes prosecutor in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 2006 to 2009.

Drecun: We need to see whether the Special Court will apply highest international standards (Tanjug)

The Chairman of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun has stated that it is yet to be seen whether the Special Court for crimes committed by the KLA will be applying highest international standards and whether there will be privileged who will avoid justice, as the case was in The Hague. “If there will be situations similar to those in The Hague Tribunal, then, naturally, there will be no highest international standards, unless someone thinks that what has been done in The Hague was highest standard,” said Drecun. Commenting the appointment of David Schwendiman as the chief prosecutor of the Special Court, Drecun says it was expected for the special investigative team to grow into a prosecution team. According to Drecun, his appointment is an important step for the Court to start working. He recalls that the Prosecution has announced that the first indictments might be issued during September and that underway are final technical preparations so the Court could start working.

Belgrade-Pristina expert dialogue between 7 and 9 September (Beta)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric will head the delegation that will take part in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija states that the Belgrade and Pristina delegations will be discussing between 7 and 9 September the implementation of the agreement on the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, cadaster, recognition of diplomas, freedom of movement and demarcation of northern and southern parts of Kosovska Mitrovica. The delegation from Belgrade will include representatives of the Office for Coordination Affairs in the negotiating process with interim self-administration institutions in Pristina, Interior and Education Ministries, the Serbian Geodetic Institute and the Agency for Restitution.

REGIONAL PRESS

Zvizdic starts two-day visit to Brussels, discusses B&H’s path to join EU with Hahn and Mogherini (TV1)

Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic started his official two-day visit to Brussels on Monday. Zvizdic held separate meetings with European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and they discussed B&H’s path to join the EU. Zvizdic and Hahn agreed that the EU General Affairs Council (GAC) should discuss B&H’s application for the EU membership at a session scheduled for 20 September. The reporter reminded that B&H managed to fulfill necessary conditions, namely to adopt the Coordination Mechanism for the EU matters and to adapt the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), meaning that it is up to the EU member states to ratify the SAA. Zvizdic said that the EU GAC is expected to recognize efforts of B&H authorities and to accept B&H’s application, after which the European Commission (EC) should be given a conclusion to start preparing the questionnaire for B&H. According to the reporter, the EU officials welcomed progress that B&H has made and they are content with how B&H is fulfilling the conditions from the Reform Agenda. Hahn claims that significant improvement can be noticed in different economic aspects, such as unemployment rate, tourism and export. “All these indicators tell us that the country is on a good path and I think we should do everything we can to maintain this trend,” Hahn stated. Zvizdic deems that the current political situation and disputes caused by the decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H (B&H CC) regarding the Day of the RS and the RS National Assembly’s decision to call a referendum on the Day of the RS will not affect B&H’s path to join the EU. The reporter reminded that the EU officials deem the referendum to be unnecessary and economic issues should be put in focus. Hahn warned that the decisions of the B&H CC must be respected, adding that this is an elementary issue which is important for the future EU integration in B&H. Zvizdic pointed out that B&H authorities managed to fulfill all conditions and make a step towards the EU despite difficult circumstances. Mogherini also welcomed visible progress made by B&H. Mogherini noted that the countries of the Western Balkans must strengthen their cooperation in order to improve security situation and prevent terrorism and all types of extremism.

Dodik: Referendum has greater legal power than Constitutional Court ruling (Glas Srpske)

Republika Srpaska (RS) President Milorad Dodik reacted on Monday to the statement of European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, saying that decisions of the B&H Constitutional Court (CC) are final and binding. “The decision to be taken by citizens of the RS, on the Day of the RS will have greater legal power than a ruling by the B&H Constitutional Court,” said Dodik. “The people are the strongest story. They are a stronger story than the Constitutional Court and the decision that the people will take at the referendum on the Day of the Republic will have greater legal power,” Dodik told Glas Srpske. “The referendum is to implement the ruling by the B&H Constitutional Court which said that parliament has to find a way to implement the decision that the court took. Our proposal was to do so by referendum,” he said.

RS Commission for implementation of referendum threatens criminal report due to B&H CEC’s refusal to deliver lists of voters (RTRS)

The Commission for Implementation of the Republika Srpska (RS) Day Referendum held its fourth regular session in Banja Luka on Monday. On this occasion, the referendum commission adopted instructions on the manner of implementing the referendum. The referendum commission also defined the addendum to its appeal related to B&H Central Election Commission (CEC)’s decision on voters’ lists and submitted it to the Appellate Division of the Court of B&H. The addendum to the appeal refers to the issue of, as RTRS reported, “CEC’s illegal decision” on rejecting the request for submission of voters’ lists for referendum in the RS. Specifically, the referendum commission supplemented the appeal because it found that disposition of part of the CEC’s decision on rejecting submission of voters’ lists for the referendum purpose does not match the decision that was adopted at CEC’s session. Namely, the referendum commission found that CEC’s explanation of the decision on rejecting submission of voters’ lists for the referendum is inconsistent with CEC’s actual decision. The Appellate Division of the Court of B&H is expected to respond to the appeal within three days, and the decision should determine whether the RS will obtain the election material i.e. voters’ lists for holding the referendum. Following the session, President of the referendum commission Sinisa Karan told reporters that the Appellate Division of the Court of B&H is asked to enable insight into the transcripts from CEC’s session at which the mentioned decision was adopted. Karan also did not exclude a possibility of filing a criminal report against some CEC members for abuse of office. Karan reiterated that there is no a single legal argument to ban the RS from obtaining the voters’ lists for the referendum purpose. Karan explained that addendum to the appeal refers to information that part of the decision related to request for voters’ lists does not match the actual decision passed by CEC, adding that it would be “an unbelievable illegality” if that information turns out to be true. “We ask that the Appellate Division of the Court of B&H takes the transcripts from the session of the CEC, at which our request (on voters’ lists) was rejected and declared unfounded, while discussing our appeal because we consider that part of the decision we officially received is inconsistent with the real decision passed at CEC’s session,” Karan underlined. According to Karan, CEC prohibits use of the polling stations for referendum purpose. Karan added that, according to CEC’s logics, using the polling stations for the referendum would disrupt the election process in B&H. Karan concluded that no political decisions or CC’s decisions can prevent holding of the referendum, adding that referendum can only be prevented by the RS National Assembly (RSNA). The RS-level referendum commission members also met with presidents of city and municipal referendum commissions, where local commissions were informed about “illogicalities” of the CEC. Local commissions were also provided with instructions for implementing the referendum.

RSNA Commission for Constitutional Affairs calls on B&H CC to reject Izetbegovic’s request for putting decision on RS Day referendum out of force (RTRS)

The Republika Srpska (RS) National Assembly (RSNA) Commission for Constitutional Affairs held a session in Banja Luka on Monday and defined a response for the B&H Constitutional Court (CC) with regard to the request submitted by B&H Presidency Chairman and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic. To remind, Izetbegovic requested that the RSNA’s decision on calling the RS Day referendum is put out of force with a temporary measure. RSNA Commission’s response reads that the CC should reject Izetbegovic’s request, as well as that the RSNA’s decision on calling the referendum does not violate the Constitution of B&H and that therefore there is no reason for passing a temporary measure on banning its implementation. The RSNA Commission assessed that Izetbegovic’s request should be declared intolerable, unacceptable and unfounded. RSNA Commission demanded that the emphasis is set on putting the decision on unconstitutionality of the RS Day, passed in November 2015, out of force. “Neither constitutional nor legal solutions, which the decision on calling the referendum in the RS is based on, violate the Constitution of B&H. Therefore, the submitted request is disputable in procedural-legal sense and there is no basis for problematizing holding of the referendum with it”, the Commission’s response reads. RSNA Commission considers that Izetbegovic’s request is unusual and vague in content. The Commission noted that it is unclear if Izetbegovic’s request refers to “assessment of constitutionality of the disputed act or request for launching constitutional-legal dispute”. RSNA Commission concluded that Izetbegovic’s request for passing the temporary measure concerning the referendum is political rather than legal act with obvious intention “to bring down legitimacy and legality of the RS as well as constitutional-legal order of B&H”.

Covic: Referendum on RS Day will not be obstacle to B&H’s path to join EU (TV1)

Croat member of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic said in Mostar on Monday that the announced referendum on the RS Day will not be an obstacle to B&H’s path to join the EU. Covic deems that the referendum is a part of the election campaign and it was given too much attention. Covic claims that B&H will be granted the EU candidate status in 2018. Covic stressed that the path to join the EU must be a priority for B&H and there should be no obstacles, whatsoever. According to Covic, the referendum will yield a decision about a holiday in one part of B&H. Covic warned that it is important to accept guidelines of the EU and respect the decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H. Covic reiterated that B&H’s path to join the EU will not be slowed down by the referendum. Covic pointed out that the referendum was given way too much attention and politicians should have focused on other more important issues. Covic expressed expectations that the EU will accept B&H’s application for the EU membership, adding that this will only be the start for B&H. Covic stated that B&H will surely receive positive response from the EU and preparation of the questionnaire for B&H will begin soon. Covic deems that B&H must use the EU candidate status to move towards the EU and to transform B&H. Covic claims that the questionnaire should motivate B&H to make even more progress. However, Covic argued that it will be difficult for B&H to make progress due its structure which includes the High Representative (HR) and the Peace Implementation Council (PIC). Covic dismissed allegations that work of the B&H Presidency has been blocked, saying he will meet with his coalition partners on Tuesday in order to discuss projects related to healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and veterans. Covic said that the B&H Presidency did not hold a session last month but not due to other processes in B&H or blockades. Covic pointed out that upcoming meeting of coalition partners and a session of the Council of Ministers of B&H will accelerate all processes in B&H. Covic noted that he has a task to impose solutions to implementation of the Sejdic-Finci ruling as soon as possible and to the issue of territorial reorganization of B&H.

Restrictive measures for Fahrudin Radoncic and others abolished (Klix)

The Court of B&H abolished all restrictive measures for the President of the Alliance for Better Future (SBB) and delegate in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of B&H Fahrudin Radoncic, confirmed Radoncic’s attorney Asim Crnalic. Crnalic said that restrictive measures were abolished on Friday but that the attorney team received the official notice from the Court of B&H. Furthermore, Crnalic explained that the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H opposed the abolition of restrictive measures at first, but that eventually they also gave their consent. Apart from Radoncic, restrictive measures were also abolished for Bakir Dautbasic and Bilsena Sahman. Restrictive measures referred to the prohibition of traveling, meeting certain persons, and issuance of new travel documents. The restrictive measure of prohibition of communicating with other people about the criminal procedure being led against him before the Court of B&H was abolished as well for Radoncic. He is accused of criminal offenses conspiracy to commit crime, obstruction of justice, and giving rewards or other kinds of benefits for trade of influence.

First day of Bled Forum focuses on growth of populism and nationalism in EU (Hina)

A safe future of young generations, the spreading of populism and nationalism in the European Union over Brexit and the migrant crisis were some of the topics of a leaders’ panel debate which on Monday, the first day of the Bled Forum, was also attended by Croatian President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic.Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Slovenian President Borut Pahor and the Speaker of the Canadian Senate George J. Furey also took part in the interesting debate on security challenges. Panel debate moderator Nik Gowing warned that last year nobody could have assumed what kind of consequences the migrant wave would have in Europe, recalling that in the meantime Britons decided in a referendum to leave the European Union. He also said that the nationalist rhetoric was growing stronger in Europe, as were political forces announcing new referenda. These events, as well as the new global economy which threatens to close down jobs for future generations are causing and uneasiness creating tensions that pose a threat to Europe and the world, he said. The refugee problem must still be treated and handled as a humanitarian problem, however with a huge dose of pragmatism and realism, Croatian President Grabar Kitarovic said. Allowing millions of refugees to settle in EU countries cannot be a long-term solution. The problem must be solved by creating better living conditions and making investments in the countries migrants are coming from, Grabar Kitarovic said during the debate. She said Croatia, as a transit country, had spent over EUR 20 million on migrants and refugees, adding that despite European efforts this issued had not been resolved. Grabar Kitarovic added that at the same time, Croatia had invested a million euros in Syria. Slovenian President Borut Pahor said the long-term plan should be the federalization of the European Union, but while waiting for that, the migrant crisis should be resolved, as it was changing relations of political powers in Europe and was threatening its survival.

Albanian Prime Minister Rama criticized big and influential European countries for distancing themselves from migrants, while expecting some of its members, such as Slovenia and Croatia to carry the weight and express solidarity. Moderator Gowing said another proof that nationalism was on the rise was the defeat of German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Sunday’s election in her own province and poor ratings of her CDU-CSU party, while at the same time the popularity of nationalistic right-wing parties is growing in Germany and in France. The 11th edition of the Bled summit continued later on Monday evening and will resume on Tuesday when several debates will be held about the economy, politics, security and other topics. Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec announced that Turkey’s Foreign Minister would arrive in Bled on Tuesday.

Possible expansion of new “troika” (Dan)

The coalition of Demos, SNP and URA Civic Movement is possible to be expanded until the alliance becomes official, Demos’ leader Miodrag Lekic said in his interview with Dan newspaper. “Since I am not supporter of the political behavior in which people passionately attack each other just to suddenly become friends, as far I am concerned, a proven ability to be serious and publicly decent remains the condition for cooperation,” said Lekic. He points out that the enlargement of the coalition is possible until the contract is signed. “If the coalition expands to include serious partners, of course, who share our common commitments, I will consider that as a positive fact. The decision on that can be brought together with the consensus,” he said. Lekic added that the coalition between Demos, SNP and URA was a result of a careful analysis and work. “These are the parties which keep their uniqueness, while being able to unite together towards the same goal – the necessary change of government and the creation of a democratic Montenegro based on the values of work, justice and individual responsibility,” Lekic said.

Serbs to prepare for demarcation with Kosovo (Pobjeda)

Politic analyst from Belgrade, Dusan Janjic, told Pobjeda that postponing the ratification of the demarcation agreement between Montenegro and Kosovo was temporary condition and that turmoil about that matter were not good for anyone. “I believe that it is about negotiations and a political settlement which Pristina and Belgrade obviously failed to reach through the Serb List and its MPs. I suppose this is about a list of promises and demands of Hashim Tachi and Isa Mustafa about sharing positions in the new administration, since Tachi left the government. On the other hand, there are some requirements coming from the Serb List,” he said. Janjic added that there were certain political demands, which were essentially set by the Office for Kosovo, but also the conditioning through the Serb List for guarantees about the establishing the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities. He explained that this situation was common in parliamentary life, particularly in the Balkans, adding that he expects the agreement would be reached, especially since it is in the interest of Serbia. “Also, when the issue related to Montenegro is ended, it will be easier for Serbia to prepare the public through the Serb List for what is coming – the demarcation between Serbia and Kosovo, which will be on the agenda soon. I believe Serbs and Serbia’s interests are stronger than the interest to be defiant towards the U.S.,” Janjic said.

Kacer: Montenegro in NATO by early spring of 2017 (Pobjeda)

The Montenegro-NATO accession protocol ratification process will be over by early spring next year Rastislav Kacer, Slovakian ambassador to Hungary and founder of the prestigious GLOBSEC security conference, said in his interview with Pobjeda newspaper. “I’d like it to be so, but it is said by an idealist in me. The realist says that the ratification process will likely be completed in early spring of 2017,” said Kacer. He also commented on the situation in the Balkans. “The hardest thing is to maintain the reform path and to be committed to national priorities. Slovakia has gone through all this and it takes a lot of sacrifice. The entire state administration must be committed to European objectives. On the other hand, the EU must keep its promise, support those candidate countries that close all negotiation chapters and are ready to become members. EU member states in Central Europe will not give up their job to remind EU and NATO members that they must never give up on enlargement. It will be crucial for the future of the EU, its competitiveness and longevity”, he said.

Balkans at risk of new conflicts, experts warn (Telegraf.mk)

Experts have warned that destabilization and new clashes are possible on Balkans in the following period. According to them, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) are critical areas, and the international factor will be key to cool the tensions. Almost every country has one open issue that can very easily escalate. For Kosovo and Montenegro it is the demarcation of the border, for Bosnia and Herzegovina it is the referendum in Republika Srpska (RS), and Serbia and Croatia have problematic relations. However, the situation in Kosovo seems most problematic. The Kosovo opposition led by the movement Self-Determination opposes the demarcation of the border with Montenegro because they believe dozens of hectares of arable land have been taken from them. On the other hand, Kosovo’s authorities are pressured by the EU and USA to not delay the demarcation. They also demand regulation of the relations with Serbia and uninterrupted functioning of the Community of Serb Municipalities, part of the Belgrade-Pristina agreement. On top of that, an Albanian terrorist group has been threatening with war if the deal for demarcation is not signed, which only intensifies the fears of new conflict. Tension has been rising in B&H as well. This former Yugoslav republic has the most complex political system which even its residents have a difficulty understanding. The relations between the Federation where Bosniaks and Croats live, and RS in which Serbs are dominant, have been vexed since the signing of the Dayton Agreement. RS is led by Milorad Dodik who is probably the last nationalist politician on the Balkans. On September 25 he plans to hold a referendum for Observance of the Day of RS, which until now was banned by authorities in Sarajevo. There is certain fear that this referendum is only to inquest the support for organizing a referendum to separate from B&H, which has been long announced. After several years of peaceful period, the relations between Serbia and Croatia have cooled again. It started with the migrant crisis, when Croatia closed its border with Serbia, and culminated with the statements of former Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic who insulted Serbians. Belgrade authorities to that answered that Croatians have not parted ways with their Ustasha past, and have demanded EU to condemn the rhetoric of Croatian politicians. Stojan Slaveski, professor of security in Macedonia, believes the main reason for the latest happenings is the fact the region is kept of the Euro-Atlantic integrations. “In the next period tensions and incidents are possible in the region, but I believe the situation is far from what was in the past. We will witness conflicts, religious clashes, radicalization, and refugee crisis. This all comes as a result of the Balkans not being integration in EU. The most problematic areas are Kosovo, Sandzak, and B&H,” Slaveski concluded.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Hungary’s PM warns that the level of migrants entering Europe via the Balkans is set to surge as ISIS boast hundreds of Islamists have arrived hidden among refugees (Daily Mail, by Anthony Joseph, 6 September 2016)

Hungary’s Prime Minister has warned that the level of migrants entering Europe through the Balkans is set to surge as ISIS claims hundreds of jihadists have arrived among refugees.

Flows of migrants seeking safety in Europe via the Balkans could swell to the levels seen last autumn, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, warning Brussels of conflicts to come if it sought to prevent the country from defending its borders. It comes on the same day that ISIS said Islamists have already arrived in Europe and are ready to attack. One ISIS supporter boasted over Telegram app and warned of more tragedies similar to those seen in France and Belgium in the past year, according to the Daily Express. The 28-year-old said: ‘There are many cells being set up. ‘That Islam will bring fear upon their land and each home. And many more attacks are carded. And on the way in many forms and fashions.’ Speaking after a meeting in Belgrade with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, Orban also said an upcoming referendum on whether to accept Europe-wide asylum quotas would strengthen his hand in upcoming legal disputes with Brussels. ‘The very moment when it became impossible to cross into Europe by sea, the Balkan route swelled up again, and we have no reason to believe the same won’t happen this year,’ Orban told reporters at a press conference, offering Serbia help to secure its borders. Last year, vast flows of people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa stretched authorities around the continent as they struggled to deal with Europe’s largest migrant flows since World War Two. Over the summer, many migrants have attempted the sea crossing from North Africa to countries such as Italy. But as autumn brings more unsettled seas, the land route through the Balkans may see a revival of activity. The migration crisis fuelled has support for anti-immigration and anti-EU populists in many countries. Orban, Hungary’s prime minister since 2010, has been at the forefront of opposition in Europe to the humanitarian position taken by Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel, who has said Europe has an obligation to take in refugees. ‘We don’t want to change the character of our country,’ Orban said. ‘We want to remain Hungarian, to keep our religious and ethnic composition. That view isn’t popular in Europe nowadays, at least among politicians.’ A clear referendum result would help to convey that message to Brussels, he said. ‘They want to force rules on member states that are in conflict with their interests, including Hungary’s. We are preparing for a conflict,’ he added. Vucic welcomed offers of Hungarian support to police its borders. An earlier agreement to deploy Hungarian police officers to Serbia’s border with Macedonia would be extended to the Bulgarian border, he said. ‘Every help in terms of technical assets and manpower is welcome,’ Vucic said.

Serbian ‘Spy’ Suspect Arrest Leaves Family Mystified (BIRN, by Sven Milekic, 6 September 2016)

The sister of Cedo Colovic, a former wartime fighter who has Croatian and Serbian citizenship and was arrested in Serbia for alleged espionage, said his family has been told nothing about his case.

The sister of 57-year-old Cedo Colovic, who was arrested in Serbia on Friday on suspicion of espionage, told BIRN that no official has informed the family about his situation and said that she was only getting information about him through the media. “We haven’t officially received anything nor has anyone called us, we only know what we see on TV,” said Colovic’s sister Anka Borkovic. “I was hoping that at least Cedo [Colovic] or his lawyer would maybe call us but no one is calling,” she continued. She said she had heard in the media that he had reached a settlement with the prosecutor’s office in Serbia – which has not been confirmed.

Borkovic denied that her brother was a spy

She said Colovic had once held some rank in a breakaway wartime rebel Serb statelet in Croatia, the Republic of Serbian Krajina, although she said was “not sure which one exactly”. He was wounded in the shoulder in 1993 and transferred to hospital in Belgrade for treatment then was granted disability status and given a state pension. Borkovic said that in 1999 he moved back to their native village of Tepljuh, near the town of Drnis in southern Croatia, to take care of their parents who lived there. After both parents died, he returned to Belgrade in 2004, after which he returned every year for around a month, to take care of the house and their vineyard. “He was planning to go there on Friday [when he was arrested] … I am in shock, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she said. Both the Serbian prosecutor’s office and the Higher Court in Belgrade declined to comment on the case to BIRN. Quoting anonymous sources, Serbian newspaper Blic claimed that Croatia had threatened to prosecute Colovic for war crimes allegedly committed in Croatia during the 1990s and forced him to work for the Croatian Security and Intelligence Agency, SOA. According to the same sources, he collected information and documentation and even recruited witnesses for the prosecution in Croatia of former officers of the Yugoslav People’s Army, JNA. Milica Kostic, legal programme director at the Humanitarian Law Centre from Belgrade – researching and documenting war crimes – told BIRN that Colovic is unknown to her organisation as a person who might be connected to war crimes. “He isn’t mentioned in any piece of evidence or testimony before the Hague Tribunal, there is no information about him on the Internet and there is no information on him in our database. This is very strange,” she said, raising her suspicions about him being connected to war crimes committed in Croatia. She also said that, for now, it is not even clear what he is accused of, because media reports that he “recruited witnesses or worked on indictments” are not criminal acts of espionage. Kostic is also puzzled about media reports that Colovic got hold of military documents, since, according to her, he could only have done so as an employee of a state institution. The only official confirmation over the weekend was that Colovic holds both Croatian and Serbian citizenship and was arrested on suspicion of espionage. He was remanded in custody for 30 days on Sunday. Serbian media reports have alleged that Colovic was spying on Serbia for Croatia, which Croatian Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic denied on Saturday, calling the whole issue “a provocation” by Belgrade. Relations between Croatia and Serbia have deteriorated sharply in recent months amid exchanges of inflammatory diplomatic protest notes and harsh statements from politicians on both sides.

Western Balkans Fund starts work in Tirana (ATA, 5 September 2016)

Western Balkan countries have built a new bridge of regional and cross-border cooperation through the establishment of the Western Balkan Fund, (WBF), based on the model and principles of the International Visegrad Fund. WBF is an international organization established by the governments of the Western Balkan countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia, the first as such to be headquartered in Tirana. The Fund’s main structures are: the Council of Foreign Ministers, the highest decision-making body, the Senior Council, the Secretariat and the Executive Director. The launch of the Western Balkan Fund with its seat in Tirana is another positive example of deepening the regional and cross-border cooperation among Western Balkan countries. WBF Director Executive Gjergj Murra told Albanian Telegraphic Agency that the Fund’s objective is to boost cooperation between member states, strengthen relations, advance integration into the European Union and promote common values among citizens, civil society and regional institutions, by providing a concrete approach at “people-to-people” level for member countries. According to Murra, “WBF will work to achieve such goals by supporting joint projects as the best way to bring people closer, share mutual experiences, to better know values, traditions and culture of the respective countries.” Murra went on saying that WBF will provide funding for small and medium enterprise projects aimed at enhancing regional and cross-border and strengthening regional cohesion in the areas of education, environmental protection, human rights, culture, cross-border exchanges and youth cooperation. The Western Balkans Fund is expected to announce its first call for projects by beginning of 2017.