LOCAL PRESS

Pristina expects international dialing code as of 1 October (Politika)

Pristina and Belgrade have high expectations in the field of telecommunications during the new round of talks that will begin today. The Pristina authorities hope to receive finally, after three years, the international dialing code (+383) at the beginning of October. The Belgrade delegation expects Pristina to respect the international agreement and finally enable “Telekom Srbija” to legally operate in the province. The delegation headed by the Marko Djuric, considers that both sides need to respect the agreement on telecommunications that was reached in Brussels in September 2013, meaning that the authorities in Pristina would give permission to the Serbian “Telekom” to establish a daughter company in the province to which it will transfer this company’s property in Kosovo. Based on the agreement, this company should receive licenses for mobile and fixed telephony. At the last round of talks on telecommunications, the Kosovo authorities wanted to overwrite property of “Telekom Srbija” to the Kosovo telecommunications operator, after which it would rent Serbian equipment to Serbia. Belgrade cannot accept this, since it is not logical for “Telekom” to pay rent of its own property. Politika learns that if Belgrade would accept this blackmail, Pristina would request for this kind of model to be applied to other Serbian property in Kosovo and Metohija – “Trepca” mine, “Brezovica” ski-resort, “Gazivode” hydropower plant…The Office for Kosovo and Metohija doesn’t wish to speculate and notes that Kosovo can receive a dialing code only if this is requested by Serbia as a UN member state by Kosovo receiving a special dialing code as a geographical region within Serbia. Since the southern Serbian province is not an internationally recognized UN member state, it can only receive a dialing code if Serbia agrees with this. The annex of the Belgrade-Pristina agreement on telecommunications, which was signed on 25 August 2015, states that Kosovo will be mentioned in the technical annexes of the International Telecommunications Union (UN Agency for Telecommunications) bulletin as Kosovo with an asterisk and footnote: “This name is without prejudice to stands on status and is in accordance with UNSCR 1244 and the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the declaration of independence of Kosovo”.

The technical dialogue will resume today and continue on Wednesday, the Office announced in a statement. Discussions on an agreement on freedom of movement (vehicle license plates) and telecommunications are scheduled to be continued during the dialogue. Besides officials of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Office for Coordination of Affairs in the Process of Negotiation with the Provisional Institutions of Local Self-Government in Pristina, the Belgrade delegation will include officials of the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications and Telekom Srbija.

Serbs do not want a double team (Novosti)

The announcement of the Kosovo Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri that the authorities in Pristina will appoint a working group for drafting the Statute of the Community for Serb Municipalities (ZSO) is seen among the Kosovo Serbs as a new in a series of attempts to obstruct the formation of the ZSO. If some “parallel group” would be formed, the Serb Management Team for the formation of the ZSO will request protection from Brussels. According to earlier reached agreements, only the Management Team that was formed in 2013, whose composition was changed last week by including representatives of the southern part of the province, is the only one authorized to draft the Statute. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija tells Novosti that the “working group” is not mentioned in any agreements on the ZSO, adding: “We expect the Management Team to soon send a draft statute to Brussels for further harmonization.”

Beyani urges greater security for Kosovo and Metohija returnees (Tanjug)

Ensuring a sustainable return to Kosovo and Metohija calls for greater engagement on returnee safety and security, as well as on the internally displaced persons’ exercise of property rights, Chaloka Beyani, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), said Monday. Due to a lack of basic conditions for a sustainable return, the number of returnees in the province is still devastatingly low, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said during a meeting with Beyani, who confirmed there was a need to create conditions for permanent solutions for IDPs that included return and integration, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Beyani noted the significance of Serbia’s EU accession talks – in particular negotiation Chapter 23 – and the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue for solving the problem of internal displacement.

Kozarev presents Sunny Valley concept to UN official (Tanjug)

Deputy Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dusan Kozarev on Monday presented to Chaloka Beyani, UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, the concept of the Sunny Valley returnee settlement in Kosovo and Metohija and the obstacles to a greater sustainable return of IDPs. The concept solves many of these problems in a quality way, Kozarev said. “The rule of law, respect of human rights and a departure from policies aimed at widening the gap among people on national and religious grounds are the prerequisites for normalization and solving the problems of IDPs in Kosovo and Metohija,” he said. It has only been recently that the Serbs have become able to protect their property rights in local courts, but they are now faced with the fact that the police do not want to evict property usurpers, he said.

Dacic: Now they see who they wanted in UNESCO (RTS)

Commenting the arson attack on the church in Pristina, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that this has proven, for who knows which time, that this is a reflection of hatred towards the Serbian people and its holy shrines. “The so-called Kosovo authorities dug up every centimeter of ground around the church for week before this because they wanted to link the Serbian church to war crimes and when they failed they tried to destroy it by setting it on fire,” Dacic said.

Dacic warned that the people who destroy, burn and desecrate Serbian churches cannot be their guardians. “I presume that the countries who supported Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO see that now, I guess they see to who they wanted to entrust the protection of the Serbian heritage in Kosovo,” Dacic said. He said that Pristina today is the greatest example of ethnic cleansing of Serbians since just a few hundred are left of the 40,000 who lived there 20 years ago. “That puts paid to the lies that the Kosovo Albanians are spreading about alleged genocide over the Albanians and now they want to tear down the church and destroy any trace of Serbs in Pristina. That is an indicator of how right Serbia was when it opposed Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO,” Dacic said.

Unidentified perpetrators broke into the Temple of Christ the Savior Serbian Orthodox Church in the center of Pristina and set fire to the still unfinished building, Belgrade media said on Friday.

Raska-Prizren Bishop Teodosije said that the incident is the consequence of the refusal of the Kosovo authorities and police to give the church permanent security after it had been broken into and desecrated on several occasions.

Maric: ZSO Statute priority (RTS)

In this part of the negotiation process between Belgrade and Pristina the most important thing is the drafting of the Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) which should be adopted at the constitutive session, Serb Minister in the Kosovo government Ljubomir Maric told Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) on Saturday. He said that he received political support for that during a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. Maric did not want to speculate on deadlines but said that the negotiation process is starting with full political support. He said the most disputed issue is the agreement on freedom of movement. “We could hear contradictory statements about that. The European Union said that there is no agreement yet,” Maric said. He said an important segment is the agreement on demarcation in Kosovska Mitrovica and explained that the security of the population is the most important thing, adding that they are carefully watching developments.

Djordjevic meets Head of UN Office in Belgrade (Radio Belgrade/Tanjug)

Serbian Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic talked with the Head of the United Nations Office in Belgrade Simona-Mirela Miculescu about Serbia’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations and further cooperation. The topic of the meeting had also been the recently held Conference on UN peacekeeping operations in London attended by Djordjevic, the Defense Ministry announced. It was pointed out at the meeting that Serbia has been continuously improving since 2003 participation in peacekeeping operations both in terms of quality and quantity, and that with engagement in this sphere it contributes to preservation of international peace and security. The Serbian Defense Ministry and Army are presently participating with 332 members of the Serbian Army in seven UN peacekeeping operations and three EU peacekeeping operations, said Djordjevic, stressing that, considering the long tradition, quality, qualifications and possibilities, Serbia is devoting special attention to engagement of military-medical capacities in multinational operations. Serbia is persistent in the struggle for resolving conflicts, preservation of peace at the global level and attaches great significance to respect of the right to equality, equal participation and representation of women and men in all spheres of social life, said Djordjevic. This is also supported by the fact that more than 11 percent of women are taking part in multinational operations. When it comes to the resolution of the migrant crisis, even though Serbia is not a EU member, it seeks to act as a responsible member of the international community and offer an adequate response to the current crisis, assume its share of responsibility, said the Minister. He stressed that Serbia was ready and wished to be part of the solution within the European framework, but it primarily takes care of its own national interests and their protection. In that sense we have engaged joint forces composed of members of the Serbian Army and Interior Ministry who are securing 464 kilometers of the state border towards Bulgaria and Macedonia.

Morocco’s position on Kosovo to remain unchanged (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Tuesday received outgoing Moroccan Ambassador Abdellah Zegour, who noted that his country’s position of non-recognition of Kosovo would remain unchanged. Serbia is grateful to Morocco for its principled position and non-recognition of the so-called Republic of Kosovo and it itself respects the same principles in the many cases around the world, a statement released by the presidential press office quoted Nikolic as saying.

Zegour said Morocco’s position of non-recognition of Kosovo and opposing its UNESCO membership bid would not change. Nikolic and Zegour expressed satisfaction with an intensification of cooperation between the two countries. Nikolic said he believed Serbia and Morocco should do more to enhance economic cooperation.

Asylum seekers coming from Serbia have zero chance in EU (Tanjug/B92)

EU Delegation Deputy Head Oskar Benedikt says those coming to the EU from Serbia wishing to stay there have practically zero chance of succeeding. He pointed out that such persons will be sent back to Serbia one way or the other. “The question is in what way the authorities in Serbia are coping with the problem of returnees and how to provide them with a dignified life,” he told reporters during a break in the “Belgrade Dialogues” gathering, held at the Belgrade City Assembly. According to Benedikt, the EU is very focused on the problem of migration- while this should be viewed from two aspects: one is migration from those areas destroyed and devastated by war, while the second case is about asylum seekers from Serbia. The EU representative underlined that the EU supports Serbia with expertise in the area, and with funds allocated to help, with the most vulnerable group being the Roma, Tanjug has reported. “The EU has so far set aside 11.5 million and will in the future set aside another 20 million euros for this purpose,” said Benedikt.  He added he was talking about the problem of migrants returning to Serbia with Minister Vulin, Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic, and Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Vladimir Cucic. He stressed that it is necessary to provide a decent life, focus on education, housing and employment conditions in order to solve the problem of returnees. “We also expect the action plan in the context of Chapter 23, where we could work together, which is important for ensuring their more decent life,” Benedikt said.

REGIONAL PRESS

Inzko: We did not react, referendum in RS can be resolved within B&H (Dnevni avaz)

Dnevni avaz carries an interview with High Representative Valentin Inzko. Asked to explain why the international community has not taken concrete steps to prevent the announced referendum on Day of Republika Srpska (RS), Inzko said that there are ways to resolve this situation through legal processes and the existing constitutional framework of this country. “As you are aware, there are pending proceedings in front of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Constitutional Court initiated by members of state-level institutions and recently by Federation of B&H Parliament members, to assess the constitutionality of the RS National Assembly (RSNA) decision on the referendum and regarding interim measures. There is also a request for review of the Decision of the B&H Constitutional Court concerning the RS Law on Holidays submitted by the RSNA,” Inzko noted. He underlined that views of the international community on this issue are well known and clearly expressed, and called on the RS not to hold the referendum. Asked to comment his earlier statement that RS President Milorad Dodik is playing with fire by insisting on the referendum, and if the is ready to extinguish that fire if necessary, Inzko replied that he is keeping all options open with respect to his mandate. “As for my comment, how else one could interpret the open rejection of decisions of B&H Constitutional Court, which is an integral part of Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement and is a key to its implementation? If the Dayton Agreement is your ‘Bible’, as we have heard many times from leadership of the RS, then it needs to be respected in its entirety. On this issue, the Constitution is crystal clear: the decisions of the Constitutional Court are final and binding – period, and no referendum can change that fact,” Inzko underlined. Asked if he would react differently if the referendum was about secession of the RS, Inzko said that under the Dayton Peace Agreement, the constitution and international law, the entities do not have the right to secede. He emphasized that the international community would protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H, and that there will be no redrawing of the map of B&H.

Moore: Referendum is redundant because the outcome is already known (Glas Srpske)

Head of OSCE Mission to B&H Jonathan Moore stated in an interview to the daily that the announced referendum on marking of 9 January as Day of Republika Srpska (RS) is redundant because the outcome is already known. “It is a doubtful solution in context of social tensions. Nobody expects the RS to vote against 9 January. If we know the result, I do not see the point,” he underlined. He added that the referendum represents waste of time and money also in context of the conclusions of the international community regarding the status of this referendum. He repeatedly emphasized that there is no need for the referendum because political leaders in the RS already know what people of the RS think about this matter. “The Law (on holidays) must be changed as stated in the decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H”, said Moore. Asked if he believes that B&H is a truly democratic country, Moore replied that it is, because people can elect their representatives. Asked to comment the fact that B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) decided by outvoting to reject the request of the RS Referendum Commission to deliver the voter lists, Moore said that this was not a case of outvoting, but a case of lack of consensus. “I regret that it was that way, but it was in line with their jurisdiction. B&H CEC enjoys our support. I think BIH CEC is doing its job under difficult conditions. The referendum itself is more important issue now,” Moore noted. According to Moore, B&H CEC should explain it claim that they have been under greatest pressure since the Commission was established. He added that public institutions are always working under scrutiny of the public and media, and they are always under pressure. “I believe that they sought consensus but did not find it. They sought different signals and indications from the High Representative and Peace Implementation Council. I am sorry that they did not reach consensus, but they have the decision and it does not have to be passed by consensus,” said Moore.

Scott: Referendum would destabilize region (Dnevni avaz)

US Ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott stated on Friday that all countries of the region need to turn towards the future and establishing of best possible relations. Asked why referendum in the Republika Srpska (RS) is unacceptable for the US, Scott said that this would destabilize the region. “Dayton Peace Agreement established certain institutions for which all sides agreed that they will be institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Constitutional Court reached a decision and this is why referendum in the RS is such a problem. It seems that this will destabilize the region and higher instability is something that this region needs the least”, said Scott.

Doboj-Prnjavor motorway section opened (RTRS)

President of Republika Srpska (RS) and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik officially opened on Sunday the Doboj – Prnjavor section of Banja Luka – Doboj motorway. The opening ceremony was attended by a great number of high-ranking officials, including Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. The Doboj-Banja Luka motorway, also called ‘January 9’, is 36.6 kilometers long. Construction of the mentioned section was financed with a credit from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the amount of EUR 185 million. Addressing those present, Dodik stated that he is focused on preserving peace and stability, noting that roads are being built in order to connect people and not for army tanks. The President of the RS also underlined that ‘January 9’ motorway represents proof of existence of the RS as well as proof of this entity’s capabilities. “Our goal was to build a motorway for everyone, regardless of their differences. This was not a selfish act, but a generous gesture,” Dodik said in his address. The Serbian Prime Minister underscored that peace and stability are needed more than ever and that the roads are built to connect, which the region needs and not the tensions. Vucic also reminded of the difficult economic situation in the RS, adding that construction of ‘January 9’ is of crucial importance because it will bring new jobs to young people and all citizens of the RS. Vucic and Dodik agreed that both the RS and Serbia have an obligation to work towards improvement of lives of the countries’ citizens. Speaker of the National Assembly of the RS (RSNA) Nedeljko Cubrilovic underlined that the Doboj – Prnjavor section of Banja Luka – Doboj motorway was named after the Day of the RS and stressed that, thanks to ‘January 9’ motorway, the RS will be able to further develop trade, economy and tourism. Prime Minister of the RS Zeljka Cvijanovic, who also attended the solemn putting into operation of the ‘January 9’ section pointed out that this motorway was one of the strategic Government projects which was being implemented as part of a wider program of development and improvement of road infrastructure in this entity. RS Minister of Transport and Communications Nedjo Trninic said that the motorway will ensure faster economic development and will attract new investors to the RS. Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy Aleksandar Vulin stated that construction of roads represents development and progress. Reporter noted that a large number of objects were built at the section from Prnjavor to Doboj – large and smaller bridges, overpasses, underpasses and one artificial tunnel. Thanks to new 36.6 kilometers of motorway, whose construction was successfully completed this summer, the network of motorways in the RS will consist of more than 70 kilometers.

Croatia elections 2016: State Electoral Commission releases complete results (Hina)

The State Electoral Commission (DIP) on Monday released complete results of Sunday’s early parliamentary election, confirming the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) as the relative election winner. Of the 151 seats in the Croatian parliament, the HDZ and its partners won 61, DIP chairman Branko Hrvatin told a press conference. The People’s Coalition led by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) took 54 seats, the Bridge party captured 13, the Human Shield and its partners 8, the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) 3, the coalition of Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic 2, the Croatian Democratic Party of Slavonia and Baranja (HDSSB) 1 and the independent slate of Zeljko Glasnovic (diaspora) 1. The Serb minority will be represented by Milorad Pupovac, Mile Horvat and Boris Milosevic. The Hungarian minority will be represented by Robert Jankovics, the Italian minority by Furio Radin and the Czech and Slovak minorities by Vladimir Bilek. Veljko Kajtaz will represent 12 minorities (Austrians, Bulgarians, Germans, Jews, Poles, Roma, Romanians, Russians, Ruthenians, Turks, Ukrainians, and Vlachs), while Ermina Lekaj Prljaskaj will represent five (Albanians, Bosniaks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, and Slovenians). The turnout was 52.59%, about 10% lower than in November 2015. Of 3.76 million voters, 1.97 million cast their ballots. Voting will not be repeated at any of the polling stations. The results will be declared final and official after the completion of the appeal procedure, Hrvatin said.

President congratulates HDZ and all elected MPs, says Croatia has no time to waste (Hina)

President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic on Monday congratulated all elected members of Parliament and the relative election winner, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) and its leader Andrej Plenkovic, noting that in consultations on government formation she would not tolerate any stalling or ultimatums that irritate the Croatian public because Croatia has no time to waste.

“Despite individual inappropriate statements, this election campaign marks significant democratic progress given that for the most part it focused on vital problems of the Croatian people and not on divisions. However, the lower turnout for this election should be seen as a warning to all to perform the duties entrusted to them more responsibly and to restore trust in politics and politicians,” the president said in an address after the State Electoral Commission announced complete results of Sunday’s early parliamentary election. She said she would begin consultations on government formation after the DIP declared the election results final and official. “I wish to make it clear that I will not allow any stalling or ultimatums that irritate the Croatian public and that do not lead to building mutual trust as the foundation of a stable government. Croatia has no time for new political games of one-upmanship. We need a resolute, competent and forward-looking leadership that will ensure stability, development and economic growth,” Grabar-Kitarovic said. She said she believed she would soon be presented with proof of the majority support of all members of the Croatian parliament for a new prime minister-designate, stressing again that Croatia had no time to waste.

Plenkovic: HDZ to begin talks with other parties on Tuesday (Hina)

Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday that the HDZ would begin talks with other parliamentary parties on Tuesday to form the new government. “We want the political parties to fulfil their basic duty in society, that institutions function normally and effectively for the benefit of citizens rather than for their own benefit,” Plenkovic told a press conference after a three-hour meeting of the HDZ National Council. The HDZ National Council has decided to conduct negotiations on the formation of the new government based on the HDZ’s election platform which is focused on the future, the economy, competitiveness, jobs, demographic policy, social justice and the inclusion of vulnerable groups into society in the best possible way. It is on this platform that a task force has been set up for talks with other parliamentary parties to form the new government, Plenkovic said. The task force will be led by Plenkovic. He expressed confidence that the HDZ would manage to form a stable government within time frames defined by the constitution and law. Asked what position the HDZ would take on demands set by the Bridge party, Plenkovic congratulated Bridge on its performance, but noted that the HDZ was a convincing election winner and that it would enter into talks with other parties from that position and on the basis of its electoral platform. He added that some of the Bridge’s seven demands could be acceptable, while some required detailed negotiations. Plenkovic ruled out any possibility of a grand coalition with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), saying that that was out of the question. Asked if he considered forming the government without Bridge, he said that all would be clear in the coming days. “We are going into this openly, very transparently, with the aim of forming an effective government. The National Council includes ministers who have experience cooperating with Bridge and a few of us who have less operational experience but who are ready to write a new page of cooperation, which requires two sides,” the HDZ leader said. He reiterated that it was natural that a party that was a clear relative winner of an election had the right to have its leader as prime minister.

Asked if he would agree to cooperation with parties of the People’s Coalition other than the SDP and the Istrian Democratic Party (IDS), Plenkovic said he would see how things evolved in terms of the coalition’s cohesion, adding that the HDZ was open to talks. Plenkovic said that the HDZ was open to talks with all parliamentary representatives of ethnic minorities. He said that the HDZ, as a member of the European People’s Party (EPP), attached great attention to cooperating with the ethnic minorities and respecting their rights. He added that the HDZ expected at the same time that the rights of ethnic Croats in other countries were respected as well.

Milanovic announces withdrawal as SDP chief (Hina)

Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader Zoran Milanovic announced on Monday that he would not run for another term as the party’s chief. Milanovic made the announcement at an extraordinary press conference after early parliamentary elections at which his party lost to the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ). He said that the SDP’s bodies would call a party election within the next 150 days as required by the party’s statute. Milanovic noted that the turnout for Sunday’s vote was lower than ever, which he said played in favor of the rival bloc. “It’s a fact that we should accept rather than philosophize about it,” he added. Milanovic has been at the SDP’s helm since 2007, and the SDP has not won a parliamentary election since 2011.

Bradshaw: It depends on Montenegro whether NATO will build bases in its territory (RTCG)

General Adrian Bradshaw, deputy supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, is pleased with the reforms Montenegro carried out on its NATO path. He says that possible building of military bases on our territory completely depends on Montenegro. He said that it was of crucial importance for NATO to build bases in Montenegro. “It’s up to you. What we want from Montenegro is its integration into the system of shared values, common standards, its will to expand stabilization activity in this dangerous world and to collectively confront the threat to the civilized and peaceful coexistence. Montenegro is committed to do that. This is something that will bring benefits to your citizens and the citizens of all member countries of NATO and the world. We do not stand as a block against anyone, but we are rather committed to common values – peace, security, the ability for people to freely express their democratic will, and to live in a peaceful, stable and a safe country. We are gathered here do it together. Montenegro has signed the agreement to be part of it, to be an equal member and it is welcome”, said Bradshaw. He is not sure that the concept of neutrality is possible for Montenegro.

“It is hard for any nation to be neutral against common threats we face in the form of extremism, terrorism and destabilization. We must face it together. But NATO as a block is not opposed to another block. As I said, NATO is committed to common values, common standards, for peace, security and stability. I believe all this is perfectly in accordance with the old concept of neutrality,” said Bradshaw.

Dimitriev discusses elections, integrations with EU Ambassador Zbogar (MIA)

Prime Minister Emil Dimitriev met on Monday with the newly appointed Ambassador of the European Union to Macedonia Samuel Zbogar, and discussed the next steps toward the strategic goal to have Macedonia integrated within the EU. “On our part, it was underlined that Macedonia has set a strategic goal of European Union membership, and the two interlocutors affirmed their commitment to continue mutual cooperation that is important to realize the European integrations of our country,” the government issued press release informed. Dimitriev, who is a place-­holder Prime Minister until the early elections in December, also thanked Ambassador Zbogar for the support EU has provided in advancing democratic standards and preparing for fair, credible and democratic elections which should put an end to the political crisis. Zbogar said that the EU will continue its support in this regard.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Roth: Western Balkans countries need to come to terms with their past (European Western Balkans, 13 September 2016)

BELGRADE – “I am convinced that Serbia’s EU accession is not only topic for the elites.” – said Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe and Federal Government Commissioner for Franco-German Cooperation, at the lecture “Serbia on the road to the EU – what after the opening of Chapters 23 and 24?” The lecture was organized by Friedrich Ebert Foundation and held at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade.Roth highlighted that the EU and Western Balkans are facing with very important challenges, but peace and cooperation shouldn’t be forgotten. Over the years a lot of problems were solved through dialogue and that’s the essence of the EU. EU is more than a common market and institutions, it’s the union of common values. Germany is committed to the EU perspective of all Western Balkans countries and wants them in the EU, which was confirmed on the Paris conference this summer. On the other hand, Germany needs countries in our neighborhood that are peaceful and committed to the EU. In that regard, Serbia is important for Germany as a key factor in the region, because of Serbia’s relations with the surrounding countries. He added that Serbian government has started reforms and that he is aware that those reforms are tough and not always popular. EU Commission is monitoring Belgrade’s relations with Priština and is aware that there are problems on both sides. Roth pointed out several fields that Serbia needs to work on, such as minority rights and NGOs and activism. He touched on the fact that Serbia’s foreign and security policy isn’t matching with the EU’s. He is aware of Serbia’s linkage with Russia, but the EU has its Common Foreign and Security Policy which Serbia needs to align with. This doesn’t mean that Serbia needs to cut its relation with Russia. Regarding the process of reconciliation in the region, Roth said that “all countries need to come to terms with their past.“ He gave the example of Germany and France and continuous, direct dialogue and cooperation, which has helped building the foundation for mutual trust. He expressed his confidence that the countries of the Western Balkans can do the same and build common future. Roth also commended the creation of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) at the Paris Summit, since a similar model played a great role in the case of Germany and France. Asked if he thinks that current bilateral disputes of Serbia and Croatia would be much easier to resolve if Croatia wasn’t part of the EU, since „it’s evident that the rise of Croatian nationalism occurred after Croatia became part of the EU. “ “My message to Croatia is very clear. Croatia and Serbia must resolve their bilateral problems alone, and it has nothing to do with accession process and we shouldn’t mix it.”

Author: Vukašin Živković, Intern at European Western Balkans and student of the Faculty of Security Studies in Belgrade.

HDZ leader promises stable government for Croatia, but can he deliver? (bne IntelliNews, by Clare Nuttall, 13 September 2016)

In his victory speech following Croatia’s September 11 general election, Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenkovic and likely future prime minister pledged that the next government would be stable. He also stressed that talks on the formation of the new government would start almost immediately. With these comments demonstrating that he at least aims to quickly form a stable government, he addressed two of the critical issues for Croatians, who returned to the polls on Sunday just 10 months after the last election as the HDZ-Bridge of Independent Lists (Most) government collapsed following months of infighting. Confidence in the HDZ’s new leader seems high, given that his party defied poll forecasts to become the largest party in the new parliament with 61 seats. Successive polls in the run-up to the election had put the rival Social Democratic Party (SDP) slightly ahead, though neither party was expected to gain enough votes to rule alone. Instead, the SDP lost some of its MPs, to take just 54 seats.

Even with its victory in the polls, the HDZ will have to find coalition partners. Most has 13 seats, down from 19 in the previous parliament but enough to put it again in kingmaker position; it is seen as the most likely partner for the HDZ, probably alongside a couple of smaller parties such as Zagreb mayor Milan Bandic’s new party. The anti-establishment Zivi Zid, which followed Most in fourth place, did surprisingly well, probably indicating many Croatians’ disillusionment with politics in their country, which was further confirmed by the historically low turnout. However, Zivi Zid’s eight MPs are not seen as a natural fit for the HDZ, or for that matter the SDP. There are also questions over the feasibility of a new HDZ-Most coalition, not surprisingly given the infighting that surrounded the collapse of their first coalition under technocratic Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic in June. However, things have changed over the last few months, not least with the resignation of former HDZ leader Tomislav Karamarko, whose relations with both Oreskovic and Most leader Bozo Petrov had deteriorated alarmingly by the time the coalition started to split. Plenkovic, a soft-spoken former lawyer and European Parliament member, is a very different type of leader from Karamarko. Even before his appointment as party leader in July, he said he would reach out to Most, saying there was “space for a new page of cooperation”. Most, which clashed with the previous HDZ leadership over the slow pace of reform, is also expected to have become more willing to compromise following its experience in office. “We assume that this time discussions between HDZ and Most could take less time as HDZ leader Mr Plenkovic has already expressed willingness to talk with Most about their initial requirements,” Raiffeisen analysts wrote in a September 12 note. “Although the preliminary results point to the relative fragile government, the outcome gives hope [for the] formation of a more stable government than the one in November 2015.”

Horse trading

When discussions get underway, Tim Ash of Nomrua forecasts that the first challenge for HDZ and Most will be deciding who will be the next prime minister. “In the last coalition the HDZ and Most were unable to agree a candidate from their own ranks and after weeks of horse trading, eventually a technocrat was chosen,” Ash wrote on September 12. “However, this time around with HDZ exceeding expectations, Most losing seats, and the HDZ ‘win’ being seen as something of a personal triumph for Plenkovic I would assume he takes up the spot of [prime minister]. His moderate, more centrist tone would also suggest that he would make a more pragmatic leader, more able to lead a coalition.” This also bodes reasonably well for reforms after the formation of a new government. The checklist includes privatisations, and the reform of the pensions system and the public administration, all of which are likely to face popular opposition, and will require a strong and united government. A new HDZ-Most coalition is not a foregone conclusion; should talks between the two parties break down, the SDP will be waiting in the wings. However, SDP leader Zoran Milanovic – Croatia’s prime minister until the November 2015 election – stepped down on September 12, and his brief statement after the defeat became apparent gave little indication of the party’s intentions. “This was not a happy day for Croatia. Croatia needs a stable government. What it will be we do not know,” Milanovic told supporters. He also made a jibe at the previous HDZ-Most coalition, commenting that “[for] eight months we have witnessed an experiment, but it cannot continue”. Post mortems on why the result was so different from what polls predicted are inevitable. The most likely reason for the HDZ’s better than expected performance is Plenkovic’s reputation as a liberal, which is likely to have appealed to undecided voters in the centre. He also decided that the HDZ would stand alone rather than as the main player in the Patriotic Coalition, distancing itself from fellow rightwing parties. GDP growth in Croatia accelerated from 2.7% y/y in Q1 to 2.8% y/y in Q2, and the HDZ also most likely benefitted from the strong performance of the economy in the first half of this year – somewhat unfairly since the HDZ-Most government did little in the way of reform and the SDP claims the groundwork was laid under the last Milanovic government. Meanwhile, Milanovic appeared to be trying to win over HDZ leaders by ramping up his nationalist rhetoric – a surprising move from a politician generally seen as moderate on national issues, and one that seems to have backfired. In a conversation with veterans in August, he was recorded as describing Bosnia as “not even a state … It’s a big shit” and accusing Serbia of wanting to “rule half the Balkans”. “The HDZ ran outside its former Patriotic Coalition of right of centre parties, and I think this helped its new leader Andrej Plenkovic project a more moderate centrist image, which allowed the party perhaps to capture some more centrist-minded voters,” wrote Ash. “The fact that the leader of the Social Democrats, Zoran Milanovic, made some forthright and somewhat nationalistic comments, also likely helped the swing to Plenkovic and the HDZ.” By contrast, while the HDZ also engaged in nationalist rhetoric in the run-up to the election, Plenkovic appears to have gauged the mood in the country better, and to have inspired confidence that he can deliver the long-awaited stable government. As negotiations with Most and other parties get underway, the next few weeks will show whether this confidence was justified.

Tensions Grow Over Bulgaria’s UN Candidate (BIRN, by Mariya Cheresheva, 13 Septermber 2016)

Bulgarian officials denied that Sofia was planning to replace its current nominee as new UN Secretary-General, Irina Bokova, with Kristalina Georgieva, the EU Commissioner in charge of the bloc’s budget.

After UNESCO Director Irina Bokova came only fifth in the fourth ballot for a new UN Secretary-General, reports are rife that Bulgaria may replace her with the European Commission Vice-President, Kristalina Georgieva. However, Bulgaria’s deputy-premier and Minister of Interior, Rumyana Bachvarova, dismissed this on Monday. She told Nova TV: “I have no information that the Bulgarian government will discuss replacing the candidacy of Irina Bokova for head of the UN with Kristalina Georgieva.” However, she conceded that Bokova’s performance in the race for the UN top job had been “unconvincing” and that Bulgaria could not “rely on a good final solution”. The Deputy Prime Minister in charge of EU affairs, Meglena Kuneva, also said she was unaware of cabinet plans to replace its UN candidate. Bokova received seven “encourage”, five “discourage” and three “no opinion” votes in the latest secret ballot on September 8, coming fifth after the candidates from Portugal, Slovakia, Serbia and Macedonia. Media reports over the weekend quoted Bulgarian and foreign diplomats as saying that the Bulgarian government would throw its weight behind Georgieva in the coming days. According to media, the cabinet could take the decision to withdraw its support from the UNESCO chief at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday. On September 9 Talal Al-Haj, UN bureau chief of for the TV station Al-Arabiya, tweeted that Georgieva would be nominated by Hungary, Latvia and Croatia with the backing of Germany. He added that Georgieva’s nomination had been agreed on the sidelines of the most recent meeting of the G-20 states as the common candidate of the centre-right European People’s Party, the largest bloc in the EU. Reports have also suggested that at the same G-20 meeting, the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, even convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin, believed to be a strong supporter of Bokova, to back Georgieva to replace Ban Ki-Moon. However, that drew a prompt reaction from Russia’s foreign ministry, whose spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said on September 11 that any attempts to influence countries’ decisions to nominate one or other candidate were “unacceptable”. But she admitted to TASS new agency that the German Chancellor had started a conversation with the Russian leadership on possible support from Russia for a candidate “other than the one officially nominated”. On September 10 and 11, various Bulgarian media outlets and Reuters reported intensive talks on Georgieva joining the UN race. In Brussels, Martin Selmayr, chef-de-cabinet for the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said on Twitter: “Kristalina would make strong UNSG, and many Europeans proud. + strong signal for gender equality.” Solomon Passy, a former foreign minister of Bulgaria and strong backer of Bokova for the UN post, said the fact that Prime Minister Boyko Borissov had not openly scotched the rumours about a planned shift in the country’s UN candidacy was undermining the chances of any Bulgarian candidate winning the UN race. But he also told BIRN on Monday that if Bulgaria does nominates Georgieva, that could only mean that Borissov had received guarantees that she would be supported by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain and the United States. Earlier in 2016, Georgieva, who had been mentioned as a possible Bulgarian candidate, said she would not participate in the race, as she wanted to dedicate her time to her second mandate as a European Commissioner. Bulgaria officially nominated Bokova for the post of UN Secretary General on February 10, despite divisions in the government. Prior to her nomination, a foreign ministry official told BIRN that both centre-right parties in the governing coalition, GERB and the Reformist Bloc, felt uneasy about backing her, owing to Bokova’s links with the former communist elite.