LOCAL PRESS

Ugljanin congratulates Tachi on “the state” (RTS/Tanjug/Novosti)

The Chairman of Bosniak National Council (BNV) in Serbia and the leader of Party of Democratic Action (SDA) of Sandzak Sulejman Ugljanin, former Minister in Serbian Government, congratulated Kosovo President Hashim Tachi “on good results in building a democratic, multinational and multi-confessional European country, based on the rule of law, legal security and equality in front of the law”. It was announced by BNV that Ugljanin stressed the wish for active participation of Bosniaks in Kosovo political life, cooperation between BNV and institutions of culture and education in order to preserve Bosniak national identity and improvement of economic cooperation. Delegation from BNV and SDA of Sandzak was present in Pristina on the academy committed to life and work of Saban Poluza and Mehmet Gradica, who had a significant role in the history of Sandzak Bosniaks, as it was announced. Poluza was one of the leaders of quisling military formations in Kosovo during World War II that were in service of German Nazis, while Gradica was his assistant. Honorary academy was held in National Theater in Pristina under patronage of Tachi.

Vucic: Right decision for not having Ugljanin part of government (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has stated that Sulejman Ugljanin’s visit to Pristina and his meeting with Hashim Tachi has demonstrated that his decision not to have the SDA leader in the government was right. “This is one of the key reasons why he is not part of the government,” Vucic told the press in Nis. “Everything else that I would say, I am not sure that I would have the right to voice my opinion in such manner on what he had done,” said Vucic.

Vucic: Genocide lawsuit revision request is irresponsible (Tanjug)

The submission of B&H’s genocide lawsuit against Serbia is irresponsible, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic told US Ambassador Kyle Scott. According to Vucic, this irresponsible move has created a very bad atmosphere – above all in B&H. He added that relations between Serbia and B&H are moved back in the past while the stability of the entire region is shaken,” the Serbian government said in a statement quoted by Tanjug, and added: “Serbia will always respect the integrity of B&H and will advocate for the preservation of peace and stability, but will never allow endangering the state and national interests of Serbia.” According to the statement, Vucic and Scott today discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the region and Serbia’s European integration, as well as other topics of mutual interest. They reviewed the situation in the region and stressed the importance of promoting peace, stability and better mutual relations in the Western Balkans, as well as joint opportunities for accelerating economic growth, expansion of trade and job creation. Vucic pointed out that his proposal on the establishment of the Customs Union in the Western Balkans is one of the ways to achieve economic prosperity of the entire region. Scott expressed continued US support for Serbia in the EU accession process and the efforts of the government in fulfilling the membership criteria. The two officials noted that there was good cooperation between Serbia and the United States in the fight against terrorism through the operation of the anti-ISIS coalition, the statement said, adding that Scott conveyed the invitation of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to the government of Serbia for the ministerial meeting devoted to this theme, planned for March in Washington.

Kuburovic: Serbia requests from ICJ to separate justice from propaganda (Novosti)

Serbian Justice Minister Nela Kuburovic said she hoped that ICJ would know to separate justice and law from political propaganda in the review process. According to her, the request was a consequence of will of one man and not B&H institution, which could start the issue of legality of the request. “We believe that ICJ, while considering this request, would seriously consider if B&H authority has submitted the review request and if Softic has an authority to represent B&H,” she said. Kuburovic stressed that such moves return relations between Serbs and Bosniaks two decades back and jeopardized stable relations, which were established with difficulty and lot of effort by compromises from both sides. “As before, Serbia will continue to follow policy of reconciliation and good neighbor relations, but also not sit aside and watch those who are trying to damage the reputation of Serbia, not only in the region but worldwide. Serbia is not and will not be the main culprit for all attempts of destabilization of relations in the Balkans and Serbia will not allow anyone to put labels on it without any valid evidence,” the Minister said.

Dacic: Izetbegovic’s move threatens stability of B&H and region (RTS/Beta)

The move by the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic is deeply opposed to the efforts to achieve comprehensive reconciliation in the region, Minister Dacic said in talks with European Director General for Enlargement Christian Danielsson. With this move the region is returning to the past, said Dacic. “This threatens not only the stability of B&H, but the entire region, which again returns to the past, rather than be, in a pragmatic manner, based on common interests, facing the future,” said Dacic, according to the Foreign Ministry. Dacic also stressed that Serbia deeply regrets this development and added that the country would undertake all measures to protect its interests and the interests of the Serb people in B&H.

Tanaskovic: Turkey supports Kosovo in UNESCO driven by Neo-Ottomanism (Tanjug/B92/RTS/Radio KiM)

Serbian Ambassador to UNESCO Darko Tanaskovic says Turkey is one of the most active countries lobbying for Kosovo’s UNESCO membership. He attributed this to Turkey’s strategy of Neo-Ottomanism. “All this is not happening by coincidence because, over the past years, Serbia has been the most stable country in the region and the territory of the former Yugoslavia. To many, that is not a normal situation so, due to political agendas, problems or opposition in their own countries, they are trying to create instability in the region,” Tanaskovic told Radio KiM. He added that it is theoretically possible – though he “doesn’t believe it” – that Kosovo’s membership would be put forward once again at the UNESCO Executive Council’s session in April. “Even if this membership were to happen, the Serbian Orthodox Church, its shrines, monasteries, cemeteries would find themselves in a big problem, because they would be exposed to a silent and indivisible pressure,” he has been quoted as saying, and adding, that’s worse than having your church destroyed, something that the world sees, then criticizes and condemns. Speaking about the role of the Vatican in the whole story around Kosovo, Tanaskovic said: “There are many reasons why the Vatican has not recognized Kosovo.” According to him, the Catholic Church doesn’t think UNESCO is the place where somebody’s independence should be affirmed, the UN or the EU are there for that.

Orban supports SVM decision to support Vucic (TV Panon)

Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban supported the decision of Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) to support the presidential candidacy of Aleksandar Vucic. Orban, who is the leader of Hungarian ruling party Fidesz, received the president of VMSZ Istvan Pasztor in Budapest, who informed him about the upcoming presidential election in Serbia and the decision of the party’s council to support the candidacy of Prime Minister Vucic, Subotica-based Television Panonreported.

REGIONAL PRESS

Softic officially submits motion for revision of ICJ’s ruling in case B&H vs. Serbia (N1)

A delegation of B&H, led by legal experts Sakib Softic, David Scheffer and Phon van den Biesen, filed a motion for revision of the ruling in the case of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague on Thursday. Aside from the motion for revision of the ruling from February 26, 2007, the delegation handed five boxes of documents and evidence materials to the Registrar of the ICJ. The Registrar is expected to examine the facts and deadlines, after which the motion will be sent to Serbia. Serbia is likely to try to dispute Softic’s legitimacy as a legal representative of B&H before the ICJ, as well as the facts and evidence provided by B&H. The ICJ will then launch a preliminary procedure for both parties to present their arguments, before it makes a decision on whether the motion is credible and whether the process of revision will be launched. This procedure is expected to last for two years. The motion for revision of the ruling in the case of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia is the fifth motion of this kind in history of the ICJ.

Izetbegovic decides to create a total crisis (Srna/RTRS)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik has stated anent the filing of a motion for the review of the ruling in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) lawsuit against Serbia before the International Court of Justice in The Hague, that the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, decided to create a total crisis, which would be the most harmful to B&H. Dodik has stressed that current developments in the B&H Presidency clearly indicates that no decision on initiating review of lawsuit has been made, and stressed that RS must maintain the unity at the moment. “Izetbegovic decided to make a total crisis, but must be aware that legal basis for initiating the review do not exist,” Dodik told the RTRS. He has added that Izetbegovic caused a crisis in B&H to which he is so committed, and expressed his belief that this crisis will mostly damage B&H, and it will take long period of time to overcome it. “Regardless of Izetbegovic’s reasons, it is clear that he enters and introduces new practice of behavior in the joint institutions of B&H and now, those from RS who speak about how not to behave, in one way or another, are clear that Izetbegovic does not hesitate to get out of all the institutions and the systems whenever he finds it suitable,” said Dodik. The RS President has added that this is an entirely new turn of events. According to him, Izetbegovic’s theory on genocide and aggression is a complete lie. RS must remain united in this issue and we must build unity exclusively on the fact that we are perfectly clear that the constant efforts of Bosniaks Muslims from Sarajevo are to harm the Serbs in general, especially in RS, concluded Dodik.

Izetbegovic: Serbia and the RS identified themselves with those that this process refers to (RTRS)

Addressing his press conference, Izetbegovic underscored that all legal requirements had been met to launch the revision procedure and that there was no need to once again discuss that matter except perhaps with regard to Softic’s status as a legal counsel. He also stressed that he works in line with the B&H Constitution, laws and the Rules of Procedure of the Presidency of B&H. Izetbegovic stated that he has been accused of causing a crisis in B&H and in the region, which he thinks is a classic switch of arguments. He argued that the crisis in relations between the countries and peoples has been caused by those who committed the aggression and crimes that culminated in genocide in B&H, those who deny the genocide and those who advocate “rehabilitation” of convicted war criminals and award them with charters of merit. Izetbegovic reiterated that the process of revision of the ruling is supposed to establish the truth about the events that happened more than two decades ago, for which the former regime led by Slobodan Milosevic is responsible. “Therefore, it is quite concerning that the current convocations of the ruling authorities in Serbia and the RS have expressed their solidarity and identified themselves with those that this process refers to in the first place,” he concluded.

Covic and Ferguson call for reducing of tensions (TV1)

Croat member of Presidency of B&H and leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic held a meeting with UK Ambassador to B&H Edward Ferguson in Sarajevo on Thursday and they discussed the current political situation in the country. On that occasion, Covic and Ferguson jointly assessed that, at this moment, the most important thing is to lower the tensions that burden the reform processes and draw attention away from the European path of B&H and which have lately visibly undermined the media climate and burdened the functioning of the state. They underlined that it is necessary to ensure that institutions at all levels can continue to implement the necessary reforms.

PIC calls for restraint from unilateral decisions (Srna)

Ambassadors of the member states of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) in B&H have called the politicians in B&H to restrain from unilateral decisions and actions through compromise and dialogue, said Russian Ambassador to B&H, Petr Ivantsov.

“The Turkish Ambassador has refrained from the part of the joint statement which reads on avoiding unilateral decisions,” Ivantsov told reporters after the session. Ivantsov has said the ambassadors adopted a joint statement expressing concern about the current situation in B&H. He has added that the statement expresses concern about negative circumstances that could affect the operation of joint government institutions.

An extraordinary session of the PIC Steering Board was convened at the request of the Ambassador of Russia in B&H over unilateral filing a motion for the review of the ruling in B&H lawsuit against Serbia before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Ivantsov last night stated that the motion for review of the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague has not been agreed within the institutions of B&H. He said that the Constitution of B&H provides that the Presidency of B&H decides on foreign policy issues, including relations with international organizations.

Govedarica: Dayton Agreement is on shaky legs (Dnevni avaz)

SDS leader Vukota Govedarica stated for the daily that activities conducted out of institutions is the worst for B&H and that B&H Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic showed he prefers such activities. He deems it was a good decision of B&H Presidency Chairman Mladen Ivanic to convene an extraordinary session of B&H Presidency but that, despite that, B&H’s legal agent Sakib Softic submitted the request for revision of the ruling before the ICJ at Izetbegovic’s order. Govedarica stressed that in this way the illegal and anti-constitutional activities have continued. According to him, B&H Presidency member Dragan Covic demonstrated something that is not good for B&H too by walking out of the Presidency session after Izetbegovic did the same. “I would not like to comment his unexplainable decision. The Dayton Agreement is seriously jeopardized with these moves and is on shaky legs now,” underlined Govedarica. He added that politicians of Republika Srpska (RS) should answer with joint ethnic policy and must not allow the crisis to spill over in the RS.

Cavic: Criminal charges against Izetbegovic and Softic (Dnevni avaz)

NDP leader Dragan Cavic stated for the daily that this party will file criminal charges against B&H Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic and Sakib Softic either on Monday or Tuesday. He assessed that Izetbegovic’s behavior from Thursday presents complete destruction of constitutional capacity of B&H Presidency. He added that SDA leader submitted the revision request as one party of the Presidency of B&H on behalf of B&H, and destructed the capacity of the country by doing so. “This was the strongest strike we could get. Something that nobody wanted has happened,” stressed Cavic.

Vucic and Mandic agreed: Serbian house to be established in Podgorica (MINA)

Serbian house will be established in Podgorica, and it will be home to the most important cultural and educational institutions of Serbian people in Montenegro, it was agreed today between DF leader Andrija Mandic and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. Many things were discussed during this long and friendly conversation, it was said in DF. Continuous help for other institutions of Serbian people was agreed upon as well. “Mandic was interested to know about Prosecution’s campaign about alleged involvement of BIA Serbia in state coup plot that aims to connect Serbian politicians from Montenegro, and Vucic said that BIA has no evidence or information that any Montenegrin citizen took part in the events of election-day,” DF statement reads. Vucic said that mentioning BIA in such a context does not demonstrate good will towards Serbia, assuming that “it all concerns unchecked information”.

Darmanovic: Montenegro in NATO by the end of May (CDM)

Montenegro received guarantees that the US Senate will ratify the NATO Accession Protocol, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Srdja Darmanovic in an interview. He said that he was expecting Montenegro to become a full-fledged member by the end of May. He said that they received a 100% guarantee that the US Senate would ratify the Protocol. He denied claims that the ratification could be victim to Trump’s administration desire to improve relations with Russia. “We understand that Trump wants to improve relations in Russia, especially when it comes to war on terrorism, but we do not see signs that point to sacrificing basic US national interests,” Darmanovic said. He reminded that out 28 NATO members, four have not ratified yet, out of procedural reasons – the US, Canada, Netherlands and Spain. “We expect audition at the next summit in the end of May. It is reasonable to expect that all the procedures would be finalized by then,” Darmanovic said.

Poposki meets UK Minister, Sir Duncan (MIA/Republika)

Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki and UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan, discussed late Thursday in Skopje on current developments in Macedonia, ongoing reforms and the country’s prospects to join the Euro-Atlantic organizations. They also referred to the bilateral relations and future steps of the UK Government with regards to UK’s prospective withdrawal from the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release. “We expect for the future UK stance towards Macedonia and the region to remain positive, especially in regard to the economic exchange and the support of the Euro-Atlantic integration processes,” Poposki said. The meeting paid special attention to Macedonia’s bid to join NATO – as the country’s strategic goal. Poposki, extending gratitude for the UK’s continuous support of Macedonia’s integration with the international organizations, emphasized the readiness for resuming of the partnership relations between the two countries and the need of bolstering the cooperation, the press release reads.

Sekerinska meets Sir Duncan (MIA)

Radmila Sekerinska, Vice-President of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), held talks Thursday with the UK Minister of State for Europe and the Americas, Sir Alan Duncan. The meeting was also attended by UK Ambassador to Macedonia Charles Garrett. The meeting addressed ongoing changes on Macedonia’s political scene and economic challenges towards improving the living standard of citizens, SDSM said in a press release. New, bright perspective opens up for Macedonia and its citizens, with the ongoing democratic changes that are to bring about a new, democratic government, Sekerinska said. The meeting highlighted the wish of over 612,000 citizens who voted for the rule of law, cohesion instead of division, prosperous, not isolated Macedonia, the press release reads.

Rama accepts one of the opposition’s conditions (ADN)

Prime Minister Edi Rama accepted on Thursday one of the opposition’s condition to apply electronic counting during the parliamentary elections of 18 June. From the empty parliamentary session due to the opposition’s boycott, Rama said for the first time that electronic counting of votes is possible. “Electronic counting could be done. We have no problem with this,” said Rama sending a signal for dialogue to the opposition. He also urges the DP to join the negotiations for the standards of the next parliamentary elections.

Basha includes vetting on opposition’s condition (ADN)

Opposition promises to contribute on the implementation of the Vetting Law, if the seven laws are returned for discussions in parliament and the ruling coalition will vote them consensually. “If this government really want the implementation of Vetting Law, then I promise them that immediately after they will accept a caretaker government and after the correction of the seven laws part of it according to the proposals of the opposition, let’s implement Vetting and see who really is afraid from it,” said Basha. This proposal was made immediately after the meeting Basha had with the rapporteur for Albania in the European Parliament, Knut Fleckenstein.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Balkan Migration Route: Ongoing Story (European Western Balkans, 22 February 2017)

BELGRADE – Countries in the Western Balkans have been since May 2015 on the forefront of international migrant crisis. At this part of colloquially named “Balkan migration route”, displaced persons have mostly arrived from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, fleeing war or political prosecution. European Union took a great part in alleviating the brunt of this influx, through material assistance and expertise, but the largest brunt of the crisis fell on the shoulders of of Serbia and Macedonia, last stops before the Schengen area. The route became a popular passageway into the EU in 2012, before the escalation of problems, when Schengen visa restrictions were relaxed for five Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia. One of the reasons for the rise was irregular migration by nationals of the region looking for economic opportunities, especially from Kosovo, who later joined the march by Syrians and Somalis towards EU. On arrival in Hungary (first EU member along the route), they requested asylum, and were accommodated in exiting refugee centres. People migrating to the EU are categorised as either: an asylum-seeker, a refugee, a beneficiary of subsidiary protection, an irregular immigrant or a legal immigrant.

Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, counted the number of illegal border crossings on the Western Balkans route per year. According to their data, we can see a drastic spike from 19.950 in 2013, to 43.360 in 2014, to 764.038 in 2015. Since March 2016, after several countries along the Balkan migrant route closed their borders to migrants, this number dropped to 122.779. The refugees, albeit in smaller numbers still take their chances by boat, across the Mediterranean. This past year has seen a tragic increase in the loss of life with a total of 5.022 dead or missing at sea, marking 2016 as the deadliest year to date. We should note that these numbers are just the part of the migration pattern, and when legal migrants or refugees are added, total number approach 2 million. We should also note that the total number of asylum seekers in Balkan countries is negligible. De facto closure of the Western Balkan route in March 2016 left thousands stranded in Serbia and Macedonia. For instance, in early December 2016, in Serbia there were 6,400 refugees and migrants, of whom 80% were placed in 13 facilities provided by the Serbia, divided in sub-centres for asylum seekers, transit centres and reception centres. These numbers are expected to triple during this year. Assistance was provided to local communities in both countries, exposed to increased pressure on waste management, water supply, ability to dispose of waste water and centres for social work and health. It is difficult to assess how Western Balkan countries would cope with the situation without any assistance. With ongoing push against ISIL, one can expect that migrant crisis will intensify. Large part of the relief effort was provided by the European Commission, other EU agencies and other humanitarian actors, which have been working closely with the Serbian and Macedonian authorities, to meet the humanitarian needs of new arrivals and stranded populations as well as the most vulnerable among the refugees. A bigger Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Europe (RMRP) covering Turkey, Southern Europe, Western Balkans, and other parts of Europe was created, where USD 26 million for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, USD 20.7 million for Serbia and USD 67.9 million for other regional activities was requested. Through it, emphasis is placed on ensuring consistent border and protection monitoring, strengthening existing national protection and response mechanisms and promoting access to fair and efficient status determination procedures, relevant services and assistance. Affected countries have also established direct communication regarding this issue, without which efforts for the humane care of refugees would be less efficient or could potentially develop into political friction between Serbia and Macedonia.

The most important conclusion we can derive from the whole crisis is that regional cooperation and the EU assistance is paramount for the sustainable solution of this situation. Western Balkans countries do not have adequate capacities for sheltering this number of people, but the EU has continually provided help towards this goal. Future EU policies will probably be aimed at tighter border control, and their cooperation with Serbia and Macedonia will be key for the success s of this effort.

This article has been produced with the support of the Balkan Trust for Democracy. The content of this article and the opinions expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the portal European Western Balkans and in no way reflect the views and opinions of the Balkan Trust for Democracy nor the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

Hungary to build another fence behind the fence (Budapest Business Journal, 24 February 2017)

The Hungarian government has decided to build a “second line of defense” behind the current “technical border fence” erected earlier along its entire Serbian border, Cabinet Chief János Lázár announced yesterday during his regular weekly press conference.

Lázár justified the decision by saying a “significant number of illegal immigrants” are expected to arrive at the border this year. Therefore, the government has decided to boost the Ministry of Interiorʼs budget by HUF 38 billion, the cabinet chief said. The government will establish multiple border entry points, the minister explained, Office of Immigration and Nationality staff will handle asylum requests. “Immigrants cannot move around the country freely,” he insisted.

Yesterdayʼs announcement is not surprising: since the beginning of the year the government has been strengthening its migration rhetoric, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has already mentioned strengthening defence in the south, even raising the possibility of building a “wall”, although that might have been a slip of the tongue. Additionally, the government has lately been talking about “increasing pressure” on the Serbian border. According to official data, a few hundred instances are recorded on the border on a daily basis, while at the peak of the refugee crisis in 2015 – in the pre-fence era – thousands of refugees entered and made their way across the country on a daily basis.