LOCAL PRESS

Djuric and Tanin on upcoming UNMIK report (RTS/Tanjug)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric met today with UNMIK Head Zahir Tanin. They discussed the upcoming UNMIK report on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, which will be presented to the UN Security Council on 7 February. Djuric thanked Tanin for the objective analysis of the situation in our southern province, stressing that destabilization on the ground over the past period had demonstrated that it is necessary to continue with the quarterly rhythm of submitting UNMIK reports in order to make the international public aware of the problems and challenges in Kosovo and Metohija as quickly as possible. They devoted special attention to the case of the assassination of Oliver Ivanovic, agreeing that it is necessary for institutions and services, which are in charge of this, to conduct an objective and comprehensive investigation. Djuric warned that, despite the clearly expressed will by Belgrade to assist in shedding light on this crime, Pristina has not yet showed readiness to enable this.

Tanin has been acquainted with the course of the internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, launched at the initiative of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, as well as with the perspectives for the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

Vucic: Serbs and Albanians could make another mistake (Tanjug/B92/Kronen Zeitung)

The Serbs and the Albanians will be making yet another mistake, as the two biggest nations in the Balkans, if they fail to find a solution to the Kosovo issue. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said this in an interview with the Vienna daily Kronen Zeitung, noting that finding a solution requires compromises and concessions. Vucic, who is on an official visit to Austria, thanked Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for supporting Serbia, for always being open to the aspirations of our country, for being one of a few who talked with our people with respect.

“Now it’s up to us to do our part of the task. The biggest problem is, of course, a solution to the Kosovo issue. For that reason we launched a dialogue among ourselves and we have to find a compromise, where the Albanians and the Serbs will have to make concessions. If we don’t succeed in that, we will have made one more mistake in the history of the two biggest nations in the Balkans,” he said.  Vucic added that he met several times with representatives of the Kosovo Albanians, and when asked whether there was any progress, said that the talks were taking place, and pointed out that in the last five years there had been no ethnically motivated conflicts.

“After the recent murder of a Serb in Kosovo, we immediately made contact, to avoid escalation. I was in Kosovo to calm the Serbs down,” he added. Vucic at the same time had a message for the Albanians, saying that Serbia will not recognize Kosovo’s independence – and that they do not have it, because that requires the Serbs. “Without Serbia there is no UN membership, without Serbia there is no Interpol membership, without Serbia there are no state visits to China,” Vucic emphasized. He said that all the cards are on the table and that if there is give and take based on a fair principle there can be a solution. “And then for all doors of Europe would be opened for Serbia. Of course, we need to improve the rule of law, but on the other hand, we put our finances under control,” said the President.

Vucic: Agreement on normalization of relations equals to looking to the future (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Feb. 1 that there were different models of binding agreements on normalizing relations between Belgrade and Pristina, but stressed that the document was a window to the future which was supposed to solve current problems.

“There are many different modalities, I favor not running from a solution and not maintaining a frozen conflict, I favor not having problems and not leaving our problems to our children; I know that no one wants to hear that, but that is looking to the future and a responsible approach,” Vucic told reporters in Belgrade. He said that certain countries were proposing the model of two Germanies, while others felt that Serbia and Kosovo should solve their relations before signing an agreement. “It takes two to tango, others must understand as well that they must compromise, and not just Serbia, to reach an agreement both sides must be equally dissatisfied, or at least slightly satisfied,” he said. Asked what was realistic in terms of what could be expected, Vucic replied that it would be a success if an agreement was reached. “If there is no agreement, that is a lot more lost time for Serbia and Serbs,” Vucic said.

Serbia appreciates Slovenia’s assistance in process of European integration (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met during her working visit to Slovenia with the President of that country, Borut Pahor. The officials concluded that Serbia and Slovenia are committed to enhancing cooperation through an open political dialogue and mutual support on important issues. Brnabic and Pahor emphasized the importance of cooperation through regional initiatives and processes, such as the “Berlin Process” or the Brdo-Brioni Process, which significantly contributed to the deepening of cooperation in the Western Balkans region. They highlighted the cooperation within the China-CEEC mechanism. The Prime Minister stressed that Serbia highly appreciates the assistance and support of Slovenia in the process of European integration, because EU membership is our strategic foreign policy goal. She also confirmed Serbia’s readiness for further improvement of the regional investment agenda, and highlighted the work of the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia as an example of good practice. At the meeting they estimated that there is a possibility of cooperation through the joint appearance of the two countries in the third markets and pointed out that special attention should be paid to small and medium enterprises and cooperation in the fields of transport, energy, agriculture, construction and tourism. Pahor pointed out that it is the duty of the two governments to achieve better conditions for more direct cooperation between businessmen from both countries. Brnabic and Pahor also discussed current political issues in the Western Balkans region.

Healthcare one of the conditions of survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)

The healthcare system, together with education, represents one of the most important factors of survival of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, this was the message from Thursday’s round table of healthcare institutions within the internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija. “Medical workers, together with education, represent the first line of the survival of the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija” said the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric.

Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar underlined that the healthcare department gives support to the internal dialogue and that whatever decision is made we need to be united. “We agreed that Serbia will continue to finance and maintain the healthcare system on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija,” said Loncar. He admits that he doesn’t have enough information on what is happening in Kosovo and Metohija, but that he fully trusts President Vucic and his team headed by the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

Spain strongly supports Serbia, stance on Kosovo clear – embassy (Tanjug)

Spain strongly supports Serbia’s European integration and its stance on Kosovo is completely clear and based on the non-paper presented by Madrid, the Spanish embassy in Belgrade told Tanjug Thursday. Under the document, Kosovo can in no event proceed with EU integration, and it remains to be seen whether this will lead to a repetition of a situation from 2016 when, due to Austria’s opposition to further talks with Turkey, the European Council’s conclusions on enlargement were not adopted.

REGIONAL PRESS

Brussels: B&H Presidency members meet EPP’s Daul (BHT1)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency members discussed the issue of amending the Election Law of B&H with President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Joseph Daul in Brussels on Thursday. The exact topic of the meeting and if any of possible solutions were offered is unknown. According to B&H Presidency Chairman Dragan Covic, it was previously agreed with Daul that details of the meeting will not be made public. Addressing the reporters after the meeting, Covic said he expects that continuation of talks with institutions of the international community on the Election Law of B&H, with an aim to finally agree on a solution to this issue, will take place in Sarajevo during this month. He added that a new harmonized proposal of amendments to the Election Law of B&H might be in the parliamentary procedure in March. Addressing reporters, B&H Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic called on the international community to help B&H authorities find solution for implementation of the ruling of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H in the ‘Ljubic’ case. “They should help the same way as they hindered the process at the time when the Office of the High Representative (OHR) ordered to reduce the number of delegates from 30 to 17 and thus limited the possibilities. They should help us this time to increase this number or to find a different solution, because what we have now – i.e. the decision of the CC and the Federation of B&H Constitution – is that possibilities for maneuvering are so limited that it is almost impossible to find an adequate solution”, Izetbegovic concluded.  B&H Presidency member Mladen Ivanic told reporters that progress on the issue of the Election Law of B&H, if any, will depend primarily on SDA and HDZ B&H. “This is a meeting at which Europe, particularly the EPP, has clearly said that they want to help us agree on the Election Law of B&H and resolve our problems, as well as that they cannot do our job but they can help us”, Ivanic stated. Within their visit to Brussels, B&H Presidency members also met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. They discussed the EU integration of B&H and the Election Law of B&H. Mogherini stressed that political parties in B&H have to deal with the electoral reform, but with no further delay so that holding and implementation of the October general elections in line with the international and European standards could be ensured. Following the meeting, Mogherini stated that reforms need to be transformative for B&H to progress on the EU integration path and added that this is also something that the people of the country and the EU Member States demand and expect.

Covic: Bosniak side should stop electing two members of the Presidency from Federation of B&H (Vecernji list)

Chairman of the Presidency of B&H and HDZ B&H President Dragan Covic asked about the results of the meetings of members of the Presidency of B&H with President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Joseph Daul and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in Brussels, replied they first met with Daul, all three together and then separately, and then had a lunch together, which was followed by meeting with Mogherini. “If anything, we presented very clear positions” said Covic arguing that one could hear comments, during the meetings, that space for talks is narrow and that there can be only talks about the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Covic stressed that he made it very clear at both meetings it is imperative to secure legitimacy in the elections for members of the Presidency of B&H and the House of Peoples. “I also claimed we can reach adequate changes to the electoral legislation without changes to the Constitution, I made it clear that the Bosniak side will do everything to maintain possibility to elect two members of the Presidency and will try to obstruct any agreement regarding this problem”, said Covic.

Asked what will happen next, Covic said “it was good we had these exhausting talks”, adding that the international community will organize talks in Sarajevo in next ten days to discuss issues such as if there is a need to change the Constitution if way of election of members of the Presidency of B&H is to be changed. In this context Covic said the Bosniak side claimed it is impossible to reach solution regarding the Law on Elections without changes to the Constitution, “whilst we claimed that a solution must be a package – the House of Peoples and the Presidency”.

Izetbegovic: We did not come to solve something (EuroBlic)

Following the meeting of B&H Presidency members with leader of the European People’s Party Joseph Daul in Brussels, B&H Presidency member and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic said that they did not go to the meeting to solve anything but to inform Daul about problems related to election legislation in B&H.  “He might propose certain suggestions with regard to a solution for the Law on Elections of B&H”, Izetbegovic said and added that no progress was made at the meeting as well as that “the space for reaching of a solution was narrowed down”. “The discussion is related primarily to the House of Peoples (HoP) although B&H Presidency member and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic insists that we include the problem of election of B&H Presidency members as well. But that is not something that will be discussed here in Brussels, but we will discuss only the HoP, i.e. implementation of ‘Ljubic’ ruling. One cannot properly implement a decision of the Constitutional Court with 17 delegates, out of which number nine or ten will be from cantons”, Izetbegovic concluded.

Zvizdic: I will accept nomination, in case SDA decides to nominate me for post of Bosniak member of B&H Presidency (Hayat)

Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Denis Zvizdic, asked whether he expects SDA to nominate him as its candidate for the post of Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency in the upcoming general elections in B&H, said that no official SDA body discussed this. “But, we see that candidacies are being announced and we have been witnessing in the past year that the election campaign is in full swing, which means that SDA will have to discuss that issue very soon. I repeat, anyone who is candidate should be honored to be a representative of SDA. In case SDA decides to nominate me, I will accept the nomination and I will be honored to accept such a nomination and I am sure that future voters will assess everything SDA did both in this and in all previous terms of office in the right way and place trust in SDA’s candidate,” Zvizdic said.

Members of HVO acquitted (Dnevni list)

The Court of B&H acquitted, in second instance verdict, former civilian police and Croat Defense Council (HVO) military police officers Nikola Zovko, Petar Krndelj, Kreso Rajic and Ivica Cutura. Namely, the Court of B&H acquitted them of charges, according to which they carried out war crimes against Bosniak population in the Capljina area from July 19, 1993 to July 28, 1993. The indictees were acquitted in the first instance trial, and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H appealed. However, the Court of B&H ruled that the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H failed to provide evidence and convince the court that the indictees are in fact responsible for the wrongdoings.

Croatian Defense Minister wants Serbian President to apologize (Hina)

Croatia’s Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic on Thursday said that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic was welcome in Croatia, but that he first expects an apology for the Great Serbia military aggression against Croatia. Vucic is coming to Croatia in mid-February at the invitation of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. “The President of Serbia is welcome,” Krsticevic told reporters after a cabinet meeting when asked what he thought about Vucic’s visit and whether he should first apologize for the Great Serbia aggression. “I think he should. I think that what he was saying certainly wasn’t good. That’s the first step,” Krsticevic said. “We know that there was a war, that Croatia was attacked, that a brutal aggression was waged against Croatia. My duty today is to strengthen the security system, to strengthen the military system. It is clear that we have to look to the future. But an apology is the minimum,” he added.

Krsticevic did not wish to clearly answer whether the government agreed with the visit taking place now or perhaps that it should have waited until current tensions between the two countries eased up. “The government has expressed its stance. I’ve said it all,” he said and added that reporters should ask the president about that.

Serbian national minority leader hopeful about Vucic’s visit (Hina)

Milorad Pupovac, a member of the Croatian Parliament from the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), said on Thursday that it was important that protocols on good communication and on dealing with outstanding issues be agreed during Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s visit to Croatia, while symbolic gestures such as apologies were less important. Pupovac was asked by the press in the Parliament building whether Vucic should apologize for his speech in Glina in 1995 when he praised “the heroic people of Serbian Banija and Serbian Glina for being the first to rise against the Ustasha government and liberate the Serbian areas in the Republic of Serbian Krajina.” “For this meeting, symbolic gestures are not so important as are practical measures in addressing open issues,” Pupovac said, stressing the importance of agreeing protocols on good communication and on addressing open issues. Pupovac said that symbolic gestures had been made before, but they would not be enough unless the two countries addressed the causes of mistrust between them. “Apologies in themselves, without concrete action regarding war crimes trials, persons missing from the war, refugees, the minorities, the border, succession, would only be a repetition of the same story after which things could turn sour already tomorrow.” He said that the most important thing was that the visit was well prepared, that all relevant meetings were agreed, and that President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and parliament speaker Gordan Jandrokovic were included in the visit program. This will ensure that the visit and talks carry the necessary weight which would hardly be possible without the participation of the Prime Minister and the Parliament Speaker, he added. “It would be a great shame, both for the two countries and internationally, if any of the senior officials, either Serbian or Croatian, missed this opportunity to talk about improving Croatian-Serbian relations,” Pupovac said. “Anyone who would try to avoid this kind of communication would be responsible” for increasing animosity and mistrust, he concluded.

Jokovic: Common opposition presidential candidate unlikely (CDM)

SNP leader Vladimir Jokovic told CDM that it was almost certain that the opposition would not have a common candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for 15 April. According to him, none of the opposition candidates have the chance to beat DPS’s candidate in the first round. “It is now certain that the opposition will not have a common candidate. Everyone will go their own way. SNP decision making bodies will decide on the way of running in the elections. I do not think that any of the opposition candidates have a chance to beat a DPS candidate in the first round. Eventually, there is a chance in the second round,” Jokovic said.

Explaining this position, the SNP leader said that an opposition candidate could have a chance in the second round only if he/she was supported by entire opposition. When it comes to local elections in Berane and Ulcinj, Jokovic said that he was convinced that the Zdravo Berane coalition would win and that the party counted on one seat in the Ulcinj City Council.

Becic ready: I have courage to confront Djukanovic (CDM)

The Democratic Montenegro (DCG) leader Aleksa Becic said he would run at the presidential elections unless the opposition reaches an agreement on a common candidate. During DCG’s final convention in Berane, he said he was prepared to support a non-partisan candidate of the opposition. He gave a two-week deadline to the rest of the opposition to reach an agreement.

“How much time do you need for the decision, 10-15 days. You have it. If you fail to agree on a single candidate of the entire parliamentary opposition and propose him/her to us, I am at your disposal. I have the courage, will and guts to confront anyone, especially Milo Djukanovic,” said the leader of the Democrats. Becic said he would support any appropriate candidate that the opposition came up with regardless of its failure to support DCG previously. Becic said that DCG would not participate in any negotiations and that the potential non-partisan candidate mustn’t be an advocate for any ideology or a former member of any of Milo Djukanovic’s thieving governments.

President Ivanov: Name solution without encroaching on identity (MIA)

The settling of differences over the name must be in compliance with international law and international treaties, President Gjorge Ivanov told Matthew Nimetz, UN special envoy in the name talks, at their meeting Thursday in Skopje. Welcoming steps aimed at intensifying the dialogue, Ivanov noted that a name settlement could be sought only in the frameworks of the United Nations and reiterated that the framework of the negotiations – the UN Charter, the Security Council resolutions, the Interim Agreement and the verdict of the International Court of Justice, must be abode by. The Republic of Macedonia, he said, will continue to take part constructively in the process aimed at finding a solution to the dispute imposed by Greece, a solution which won’t encroach the identity of the Macedonian people and won’t undermine the dignity of the Macedonian citizens. Also, the interlocutors discussed the state of play involving the UN-brokered process and shared information and views with respect to the ideas of the UN special envoy, as well as the outcome of Nimetz’s visit to Athens, the President’s office said in a press release.

Zaev and Nimetz have agreed: Naumovski and Vasilakis are out, Dimitrov and Kotzias are in (Meta)

For future talks on resolving the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), instead of the current negotiators, the foreign ministers of Macedonia and Greece will be head of the negotiating teams. This was agreed upon between the mediator in the negotiations, Matthew Nimetz, and Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at their meeting, the Government reported. At the meeting in the Prime Minister’s office, Nimetz outlined his ideas, while Zaev presented ideas and views from the government and the political leadership from a coordinated meeting on Saturday in the MP’s Clubhouse. During the discussions it was also emphasized that a positive moment was created in the latest phase of the negotiations, and that the two countries have shown that they are committed to building further confidence measures. Prime Minister Zaev and mediator Nimetz at the meeting agreed that an atmosphere of good will and dialogue in the process should continue, as it is the only way to reach a compromise and come to mutual and acceptable solution that respects the national identity and dignity of the two peoples.

Dimitrov: Nimetz brought “ideas that are not so bad, but also ideas that are not so good” (Meta)

The mediator in the name talks between Macedonia and Greece, Matthew Nimetz, said at a press conference after the meeting with Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, that he is more optimistic than ever before to resolve the name dispute. “As for the issue of the identity of the people living here, besides everything we heard from the Greek side regarding denying the national identity, I am convinced that a solution is possible, and is completely in line with the preservation and even the strengthening of the national identity. I am very optimistic, even though there are differences between the two countries, a possible solution is possible, and from Athens I have heard nothing that challenges the identity of the country”, said Nimetz. Minister Dimitrov said that we cannot remain forever in the trenches of history and that it’s time for a solution, but although the Macedonian side has a strong will, you will need to see what Greece thinks. “No one, not even our Greek neighbors, can stop our right, or the right of my fellow citizens to be Macedonians and to speak the Macedonian language, that is from the group of the Slavic languages. In order for a solution, this process is very important and helps mediator Nimetz, but it is also very important that we act in the public’s interest. The more we talk about the red lines in public, there is less chance of finding a solution that will be accepted by citizens from both sides. There is strong will on our side and I hope that the other side has the will to decide. At the same time, I want to send a message to those citizens who do want a solution, that if there is a dignified way that respects the identity on both sides, then we will find a way through this process. It may not seem that way, but it is our job to do everything we can”, said Dimitrov. Regarding the proposals that Nimetz brought to both Athens and Skopje, Dimitrov did not want to speak in greater detail and said that “there are solutions that are not so good”. “Today we discussed in great detail and very seriously and I told the mediator Nimitz that in the package of proposals there are ideas that are not so bad, but also ideas that are not so good. I hope that the mediator will tell us what the next steps will be, based on what he discussed in Greece and what he will get here will define the process”, added Dimitrov. While answering a journalist question, mediator Nimetz emphasized that he is more optimistic than ever before during the negotiation process, but stressed that he is only a mediator, and the decisions will remain on both sides.

UN name mediator meets opposition VMRO-DPMNE leader (MIA)

The name negotiations should resume within the UN framework and abide to the documents and principles of the Security Council, Interim Accord and the ruling of the International Court of Justice, opposition VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski told UN mediator Matthew Nimetz. At the meeting, VMRO-DPMNE voiced concern over certain ‘irritating’ developments in Greece, which have been provoking ‘negative sentiment’ towards the Republic of Macedonia and ‘do not contribute to the entire (name negotiating) process’, the party said in a press release.

The solution for which Macedonia’s government has been negotiating should preserve the state interests and the national identity of the Macedonians, Mickoski told Nimetz.

UN name mediator Nimetz meets DUI leader Ahmeti (MIA)

I always get good advises from the DUI leader, UN name mediator Matthew Nimetz said Thursday after, as he said a ‘constructive meeting’ with Ali Ahmeti. “We’ve shared opinions about how the name issue may be resolved. I highly appreciate his positions and always get good advises from him. We’ve talked about the progress of the (name negotiation) process. Ahmeti has offered assurances that he will play a constructive role in the efforts for finding a fair, reasonable solution”  Nimetz told reporters after the meeting. Ahmeti said that his party offered full support to the UN mediator and his mission for settling the name row. DUI, he said, hopes that the matter will be settled soon, as it has substantial influence on ‘our future, as well as on the peace and stability’.

PM Zaev meets MEPs Bostinaru, Fajon and Picula (MIA)

Unreserved support for Macedonia’s EU integration bid was expressed Thursday at a meeting of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev with members of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) in the European Parliament, Victor Bostinaru, Tanja Fajon and Tonino Picula. The MEPs urged PM Zaev, the government and all political stakeholders in Macedonia to settle issues standing in the way of the country to meet the crucial objective, the government’s press service said. Bostinaru, Fajon and Picula called the reform process in the country conducted in the past few months ‘of vital importance’ after the political crisis had been overcome ‘wisely’. They also commended the integrative policies of PM Zaev and the government, involving inter-ethnic relations and political ties, focused on building one society for all, which was in line with European values. It was also concluded that NATO membership was of great importance for Macedonia. It guarantees stability, economic progress and security and stability is what the European Union needs, the interlocutors said. “We have implemented two-thirds of the 3-6-9 Plan of reforms all the while promoting policies of friendship both at home and across the region. We expect these steps of the government to result in lifting the conditions for a recommendation to start negotiations with the EU and in securing a date for opening of accession talks. They also pave the way for NATO perspectives. We have support from the international community and S&D’s support has been and remains vital for Macedonia,” Zaev said. According to him, the meeting with MEPs Bostinaru, Fajon and Picula sends an important message and affirmation that the citizens of Macedonia have support to meet the strategic goals that lead toward progress, stated the press release.

Chaos in parliament, opposition MPs noise and insults against majority (ADN)

Thursday parliamentary session started with debates between majority and opposition. Guards made a physical control to all of the MPs of the opposition and this was the origin of the debate.

Democrat MP, Edi Paloka denounced this act while declaring that the MPs can’t be treated as criminals or terrorists. “The opposition’s MPs were submitted to a body-search while entering the premises. We are members of parliament, not terrorists, thieves or criminals,” said Paloka, addressing to Speaker Gramoz Ruci. He declared that the real thieves in this building sit in the ministers chairs. “If there are thieves in this parliament they are sitting in government’s chairs. You can’t humiliate the MPs because your leader fears the opposition,” declared Paloka.

His denunciation was followed by the reaction of Democrats MP who blocked the podium forcing Speaker Ruci to interrupt the session. Following the events, parliament speaker, Gramoz Ruci expelled on from the Parliamentary Session, the chairman of Democratic Group, Edmond Spaho. The reason was the action of Spaho, who according to Ruci violated the Parliament regulation by blocking the podium and causing chaos. Despite the frequent interruption of the Parliamentary Session, the opposition MPs continued to block the podium and protest against Speaker Ruci decision.

Two Democrat officials physically clashed with a citizen (ADN)

Former Democratic Party MP, Fatbardh Kadili and former Deputy Minister, Eno Bozdo, had physical clashes on Thursday with a citizen near parliament.  The fight happened because the citizen offended them and they could not resist to the serious insults, local media report. “I was with Bozdo walking in the street when suddenly a citizen started screaming by insulting us with the words: You deputies who drank our blood … and other very serious insults. His vocabulary was very ordinary. I was forced to react in that form, and any person who would be in my position would do the same,” said Kadili.

Maritime borders, Kokedhima ‘threatens’ Prime Minister (ADN)

One of the former collaborators of the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, Koco Kokedhima, threatened him on Thursday for the last decision to donate 12 nautical miles to Greece. He made a strong warning saying that he might end like “Esat Pasha Toptani” if he makes the sea deal with Greece. “If this government will damage even one millimeter of the sea and land space of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama will be Esat Pasha Toptani of our days and will have the fate that he had.” – said Kokedhima. Esat Pasha Toptani was assassinated by Avni Rustemi in 1920, because he secretly entered into an agreement with the enemy and handed Shkodra to Montenegrins.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Greece-Macedonia/FYROM Name Talks: Searching for new momentum after Nimetz Balkan visit (New Europe, by Alec Mally, 2 February 2018)

The UN Mediator for the Greece–FYROM/Macedonia Name Dispute, Matthew Nimetz, visited both Athens and Skopje over the January 29-February 1 period. Important issues were discussed and Nimetz was brought up to date, but it is unclear whether the emotional comments that surfaced in and around various meetings and press conferences helped move the process forward in any measurable way. The potential for a quick resolution of the Name Dispute sent a series of shockwaves through the Greek political system throughout January. The one thing all non-governing Greek political parties could agree on was that PM Alexis Tsipras could not be allowed to reach a quick agreement with Skopje and grab another success – this time in foreign policy – to add to his pre-election record and of his main success story, the “official” end of direct economic supervision by Greece’s Eurozone and other creditors that is expected in August. That simple alignment of factors, in addition to the fact that the NATO Bucharest Summit in July is just six months away, basically makes an agreement with Skopje in 2018 a losing proposition for all Greek political parties not currently in the government coalition whether or not a deal is in the long-term national interest. This then opens up the question of whether widening the ruling coalition or calling a referendum – which itself will be a painful battle — on any name deal would offer a path forward or whether an agreement is even possible this year, given the narrow electoral base of the current Greek governing coalition. After returning from his late January date in Davos, Tsipras invested a few days trying fruitlessly to build broader domestic support for a resolution of the Name Dispute. Nimetz arrived in Athens on January 29th and met with all the relevant Greek government players, as well as some in the opposition who were of course (at least publically) unimpressed with the Nimetz approach before he departed on January 30. In Athens, Nimetz told the Greek press “We’ve been discussing these things for 25 years. Everyone knows what the issues are, I think there is a momentum here and we should seize on the momentum.” Foreign Minister Nikos Kotsias informed the Greek press that his ministry would be submitting a package of its own proposed solutions to Skopje in early February, with a focus on removing from the constitution and other documents whatever Athens sees as “irredentist.” Nimetz has said next to nothing about whether the Greek demand for an “erga omnes” (used by all points) application of any agreed name has been accepted in Skopje, leaving many to conclude that this key element has been quietly put in place. As much as the ruling Syriza-ANEL (Independent Greeks) coalition would like to ignore it, attention is steadily focusing on the massive rally being prepared for Athens Syntagma Square on February 4, with organisers claiming they expect a total of one million participants. If successful in demonstrating mass public discontent with the pace of talks, and it remains non-violent, the dynamics and speed of the Name Dispute talks will have to be adjusted. In addition, Greece’s Orthodox Church changed tack while Nimetz was still in the country on January 30, with Archbishop Ieronymos indicating the Church would support the rally after having held its support back for the January 21 Thessaloniki demonstration.

While in Skopje, Nimetz met with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, President Gjorge Ivanov, FM Nikola Dimitrov as well as DUI (coalition partner) leaders and opposition chief Hristijan Mickoski. As usual, Nimetz kept up the pressure for a quick settlement, telling the press, “This is the right time for a breakthrough on this issue, to solve it finally, and move forward in the region. The momentum is now. We probably have weeks and months.” A controversial issue surfaced during the Skopje stop which could become a deal breaker – the issue of identity and exactly what to call the citizens of FYROM/Macedonia after the name deal is agreed. Nimetz promptly declared that the identity subject was “outside his mandate.” A comment by Dimitrov during his Skopje joint press conference with Nimetz is particularly worrisome, as commentary from Athens indicates the Greek side will not likely accept a “name-only” deal. “If we reach a point where we need to touch the identity [of Macedonia] in order to reach a solution, there will unfortunately not be a solution. However, it will be very sad if two European countries in 2018 are not big enough to acknowledge this.” He also said “We have full understanding regarding this aspect. We want this issue to be solved in a way that is considered as dignified in both countries. We understand citizens in Greece who identify themselves as Macedonians, but our Greek neighbours and no one else in 21-century Europe can deny our right to be Macedonians and speak in the Macedonian language, part of the Slavic group of languages.” There is no need to analyze these remarks further to parse how much of the message was solely for domestic consumption. Suffice it to say these comments will reverberate wildly in the February 4 Athens demonstrations as “proof” there is simply no intention in Skopje to reach a lasting solution.

The US’ diplomats have so far remained relatively quiet on the issue. Although one of Greece’s leading television channels ran a pre-recorded interview with US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt while Nimetz was in Athens, and led off with the Name Dispute, the US Ambassador said nothing beyond the age-old mantra of strong US support for the Nimetz-UN process.

Washington may be preoccupied with other major global issues now, but other explanations for the lack of visible US activity are beginning to circulate. Balkan journalists in Washington have been aggressively pressing American officials whenever possible about reports of the resignation in January of State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Hoyt Yee, formerly responsible for US policy in the Balkans, who had been rumoured as the next ambassador designate either to Skopje or Sarajevo.

Needless to say, any confirmation hearings for a new US ambassador going to the Balkan region would have provided a field day for various groups to make the Name Dispute a major Washington news issue, something nobody in Athens, Skopje, or New York needs right now.