LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: Obligation of international community to guarantee safety in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said today that, due to frequent attacks on Serbs in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, it is the obligation of the international community to guarantee the safe life of all citizens. Dacic told reporters in the Foreign Ministry that the obligation of the international presence in Kosovo to protect the security, adding that this is the main reason why they are there. Children were even attacked last night, even a six-month-old baby. The obligation of the international community is to guarantee a safe life for all citizens, he said. What Serbia can do is protest, but it will not be better for citizens living there, he said, and reiterated that this is an issue for the international community – whether it wants to fulfill its obligations.

Djuric: Sponsors of so-called Kosovo independence created a monstrous formation (RTS)

“Entire Serbia is shocked with the rampaging against the Serbs in a series of incidents of the past days, where even expellees, natives, children and even babies have not been spared. There is no doubt that this is a direct consequence of the political climate created by the separatists in Pristina. It is necessary to undertake urgent measures so all families can be secure in Kosovo and Metohija. We are also horrified by the silence of competent international political and security institutions on the ground regarding the wave of violence against the Serbs, and this deepens the distrust into the intentions of part of the international community in the province. The Serbs in Staro Gracko, who have become the symbol of the suffering of our people in Kosovo and Metohija, are today once again victims of chauvinism and hysterical hatred, which was assisted by those who falsely present themselves as the guardians of order. The police have joined in the attack on Serb children and their parents, who non-selective and excessive use of force had led to the injuring of three Serb inhabitants, including one baby, which has demonstrated in right light the nature of the false state of Kosovo. The sponsors of the so-called Kosovo independence have created a monstrous formation where the police intervene against children with teargas. We are warning Pristina and those in the international community who are tolerating crimes of Albanian extremists, that Serbia will not tolerate violence against Serb, or any other children. We want spare young generations in the region from the horror, which we all witnessed only two decades ago, but two sides are necessary for peace and reason to prevail,” concluded the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric.

Jeremic: Vucic wants Kosovo in UN (N1/Beta/B92)

A comprehensive agreement with Albanians means only one thing – allowing Kosovo to become a member of the UN, the leader of the People’s Party (NS) Vuk Jeremic said. Jeremic told N1 on Wednesday that his party will do everything it can for this not to come to pass. “In this comprehensive agreement, there is nothing but Kosovo’s right to become a member of the UN, and if they get a seat in the UN, Albanians will never sit down again and discuss important topics, such as (Serb) property and Serb monasteries (in Kosovo),” Jeremic has been quoted by Beta in reaction to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s interview to Novosti earlier that there must be a broad consensus and the majority will of the society for this agreement to be reached.

During the interview, Vucic also called out members of Serbia’s former authorities – likely Jeremic himself, the foreign minister at the time – for “insisting on a stupid, irresponsible and frivolous question submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which made our position much more difficult”. In his statement to N1, Jeremic assessed that Vucic had personal interest in seeing Kosovo get a UN seat. “If we allow it, he will turn to Western partners and say: ‘See if someone else had the strength and courage to solve this, and since you can see I am ready even to do such things, I will now solve Bosnia for you, too – but I need three or four years, and do not criticize me about these minor issues – violating human rights, violating media freedoms, as I have proven that I can solve the most difficult question, and now I will solve Bosnia’,” Jeremic said. Jeremic said that Vucic wants to get another three or four years for him to throw his weight around Serbia – which must not be allowed.

Italian colonel says he fell ill with cancer in Kosovo (Novosti/B92)

Italian Red Cross Colonel Emerico Maria Laccetti has told Novosti that he had been diagnosed with a “giant lung tumor” upon returning from Kosovo. According to Laccetti, the tumor was a direct consequence of exposure to ionizing radiation that he experienced there. Depleted uranium ammunition was used by NATO during its bombing of Serbia, from March until June 1999. Laccetti left Kosovo and returned to Rome in July 1999. The task of his service was to provide assistance to the population in Kosovo and Metohija. He told the Belgrade daily that he often inhaled dust and particles immediately after an air strike. Laccetti said he started experiencing breathing problems as early as November of the same year, and was diagnosed with a giant tumor at the end of December. “I was hospitalized on January 1, while a biopsy sample was taken three days later. The diagnosis was a most severe form of neoplasia – non-Hodgkin lymphoma,” Laccetti told Novosti. By 13 January, the mass closed all functions in his neck and began to press on his heart. After the biopsy, he started chemotherapy and radio therapy, to which he reacted well, with the tumor decreasing by 95 percent. “Five percent of the tumor remained, and now I am under constant control, because a mass, literally ’round ceramics’, has been found in the tumor, the consequence of radiation and high temperatures that develop during depleted uranium missile explosions, which is known to belong to nuclear technology,” Laccetti said. He added that he also has serious problem with his joints and bones. One of his hips has been replaced with a prosthesis, while he is also experiencing problems with his elbows and shoulders. “I may have to have surgery on my other hip as well, and have a prosthesis put in,” Laccetti said. After a long legal battle, a court of Rome in 2009 gave Laccetti the status of a victim of duty, while the cause of his health problems was found to have been exposure to ionizing radiation. He received partial compensation only in 2012. Similar demands by other soldiers who fell ill and families of the victims did not go smoothly, writes the newspaper. Founder of the Military Observatory Domenico Leggero announced on March 24, 2009 that at that time, there had been 2,588 Italian soldiers who fell ill due to exposure to depleted uranium, and that 171 of them had died. Only after more than nine years after the bombing in Kosovo and Metohija, public protests, court appeals, and the findings of a commission established at that time, the first 30 million euros were given as compensation to the victims of depleted uranium. According to the latest data, more than 359 Italian soldiers have died and more than 4,000 have fallen ill since 1999 from exposure to depletion of uranium, a large number of whom had been deployed in Kosovo.  41-year-old Giuseppe de Biasi, is the latest victim of cancer from the ranks of the Italian military, who fell ill due to exposure to depletion of uranium. De Biasi had been deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1999), in Kosovo (2003), Afghanistan (2010) and Lebanon (2012), Novosti is reporting.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H HoR discusses EC’s Report on B&H (TV1)

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives (HoR) discussed on Wednesday the latest European Commission’s (EC) Report on B&H. Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Denis Zvizdic said during the discussion in the B&H HoR that assessments in the EC’s Report on B&H are almost identical to those in the reports on the countries which obtained the EU candidate status before 2014. Zvizdic also said that the 2018 Report on B&H is much more positive than all previous reports when clear negativities and delay on B&H’s path towards membership in the EU were established. “There was no assessment of regression in this report, while assessments for all seven criteria for all countries of the Western Balkans are almost identical,” Zvizdic told the B&H HoR. Representative of the Independent Bloc in the B&H HoR Senad Sepic stressed that current authorities and leaders in B&H failed to demonstrate that they have any kind of capacity as proven by the EC’s Report. SDP B&H representative in the B&H HoR Sasa Magazinovic wondered in whose interest it is for the public in B&H to not learn the truth that B&H will not obtain the candidate status, stressing that people who unfoundedly spread optimism promised that. SDA representative in the B&H HoR Nermina Kapetanovic deems as absurd the fact that B&H is not ready to adopt documents which would enable it to withdraw the EU grant funds. On the other hand, some of the MPs assessed that the B&H CoM is interpreting this report in a way that is too idealistic. According to members of the opposition parties, the ruling parties were stalling the discussion on this topic because it would prove that competent authorities did not do enough in the EU integration process.

Dodik: Sarajevo weakening my position for years (Srna)

RS President Milorad Dodik says it is true that the British intelligence services established a logistical and operative center in Sarajevo in order to weaken Dodik’s position ahead of the general election and points out that Sarajevo has been trying to weaken his position for years. “We are aware that the British have approved around 9 million pounds for the prevention of the Russian influence in the Balkans. If anyone influenced the Balkans, it was them and the Americans. The Russians are the kindest, as far as that is concerned. The Russians don’t have any kind of missions here,” Dodik told the press in Belgrade. He recalled that only Sputnik is the Russian media outlet in Belgrade while there are no Russian media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). “They have N1, RTL, Al Jazeera in B&H. They have them all, and Russia does not have a single media outlet. And then they say – prevention of the Russian influence. What Russian influence? The British come here for that reason,” said Dodik, adding that the British were constantly present in the region and always against Serbs. He said he respected Russia, the great Russian people and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that he also respected the Western presidents too, that he had no problem with meeting with anyone, if they wanted to meet with him. Dodik emphasized he respected Putin for agreeing to talk about a small RS via the institution of its President. “They (the West) are being arrogant because the little president of Republika Srpska won’t obey their orders. I won’t,” said Dodik. The RS President recalled that Sarajevo was working to weaken his position for years. “They have installed the Court and Prosecutor’s Office in order to judge us, the politicians. Those systems of ‘yellow revolutions’ and incriminating RS politicians are well known and we are aware of that,” said Dodik, adding that he had around 70 criminal reports at the moment. Dodik said that he had received ten criminal reports for his statement that “the Bosnian language does not exist” and added he would say it again. The RS President said that those who wanted something to have the designation “Bosnian” had to agree on what the “Bosnian language” was if they wanted Serbs in B&H and RS. “You will not create a ‘Bosnian nation,’ ‘Bosnian language’ or ‘Bosnian script” while we stand silent. Since we won’t remain silent, they sue us,” said the President.

Dodik: As Serb member of B&H Presidency I will put end to HR’s story that B&H is superior to entities; I expect RS and Serbia to become one state (RTRS)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik told reporters that he will soon become the Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency – not because he wants this post but in order to improve the position of the RS. He confirmed that he will then move the office of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency to Istocno Sarajevo. Dodik also said that he does not really care who will be elected the other two members of the B&H Presidency, nor will he try to influence their election, adding that he has no intention of softening his stances when it comes to the interests of Serbs. He was quoted as saying that, if he gets to be elected to this post, he will put an end to the story “imposed by the High Representative” that the entities are subordinated to B&H. “The story imposed by the High Representative, that B&H is something that is superior to the entities, will not be accepted for sure. I am sending them a message not to count on something like that, and I will win for sure,” Dodik said. Dodik explained the path of the RS referring to examples of the attempts aimed at transfer of competences, including the requests for police reform and “fifty-hour negotiations with foreigners”. He was quoted as saying that he expects the RS and Serbia to become one state in this century, explaining that the RS has all elements of statehood by all definitions. “I am aware that there will be fierce reactions in media, particularly the ones in Sarajevo, but we should end up as the RS and Serbia merged into a single territorial community in this century”, Dodik said. With Russia, Serbia and China as its friends, the RS would be the only one to survive “if someone turned off the light in B&H”, in his opinion. Asked whether the Serb and Croat people could be new allies in B&H. Dodik replied: “This is exactly where we started to defend Croats – not only for their own sake but also because of ourselves. As soon as Bosniaks confront Croats, it will be our turn.”

OHR, OSCE and several embassies: HDZ and SNSD will be responsible for spreading of corruption and crime (Dnevni avaz)

The OHR, the OSCE and the Embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, the UK and the US issued a joint press statement expressing deep concern over the fact that HDZ B&H and SNSD are uninterested in implementing the decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H on the Criminal Procedure Code of B&H. “It is clear that they are not concerned that their inaction will severely undermine the fight against corruption and organized crime in B&H. These parties have, through the amendments proposed by HDZ B&H, pushed for changes of the Criminal Procedure Code by the Parliament of B&H that are not in line with the international standards, while opposing amendments that would meet those standards and also assure prosecutorial and judicial effectiveness at B&H state level. Moreover, they have created procedural obstacles in the Parliament of B&H for the adoption of any amendments,” reads the joint statement and adds that HDZ B&H and SNSD are trying to create legal gaps and strip the state judicial institutions of the tools to effectively fight organized crime and corruption. “This approach makes these party leaders and their representatives in the Parliament of B&H directly responsible for the potential further expansion of organized crime and corruption throughout B&H to the detriment of all citizens,” reads the statement and urges B&H political parties to adopt the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code in line with the international standards.

Dodik: Most brutal meddling in Bosnia’s internal matters (Srna)

The statement by certain embassies and international organizations about the adoption of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is the most brutal meddling in the country’s internal affairs and inadmissible in any sovereign country in the world, Milorad Dodik, leader of SNSD and the President of Republika Srpska (RS), told Srna.

“The SNSD is not part of the parliamentary majority in the B&H parliament and does not have any kind of duty as an opposition party to support amendments to that law, which is advocated by the majority made exactly by those embassies. I don’t know why they need SNSD’s votes now when they didn’t need them for adopting some other solutions,” Dodik told Srna when asked to comment on a Wednesday statement by the Western embassies, Japan, Turkey, the Office of the High Representative and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe appealing to political parties to adopt amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code. The SNSD leader pointed out it was inadmissible and hypocritical that those countries were now stating their mind even though it was not up to them and that they would now like to accuse the SNSD of their own defeat. “We are a party which advocates a redefining of the B&H Prosecutor’s Office and Court, which have not justified their imposed existence so far, and we believe that cosmetic amendments to the law will not resolve one of the biggest problems in B&H. Due to the blind support of these embassies to the Party of Democratic Action (SDA), we now find ourselves in a dead-end street” emphasized Dodik. He said: “The SNSD does not intend to fix the blunders of those embassies which have themselves imposed the unconstitutional judicial institutions, the Court and Prosecutor’s Office.”

DF and GS sign coalition agreement on joint participation in elections (Hayat)

DF leader Zeljko Komsic and Civic Alliance (GS) leader Nihad Colpa signed on Wednesday the coalition agreement on joint participation of DF and GS in this year’s general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). According to signatories of the coalition agreement, the aim is to work on enabling Komsic to win the election for the post of the Croat member of B&H Presidency. DF and GS formed a coalition, as they announced, to prevent election victory of forces whose political performance is based on hate and divisions that could lead to decomposition of B&H. These two parties consider that the so-called ‘plan B’ of HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik precisely involves decomposition of the state. Komsic stated that coalition of DF and GS represents an attempt to consolidate civic-oriented policy. Komsic warned that election of both Covic and Dodik as members of B&H Presidency would mean putting B&H in the hands of forces that have been working on leading to its disappearance for over 25 years now. “My goal is to prevent them (Covic and Dodik) from completing what they have planned,” Komsic said.

Parliament speaker criticizes President’s moves (Hina)

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said on Wednesday he had a hard time understanding the latest move by President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic whose office sent an invitation for a joint meeting with the government to discuss demography, but without enclosing the relevant material and while a session of the National Security Council (attended by both the president and the prime minister) was taking place. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday that there would be no joint meeting of his government with President Grabar-Kitarovic to discuss measures to fight negative demographic trends, which she proposed on Monday. Commenting on Plenkovic’s response to her proposal, Grabar-Kitarovic said that she regretted his not having accepted her offer of cooperation and failing to recognize how serious the situation was regarding depopulation trends. She also said that in dealing with an issue as serious as that one, vanity should be put aside. Jandrokovic said on Wednesday that this time it was difficult for him to understand the president’s move. He added that tensions between the president and the prime minister were unnecessary. “Demography is a serious topic and it requires a serious approach. Sending the letter without enclosing material, without explaining the measures she is proposing – such an approach is not serious,” Jandrokovic said. Asked if tensions between the president and the prime minister could bring into question the Croatian Democratic Union’s support to Grabar-Kitarovic for her second term in office, Jandrokovic said that that was not being discussed. “The prime minister was very clear in his recent interview – if Grabar-Kitarovic decides to run for her send term in office, she will have the support of the HDZ and him personally. But both sides should behave in a fair fashion.” Jandrokovic resolutely dismissed the possibility of a grand coalition between the HDZ and the Social Democratic Party, describing media headlines about a grand coalition as mere spins.

Plenkovic: I will talk to the president after she returns from Italy (HRT)

The Croatian Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that he would talk to the President after she returns from her official visit to Italy. The PM dismissed opposition allegations that recent tensions between them was just show designed to draw attention away from other more pressing issues, such as Agrokor. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that the only show in Croatian politics was the one constantly being performed by the opposition in parliament. The prime minister was then asked by reporters if tensions between him and President Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic had reached a head. “We will reduce the tensions, this issue has become a little over-dramatized,” the prime minister replied. The President recently suggested the holding of a special session of government, which she would co-chaired with the prime minister, to address the issue of negative demographic trends in Croatia, as well as the issue of citizens with blocked accounts. The prime minister said that all his government welcomes any proposals that can contribute to reversing the negative demographic trend in the country. “We have 100 births daily and 150 funerals. So, there is no magic wand, no instant solution to this problem,” Plenkovic said, reiterating that his government is working on a comprehensive approach aimed at creating the prerequisites for Croatian families to have more children. “My government is continually working on it, if the president, her team, and hired experts have any ideas that can help, we will be happy to consider them” the Prime Minister concluded.

US warns about Ustasha glorification and Holocaust denial (Hina)

Glorifying the WWII Ustasha regime, downplaying and denying of the Holocaust as well problems with the restitution of the Jewish property are the main objections to Croatia in the latest US State Department report on religious freedoms in 2017, released on Wednesday.

The State Department releases the annual report based on information gathered from government officials, NGOs, representatives of the Church, the academic community and the press. The part referring to Croatia cites a number of cases of the glorification of the Ustasha regime and denial of the Holocaust in 2017 – from the placement of the controversial plaque at Jasenovac to far-right rallies in Zagreb and a concert of controversial pop singer Marko Perkovic Thompson in Slunj. “Some Jewish community leaders said there were incidents of significant historical revisionism and downplaying of the country’s role in the Holocaust, and expressed dissatisfaction with how the government responded to cases of anti-Semitism, such as the placement of the controversial plaque at Jasenovac,” reads the report. The report also cites attacks on Croatian Serbs and the desecration of Serb Orthodox churches in the country. The report also notes that Serb Orthodox Church (SOC) Patriarch Irinej called on the Croatian government and Catholic clergy to respond to crimes against Croatian Serbs and to address what he described as the desecration of SOC churches in the country. A large portion of the report is dedicated to the official commemoration for victims of the WWII-era Jasenovac death camp. For the second year in a row, Jewish and Serb (largely Orthodox) leaders announced they would not participate in the official ceremony, but would hold separate commemorations, the report said. “The leaders cited dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of response to a veterans group’s placement of a plaque, in November 2016, bearing the Ustasha-era salute ‘Za Dom Spremni’ (For the Homeland, Ready, ZDS) near the site of the camp,” the report said. “Following the boycott, Prime Minister Plenkovic said he regretted the placement of the plaque and that it was the lasting task of the government to develop a tolerant and democratic society. In September, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Plenković both condemned the plaque, and the government relocated it to a veterans’ cemetery in the nearby town of Novska; the government did not make a determination on the legality of the use of the controversial Ustasha salute,” the report said. The report also notes that in February the far-right extra-parliamentary Autochthonous Croatian Party of Rights (A-HSP) staged a march in Zagreb during which party members waved flags bearing an unofficial coat of arms associated with the fascist Ustasha movement. The procession of approximately 30 participants also flew an A-HSP party flag emblazoned with the ZDS Ustasha salute.The report underlined that, in August, singer Marko Perkovic Thompson led pro-Ustasha chants during a concert in Slunj commemorating the country’s Victory and Homeland Day. Police filed misdemeanor charges against him for violating public peace and order, but the court later acquitted him saying that the singer did not promote hate based on nationality or religion. The report also focused on the restitution of Jewish communal properties such as cultural centers, synagogues, and cemeteries, as well as private property, and creation of a claims process for victims. The law does not allow citizens whose property was confiscated during the Holocaust era to seek compensation or restitution, as it excludes the period of 1941-45 from claims. The law also does not allow noncitizens to file new property claims, since a legal deadline for such claims expired in 2003 and has not been renewed, the report said.

Three Croatians accused of displaying Nazi insignia to face trial in Austria (Hina)

Three of five Croatian nationals who are currently in custody in Klagenfurt, Austria for displaying banned WWII insignia during a memorial ceremony at Bleiburg in mid-May will go on trial in late June, a Klagenfurt court said on Wednesday. One of the five accused will go on trial on June 19 and two will stand trial on June 29, court spokeswoman Eva Maria Jost-Draxl told Hina. Their remand in custody was extended last week on the grounds that they might try to escape and repeat the crime they are charged with. One of the accused has appealed the detention order. The five accused are charged with using a Nazi salute and displaying Nazi SS insignia.

The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has said in a statement that it is in contact with the detained Croatian nationals, their lawyers and families. The Croatian Embassy has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the detained Croatian nationals have the necessary consular protection and to adequately protect their interests, according to the statement.

Markovic: We’re satisfied with the results from the Summit in Sofia (CDM)

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said, during the Prime Minister’s Hour, that the EU- Western Balkans Summit, held on May 17, in Sofia, confirmed that the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is of mutual interest and that, as far as Montenegro is concerned, it is of great importance that the construction of the Adriatic – Ionian transportation corridor had been integrated into the Summit. “I’d like to focus today to the other sphere of this summit-  perspectives of the development of Montenegro within the European process. Good traffic flow at the borders, economic and trade cooperation, exchange of goods and services are very important for the future of our country. It’s up to us to start doing something regarding these issues, through initiatives and projects, with strong support of the EU and its Member States. In this context, construction of the so-called “Blue highway” is of great importance for Montenegro”, said Markovic. He said that he talked to the highest official representatives of the EU Member States. “I talked to the chancellors of Germany and Austria, and to the prime ministers of Finland and the Netherlands about all this issues and plans we have in the integration process. We all agreed that a long negotiation phase is ahead of us. I’d like to share with you the conclusion that Montenegro has the reputation of being the constructive factor in the Region. It’s our quality, welcomed by all partners,” he pointed out. The Prime Minister was asked about what is the government doing in order to abolish the obligation of introducing border insurance for the vehicles for the citizens of Montenegro and Kosovo. He replied that Kosovo wasn’t member of the Green card system and that it didn’t recognize the green card as the proof of the insurance. “We’ve talked about this several times with the representatives of the government of Kosovo all with the aim to find an appropriate solution. The Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs started an initiative for finding a model for overcoming this problem. I also requested the intervention of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” said the Prime Minister. As far as the environment is concerned, the Government is working on the construction of modern facilities for the wastewater  management along with the construction of contemporary plumbing and sewerage network in all Montenegrin towns.

Krivokapic returns to the parliament (CDM)

Just until a couple of days ago, leader of the Socialist Democratic Party, Ranko Krivokapic, didn’t even want to hear about ending the boycott and returning to the Parliament. But, a miracle happened and now he wants to come back and says that it’s the only way to create conditions for fair and free elections. However, the truth is slightly different. Krivokapic realized that he risks eliminating his party from the political scene if he continues avoiding the parliament. He chose wisely. He’ll come back to the parliament and use the charisma and knowledge of Draginja Vuksanovic who brought the SDP back into life at the presidential elections. He also knows that he can save his own position only if he participates in the work of the parliament.

Miodrag Lekic, leader of DEMOS, also announced his come-back.

President Ivanov refuses erga omnes name solution (MIA)

A solution to Macedonia’s name under ‘erga omnes’ (overall use) condition is not acceptable for President Gjorge Ivanov, his office said in a press release on Wednesday. “The President’s stance is one of principle and at the same time coincides with the positions of all Macedonia’s Presidents thus far. His stance is that he doesn’t accept a solution to the name issue for overall use or erga omnes” the press release reads. It also notifies that Ivanov is set to meet Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov on Thursday.

Basha blames government for obstructing Accession Talks (ADN)

The chairman of the Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha accused the Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday for hindering the negotiations with the European Union. According to him, Premier is trying to protect the former and the current Interior Ministers respectively, both accused of involvement in drug trafficking. Basha called the action and the government a betrayal one and mentioned that the time has come to take the Rama government down. Democratic Party requires the resignation of the Interior Minister, Fatmir Xhafaj due to his brother’s links with drug trafficking. While this party urges for the arrest of the former minister, Saimir Tahiri for drug trafficking and corruption.

Accession Talks, Austria without a clear answer yet (ADN)

The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, together with the Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, held a joint press conference on Wednesday. Regarding the opening of accession talks for Albania, Kurz said that does not have a clear answer but according to him, the country is in the right direction towards integration. “There are some EU member states that does not have a final answer for the opening of the accession talks with Albania. We must emphasize that Albania has done so much in these years. Negotiations are on the right track because this is what the Commission has said, and that is what it is worth. We will support Albania financially to fight illegal migration, and we will also assist it in bilateral relations with new police, together with the Minister of Internal Affairs,” said the Austrian Chancellor. Right after that, Prime Minister Rama, reacted on this topic by saying that Albania needs the Austrian cooperation to avoid the scenes that shocked Europe in 2015. “We have a flow that is growing alarmingly, but for the time being it has been completely controlled by us. However, we need close and immediate cooperation to avoid the scenes that shocked Europe in 2015. We have full agreement on a close cooperation with Austria and other countries interested in this process,” said Rama.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Erdoğan’s Europe campaign and its effects in Bosnia (Daily Sabah, by Burak Yalim, 31 May 2018)

Erdoğan’s visit to Sarajevo drew a lot of attention from both sides of the political spectrum, and the debate around the visit is still ongoing in Bosnia

Endless discussions and criticism were triggered by the announcement of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Sarajevo on May 20 and the declaration of his participation to 6th General Assembly of Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) as the honorary speaker to address voters from the Turkish diaspora. Politicians, analysts and journalists have been discussing Erdoğan’s visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina from different angles. Opposition circles both in Bosnia and Turkey are especially dwelling on this subject. President Erdoğan’s visit was announced while discussions were starting on whether or not the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) pre-election activities for Turkish voters abroad would be realized.

During campaigns for the constitutional referendum in 2017, the AK Party was banned in some European countries. Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya was even prevented from meeting with Turkish citizens in the Netherlands. Not surprisingly, the same comments came from European politicians after the declaration of a snap election on June 24 in Turkey. Austrian Prime Minister Sebastian Kurtz said, “We won’t let Turkish politicians organize pre-election activities in Austria.” Right around the same time, President Erdoğan stated on a TV program that he is “planning to attend an international organization’s meeting in which several thousands of [members of the] Turkish diaspora will be gathered from all around Europe.”Erdoğan’s visit to Sarajevo drew so much attention not only because of he is the president of the Republic of Turkey, but also, and mostly, because he is the chairman of the AK Party and a presidential candidate in the June 24 elections. On the other hand, the announcement that Erdoğan will be the guest of Bakir Izetbegovic increased the relevance of the visit due to the elections agenda of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Izetbegovic is, of course, a member of the presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the president of Party of Democratic Action (SDA), which is the oldest and the biggest Bosniak party in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Recently, the election commission of Bosnia-Herzegovina announced that the general elections will be held on Oct. 7, 2018. The repercussions of Erdoğan’s trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina might be divided into two groups, one of which came through the main opposition Party of Democratic Action (SDA) and eternal opposition circles of Erdoğan. Turkey, because of its foreign policy on the Balkans, specifically Bosnia, might be criticized for having only one actor as a partner – Muslims in general and Bosniaks in Bosnia-Herzegovina – but which other global or regional actor (the EU, Russia, U.S.) has been setting out that kind of prospective and diversified policy toward the region or privately in Bosnia-Herzegovina? It is no secret that Germany supports Croats more than any other nation and Russia is backing Serbs as both sides claim historical, religious and cultural ties between each other. Sometimes analysts have been at a loss between imagination and reality. This is despite the fact that Turkey approaches the Balkans with as much diversity as possible and Turkish investments in Serbia are a clear proof of that kind of policy.

The Turkish diaspora and Bosnia

The SDA’s main opposition, the Union for a Better Future’s (SBB) deputy president Damir Arnaut waited for an opportunity to blame the SDA’s good relations with the Turkish authorities. “Bosnians are not a national subject that can be visited without their knowledge,” he said. The second lucky one was Sadık Ahmetovic, an old SDA member, citing that, “If everyone comes to our country in order to organize political meetings, Bosnia would lose its sovereignty.” Of course Milorad Dodik, president of the Republika Srpska, (abbreviated as RS, one of the two entities in Bosnia-Herzegovina) asked about Erdogan’s pre-election rally in Sarajevo and luckily found a chance to blame Bakir Izetbegovic.First of all, Erdoğan was welcomed by the one of the three members of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegovic, at the presidential building in which ministers of both countries held meetings on several issues. Secondly, Erdogan was invited as honorary speaker to the Union of European Turkish Democrats (UETD) general assembly and nothing can be as normal as a nongovernmental organization organizing its meeting anywhere in the world with the required permission of the local authorities. Third, as previous examples show, any international leader can visit Bosnia any time and hold meeting with related societies. Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, the president of Croatia , visits Mostar whenever she wants and organizes meetings with Bosnian Croats. The same example can be applied for Alexander Vucic, president of Serbia. Moreover, officials from the EU institutions also pay visits to Bosnia-Herzegovina and set meetings with anyone in any context. Lately, the iron lady of Russia, Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of the Russian Parliament’s upper house, visited Bosnia-Herzegovina and held meetings with presidency members as well as addressing the Parliament and was welcomed by RS President Milorad Dodik. One can claim that these are not political gatherings but should be aware of Boris Tadic and Vuk Jeremic’s appearances during elections in 2010 with Milorad Dodik’s election in Doboj as well. Numerous examples can be found of foreign leaders visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina and organizing meetings with their related communities. Erdogan’s visit was the latest. Dodik openly invited the Bosnian-Serb immigrants to Austria to vote in the presidential elections in December 2016 for the nominees of Norbert Hofer, the neo-Nazi Liberal Party of Austria.The second group, the eternal opposition to Erdoğan, positioned themselves as the protector of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Euro-Atlantic perspective. According to them, relations between Erdoğan’s Turkey and the EU and the U.S. are not going very well. Furthermore, Euro-Atlantic powers are not fond of Erdoğan anymore, so Bosnia should be careful with its relations with him. Firstly, the basement of the EU is shaking with its policies toward migrants and increasing right-wing neo-Nazi politics which cause Islamophobia. The main motivation of the EU is democratic standards and human rights, however nowadays and especially after the Syrian crisis and a huge flow of emigrants from Syria, Europeans have lost their compasses. It should be remembered that before the immigrant crisis and the increase of right-wing politics, EU countries were open to Erdoğan and even welcomed his political campaigns. The protector of Euro-Atlantic interests in Bosnia-Herzegovina should know that Erdoğan’s Turkey is the biggest supporter of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s NATO membership while Germany was opposing the implementation of the Membership Action Plan (MAP). One should remember that Turkey has always been supporting territorial integrity, the EU’s perspective and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s NATO membership.

Treating the legal as illegal

Nevertheless, Erdoğan started his visit with a welcome by Bakir Izetbegovic at the International Sarajevo Airport. Even though it was a one-day visit, Erdoğan managed to attend several meetings. His program started with a meeting with Izetbegovic at the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina. After, he visited Alija Izetbegovic’s graveyard and then went to greet crowds at Bascarsija. He then addressed tens of thousands of people at the 6th General Assembly of UETD at Zetra Olympic Hall and finally gave a speech at the International University of Sarajevo, where he awarded an honorary doctorate. Discussions on Erdogan’s visit to Sarajevo and meeting with the Turkish diaspora are still ongoing. The messages that Erdoğan gave in his speech to the Turkish diaspora are very important. Recommendations to the Turkish diaspora in Europe such as getting citizenship, being part of society, taking an initiative and being active citizens are really important in terms of lobbying and influence in decision-making processes.

The debate around Erdoğan visit is still continuing in Bosnia. The sister branch of UETD in Sarajevo, which is the Union of the Balkan Democrats (UEBD), was the host of the general assembly and is now facing both applause and criticism. The head of the organization in Sarajevo, Emine Secerovic-Kaslı who is deputy director of STAV magazine, is under great pressure after the event. Erdoğan started his speech at Zetra Olympic Hall as expected by criticizing European countries for their undemocratic approach toward his rally plans in Berlin, Vienna and so on. He said that Bosnia-Herzegovina shows a democratic stand by providing a chance to meet with the Turkish diaspora in Sarajevo.

* International Relations Studies Association TUİÇ, Ph.D. student at International University of Sarajevo

German publishers, politicians lobby against Serbia’s textbook law (DW, 30 May 2018)

Serbia has introduced a new law on school textbooks after heavy lobbying by German publishers and politicians. The measure is likely to increase profits for publishers, but critics say it opens the door to corruption. “The new law, if implemented, would make us consider cancelling all our activities in Serbia,” read a letter by Phillip Haussmann, head of German publishing giant Klett, that was sent to Serbia’s then-prime minister and now president, Aleksandar Vucic, in 2015. The letter was arguing against legislation to reform Serbia’s costly textbook system. Haussmann argued that if Klett were to leave Serbia, hundreds of jobs would be lost, which would send a bad signal to other investors. He also reminded Vucic of an earlier conversation that he supposedly had in Stuttgart, in which the Serbian leader is said to have promised to amend the law. At the time, then-Education Minister Srdjan Verbic put forth legislation to allow teachers to pick their textbooks every four years instead of every year. He also wanted to introduce fixed prices. In addition to that, Verbic wanted to put an end to the practice of publishers — Klett most of all — trying to win over teachers with expensive gifts and trips. It wasn’t unusual to influence educators by giving them a tablet “for schoolwork” or to invite them to textbook presentations in exotic locales. Klett is believed to account for roughly half of the €50 million ($58 million) worth of textbooks sold in Serbia every year, largely because it has been acquiring Serbian publishers. German publisher Klett makes millions of euros every year selling textbooks in Serbia.

German EU parliamentarians involved

Haussmann’s letter was brought to light last week through research conducted by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). Trade Minister Rasim Ljajic also recently confirmed that he was approached about the issue by Germany’s ambassador to Serbia at the time. At the request of Klett, German EU-parliamentarian David McAllister sent a letter to the EU committee in Belgrade’s parliament. “I was told that the planned change of law could potentially violate the laws of free competition,” McAllister clarified in writing when asked.

‘I’m not crazy’

Former Education Minister Verbic said there were massive “pressure, threats and intimidation attempts” from some publishers. He made a statement in February 2016 to the Anti-Corruption Agency that was sent to the general prosecutor, who decided five months later that the publishers didn’t break any laws.  Klett boss Haussmann said that his company always stayed within the law and merely wanted to make its position heard. “That is hardly ever as necessary as it was in Serbia,” Haussmann told BIRN. “But I definitely didn’t threaten anybody, since I’m not crazy.”

The original law made it through parliament in September 2015. But the changes called for by the publishers weren’t far behind. In Serbia’s 2016 elections, Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party won a large majority and Verbic lost his post as education minister. In February of this year, his successor attended a Klett textbook presentation together with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. In April, the contested law was changed. Now teachers can request that students purchase new textbooks every year again — and they are officially allowed to accept “small” gifts, but there’s no definition for what counts as small.

Parents under pressure

Many parents in Serbia struggle to afford the high costs of new textbooks. Students and parents are expected to pay for them out of their own pockets, and one set can cost up to €200, depending on which publishers’ offer a teacher accepts. That’s a lot for a country in which four out of five workers make less than €400 per month after taxes. And with textbooks changing from year to year, older children can’t pass down their books to their younger siblings.

“Maybe it was my political inexperience, but I was deeply disappointed by the European officials I talked to about the textbook law,” Verbic told DW. “Instead of focusing on education, they were always talking about ‘foreign investments’ and ‘free markets.’ That wasn’t normal for me.”

He believes the initial legislation was a good opportunity to reign in textbook prices. “But apparently, that can’t be done,” Verbic said. “In the end, the law that was rated good by all independent institutions was replaced with a new one that these institutions find unacceptable.”

It’s not the first time that laws in Serbia were likely altered after lobbying by German business interests. Government critics claim that in 2014, labor laws were changed to appease Western European investors who find cheap labor in Serbia and receive high subsidies from the state.