LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: No red lines set by US administration (TV Pink/Tanjug)

There are no longer imposed solutions to the Kosovo issue or ‘red lines’ set by the US administration, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said, adding that Serbia’s international image had changed thanks to its responsible and consistent policy. In an interview to TV Pink, she noted there were still important partners, such as Germany, that disagreed with the ‘no red lines’ concept and that dialogue with such partners needed to be continued to insist on the significance of a compromise solution offered by Serbia.

Brnabic: We are trying to close Pandora’s box (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday at the closing of the panel “Towards a better-connected region”, within the eighth Belgrade Security Forum, that status quo regarding the Kosovo issue is not in our country’s interest. Brnabic pointed out that there are many reasons why it is absolutely not in our interest to freeze the conflict in Kosovo and Metohija. Serbia has a need in many areas to take a step forward in the 21st century, which is not possible with Kosovo’s status quo. We need investments and no one will invest in an area where there is a danger of a potential conflict, explained Brnabic. She stressed that the exchange of territories between Serbia and Kosovo would not be the opening of Pandora’s box because it was opened 10 years ago, when a group of Kosovo politicians unilaterally proclaimed the independence of the province and a group of countries rushed to recognize it. We are now trying to close the box, she pointed out, adding that whatever the outcome, the solution for Kosovo must be a compromise, and the placing of red lines in the process of seeking a solution is not helpful.
Brnabic: Serbia appreciates Slovakia’s principled position on non-recognition of Kosovo (B92)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic underlined during the talks with Slovak Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Information Richard Rasi, that Serbia highly appreciates the partnership and support which Slovakia gives to our country on its path to EU membership.

Brnabic informed the Slovak minister about the latest provocations and unacceptable actions of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina, and stressed that Serbia appreciates the principled and consistent position of Slovakia on the non-recognition of unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija. Rasi underlined that the policy and support of Slovakia towards the territorial integrity of Serbia remains unchanged, and announced new projects and strategy for further improvement of cooperation, especially in the field of digitization and development of information technologies.

Popovic Ivkovic: So-called state Kosovo is not for Interpol (Kurir/Tanjug)

The very examining and contemplating about the request of the so-called state of Kosovo for Interpol membership unambiguously points to the politicization of this professional police organization, the State Secretary in the Serbian Interior Ministry Biljana Popovic Ivkovic wrote in an op-ed for Kurir. Eventual admittance would be an absolute precedent that represents the harshest violation of international law. She says that eventual admittance would not only violate UNSCR 1244, but also Interpol’s rules, because an unambiguous decision was passed at the Interpol General assembly last year that only UN member states and observers can be part of Interpol, while the so-called state of Kosovo doesn’t fulfill at all these conditions, among numerous other conditions. He says that Serbia, as an active member of Interpol, is conducting a serious diplomatic battle and is doing everything to prevent the admittance of the so-called state of Kosovo in Interpol. If the so-called state of Kosovo enters Interpol, there is fear from this organization being criminalized, taking into account the existence of close ties of the highest Kosovo officials with people from criminal areas. One should not forget that they are at the same time former high leaders of the terrorist organization that is responsible for the death of many Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, said Popovic Ivkovic.

Austria against Kosovo army, Pristina’s Interpol membership (B92/Tanjug)

Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache has spoken out against Kosovo’s membership in Interpol, as well as against the formation of an army in Kosovo. Strache pointed this out after his meeting with Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic in Vienna on Friday. At a joint press conference, Strache said that questions regarding Kosovo’s membership in Interpol and formation of an army cannot be given a positive answer until the issue of Kosovo has been resolved at the UN level. According to him, there are open issues in the Balkans that need to be solved and not allowed to enter the EU. “This is the responsibility of Serbia and Kosovo, which should contribute to the peaceful resolution of open issues,” the high-ranking Austrian official remarked. He recalled that talks had been conducted, and that even a possible solution that included “a land swap” had been considered – “with the aim of establishing sustainable peace. “That seems to be on the ice now – but it shows that there are genuine initiatives that can lead to reaching an agreement, if both sides have the good will and, above all, if the international community respects and accepts the results of an agreement,” Strache underlined. “Open border issues” need to be resolved peacefully, through agreement, and there is full support from Austria for that, he stressed. At the same time, he emphasized that in resolving open issues, Serbian interests should be taken into account, which are being heard in Austria. “Serbia is undoubtedly one of the most important countries in the Balkans and a guarantor of peace and stability in the region. Relations between Serbia and Austria are already good now, but they need to be deepened. Next year, we celebrate 150 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations,” the vice chancellor remarked, and added: “I think that Serbia is on a positive path towards the EU, and Austria will support it.”

According to him, the European perspective of Serbia and other countries of the Western Balkans is in Austria’s own interest. Strache also recalled that Austria is one of the largest investors in Serbia with about 400 companies employing around 18,000 workers.

Tanaskovic: Pretensions for Serb to become “Kosovo” via historical forgeries (Radio Belgrade)

Former Serbian ambassador in UNESCO Darko Tanaskovic told Radio Belgrade that the issue of Kosovo’s admittance in UNESCO has not been resolved. He says that this is the strategic goal of the authorities in Pristina and their international sponsors. He expects that the request for Kosovo’s admittance in UNESCO will be launched again next year. “This would then imply, perhaps in somewhat different circumstances, everything that we had gone through in Paris in 2015 and 2017, where our cultural heritage is in focus, and not only this. This is a political issue, whether a sufficient number of votes can be ensured, despite everything, for Kosovo to be admitted in UNESCO. My impression and estimate is that, when this request would be submitted today, Kosovo certainly would not receive a two-third majority at the UNESCO General Assembly,” said Tanaskovic.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik and Covic agree on urgent formation of program coalition (BHT1)

SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic held an informal meeting in Banja Luka on Sunday evening. In a post on his official Twitter account, Covic wrote that he agreed with Dodik on urgent formation of a program coalition that would be dedicated to working on implementation of reforms on the EU path. Covic pointed out that the coalition should also have a clear and harmonized approach to solving the issue of amending the Election Law of B&H, assessing that this law showed all of its weaknesses in the recently held general elections.

Cvijanovic: Authorities need to be formed as soon as possible (RTRS)

The newly elected Republika Srpska (RS) President Zeljka Cvijanovic said that she expects the biggest support from Serbia, adding that she also expects from the West to get rid of stereotypes about B&H. Cvijanovic underlined the importance to implement election results in the RS and to form authorities within the shortest possible deadline. Asked whether she expects a more inclined relation of the US to the RS, Cvijanovic answered that she expects higher understanding for the situation in B&H and “leaving false stereotypes”. Cvijanovic underlined: “This will not be an easy or a fast process, but many things seemed impossible a while ago and then it became possible over the time. We do not demand any privileged position for ourselves and we are decisive to persistently seek partners who will build a more realistic approach to this area”. Cvijanovic also told that there is always the need to be consistent in preservation of the constitutional position of the RS, due to intentions in Sarajevo and part of the international community, to diminish its political significance and constitutional capacity. Cvijanovic assessed that problems between Croats and Bosniaks are expected and in her opinion, the problems will keep on growing.

SDA Srebrenica calls on international institutions to oppose Head of Srebrenica Municipality (RTRS)

SDA in Srebrenica has called on the US Embassy in B&H, the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and other international institutions to oppose legally elected Head of Srebrenica Municipality Mladen Grujicic (SNSD) and protect Bosniak returnees, accusing Grujicic of undermining the Day of Killing of Bosniaks as an institution. Grujicic and representatives of other Bosniak parties in Srebrenica stressed that the case is about an attempt of former local officials from SDA to move focus from spending of money for organization of July 11 as the Day of Killing of Bosniaks. Commenting on the issue, Grujicic said that it becomes disputable now if the money for marking of July 11 was actually spent for its real purpose, adding that he will not give up on detailed analysis of costs. He stressed that this year’s budget for organization of the event of marking of July 11 in the amount of 125,000 Euros was spent under suspicious circumstances.

Matthew Palmer says B&H represents serious concern of US, expresses hope new authorities will be formed rapidly (TV1)

US Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Matthew Palmer commented on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) at the Belgrade Security Forum on Friday. Among other things, Palmer said that B&H represents a serious concern of the USA, stressing that the USA works with new B&H leadership in order to address the challenges. He expressed hope that new authorities will be formed rapidly and that they will focus on economic and political reforms. “We see corrupted politicians who use nationalist rhetoric to intensify divisions among people. Large number of young and successful people leaves B&H since they do not see future in the country. Future in B&H cannot be expected with this exodus and this trend must be changed. However, corruption is the main challenge for the whole region. The USA works with local partners to strengthen the rule of law and independence of judiciary in order to overcome the impunity as a way of thinking”, Palmer stated. Palmer said that the US will react in case someone tries to jeopardize the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) in B&H.

“Let me be clear. As a guarantor of the DPA, the US continues to be committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H. We will strongly confront anyone who puts in danger the Dayton institutions. Once we see the Dayton and Dayton institutions being endangered, we will react” Palmer was quoted as saying.

Izetbegovic refuses to approve signing of memorandum of understanding with US on intelligence data exchange (Dnevni avaz)

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic has rejected and prevented signing of a memorandum of understanding between B&H and the US on data exchange related to the security checks on terrorism. An unnamed source from the Presidency of B&H and the Ministry of Security of B&H told the daily that Izetbegovic refused to give his consent to the signing at a consultative meeting of the Presidency members. He allegedly tried to justify his move by saying that he wants B&H to sign an agreement, not a memorandum on this issue. Daily learned that the Ministry of Security of B&H, which sent the memorandum to the Presidency, did not receive an official information on the reasons for rejection of their proposal. The source stated that the memorandum would additionally improve fight against terrorism through exchange of confidential information between the two countries. By rejecting the memorandum, Izetbegovic also prevented significant investments in certain projects, trainings and equipment investments for the domestic law-enforcement. “Everything is on hold now. But we are definitely losers here, because by preventing signing of the memorandum we are not allowed access to correct and up to date confidential information and intelligence data in possession of one of the biggest powers in the world,” stated the source, and concluded that Izetbegovic’s true reasons for such move remain unknown.

Parliament endorses decision to initiate constitutional revision (MIA)

The parliament endorsed late Friday the decision to initiate constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement by the required two-third majority. Eighty out of 120 MPs voted in favor of the decision. Afterwards, VMRO-DPMNE MP group coordinator Dragan Danev asked for an individual vote, which concluded with the same result – 80 MPs saying ‘Yes’ and 39 ‘No’. Eight MPs from the opposition voted in favor of the decision, this securing the required majority. In addition, the parliament obligated the government to prepare the draft-amendments to the Constitution and submit them to the parliament within 15 days. In addition, the parliament obligated the government to prepare the draft-amendments to the Constitution and submit them to the parliament within 15 days.  “Today is a historic day for our country. We have made history together. Our visions for a better life in a better country will become a reality,” said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev after Friday’s vote in parliament for endorsement of the initiative for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. He thanked the MPs who supported the motion, especially those from VMRO-DPMNE, and voiced expectation that their number will increase in the second stage of drafting the constitutional amendments. “People are proud to have this Parliament. The decision makes heroes out of these people. Together we have made history,” said Zaev. According to him, large obstacles standing between MPs have now been overcome. “Now let’s make the long road shorter,” said Zaev regarding the EU and NATO accession path. He noted there is a lot of work ahead and added his conviction that “together we will herald a bright future. Macedonia’s road is clear. The doors are open. Welcome!” underlined Zaev.  Asked about the reports over pressure exercised on MPs, he urged all institutions to make the proper checks. Regarding the support obtained from the MPs who are defendants in several court cases, Zaev said everyone is innocent until proven guilty. “Now is the time to unite. It is high time we built this unity,” stressed Zaev.  Asked if there were MPs who agreed to support the motion but failed to vote in favor of it, the PM said “Yes, there were.” Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has congratulated Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev after the parliament endorsed late Friday the initiative for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. “Congratulations my friend Zoran Zaev. Tonight’s vote is a big step towards our common success. A very important step to a peaceful and prosperous future for our people,” tweeted PM Tsipras.

EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn welcomed in a joint statement the Parliament’s decision to initiate constitutional changes towards implementation of the Prespa Agreement. “Today, the Parliament took a very important step towards the implementation of the Prespa agreement through the vote launching the constitutional changes procedure. We now expect the national procedures for the implementation of the agreement to continue without any delays, towards the adoption of the constitutional changes” say Mogherini and Hahn in the statement. They add that the European Union strongly supports the historic agreement signed by Prime Ministers Zaev and Tsipras in June. “It took political courage, leadership and responsibility to resolve one of the oldest disputes in the region. This determination was confirmed with the vote today. This is a truly unique opportunity for decisively moving the country forward on its European Union path as well as for reconciliation in the region. The European Union will continue to fully support and accompany the country, all its citizens and its institutions” reads the joint statement.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the Pprliament’s decision to initiate constitutional changes arising from the Prespa Agreement. “I welcome the vote by parliament in Skopje on the proposed constitutional changes. It’s up to the government and political leaders to complete national procedures on the name agreement and seize this historic opportunity to bring the country into NATO,” tweeted Stoltenberg.

The United States have welcomed the Parliament’s decision to initiate constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. “The United States welcomes the decision by Macedonia’s parliament to initiate the constitutional changes needed to implement the Prespa Agreement with Greece. The United States believes that the Prespa Agreement is a historic opportunity to advance stability, security, and prosperity throughout the region” the Department of State said in a press statement.

Michael Roth, Minister of State for Europe at the German Federal Foreign Office, has welcomed last night’s vote in the Macedonian Parliament over the initiative for constitutional revision.

“Great news! Statesmanship wins over party games! The Macedonian Parliament voted with 2/3 majority for the Prespa Agreement. A huge step forward towards EU and NATO. Congratulations to Zoran Zaev, Nikola Dimitrov, Bujar Osmani and all Macedonian friends,” tweeted Roth.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has welcomed the agreement reached in the Macedonian Parliament that enabled the two-thirds majority required for endorsement of a decision to initiate constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. “This gives strong wind in the back of the efforts to start the EU accession talks with North Macedonia next year,” says Kurz. He adds that approximation of the Western Balkans to the EU is an important priority of the Austrian EU Presidency, saying the Union will be complete only after these countries join.

European Council President Donald Tusk has congratulated Macedonia for the endorsement of the constitutional revision, saying the country is a step closer to the Euro-Atlantic community.

“One vote, one step closer to assuming your deserved spot in our transatlantic community,” tweeted Tusk in Macedonian.

“I would like to express my enormous satisfaction from last night’s result in the Parliament” UN envoy Matthew Nimetz told following the endorsement of the initiative for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. “This is big progress not only for your country but also for the region and Europe. I would like to congratulate all political forces in the country and specifically its leadership for this important step,” says Nimetz. He expresses pleasure from the democratic system’s effectiveness and the democratic spirit of citizens. “I hope the remaining steps will be smooth in order to complete this process. I encourage all political leaders to work together and constructively towards finalizing the deal and continue its implementation. On behalf of the Secretary-General I can assure you that the United Nations are prepared, as always, to help you in this process,” says Nimetz.

Good news coming from Macedonia, says Member of European Parliament (MEP) Eduard Kukan after the parliament endorsed the initiative for constitutional revision arising from the Prespa Agreement. “It is the beginning of a process, but a very important step forward. I would like to congratulate those who supported the Prespa Agreement, showed leadership and who voted for a European future of their country” tweeted Kukan.

“Macedonia is a step closer to EU and NATO after adopting the initiative for constitutional revision, which opens the path towards changing the name of Republic of Macedonia into Republic of North Macedonia,” says Kosovo President Hashim Thaci. “The state is enhanced and integrated when the right decisions are taken in the people’s benefit, putting national before partisan interest. The Republic of Kosovo rejoices this very important decision of our neighboring country. Peace and stability in the region is enhanced only through resolute acknowledgment of the Euro-Atlantic orientation and hard work for integration in the European family,” Thaci said.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has congratulated Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev on the Parliament’s vote to endorse the motion for constitutional changes towards implementation of the Prespa Agreement. “Happy birthday to the Republic of North Macedonia. Heartfelt congratulations to Zoran Zaev and to everyone who fought for this historical moment. Today a new door to the future has opened for our two peoples in the Republic of North Macedonia. Respect” tweeted Rama in English and Albanian.

Zaev: Draft-amendments together with opposition (MIA)

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said Sunday that the draft-constitutional amendments will be developed together with the opposition, in less than 15 days. Zaev said that during the public debate he promised MPs to have an inclusive process, where the government will come to the parliament with a proposal of the amendments in compliance with the Prespa Agreement and then sit on with the ruling and opposition parties and draft the amendments together. “I believe we can do this in less than 15 days so that we shorten the procedure as much as we can. I believe we can harmonize and expect the majority to gradually rise in the following stages. As the procedure goes on, we will see there is nothing painful or hidden in these amendments, and that they will unify us and guarantee the country’s future,” said Zaev. Asked if the requirements by the opposition MPs who voted in favor of the decision to initiate the constitutional revision were acceptable, the PM said he carefully read the four points they put forward. “One is to confirm the Macedonian identity, the second is the implementation, which is already stipulated in the agreement. I believe they want a clear wording that the connection between our membership and the internal use. Namely, a complete change of the name, i.e. addition of the qualifier for full use within Macedonia to occur as the country becomes full-fledged member of EU” explained Zaev.

According to him, the next point refers to safeguards if Greece fails to ratify the agreement or puts obstacles to Macedonia’s integration process, namely that the constitutional revision is invalid. Finally, the opposition MPs who voted for the constitutional revision reaffirm the call for reconciliation. “I believe this number of MPs will be much bigger. I am not saying this by coincidence, because many more MPs want to join. I once again send the message for an inclusive process that goes beyond our political affiliation. Let’s sit together, define the constitutional amendments, and ensure the security, stability and economic growth of our Macedonia,” said Zaev.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Kammenos: ANEL Will Leave Greek Coalition Government Over Macedonia Name Deal

(Greek Reporter, by Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi, 21 October 2018)

Panos Kammenos commented on Sunday that the name deal granting FYROM permission to call itself “North Macedonia” is the “last straw” for his party. Kammenos stated that thus far, “We cooperated to save the country,” speaking of the ANEL party’s alliance with the Greek government. However, he stressed that ANEL’s MPs will walk out of Parliament if the name deal is presented for ratification, and that his party will leave the coalition if the leftist ruling SYRIZA government presents the agreement. “ANEL has been clear on its position; we will not accept the term ‘Macedonia,’” Kammenos said. “We have never cooperated with those who want to steal our history.”

Pyatt should answer Kammenos’ charge that FYROM MPs were bought off (ToVima, 22 October 2018)

Allegations that the US spent two million dollars to secure votes in FYROM’s parliament to back the Prespa Agreement must be answered by the US Ambassador

In Greece, it was Panos Kammenos who in a tweet first spoke of the bribing of MPs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in order to approve the constitutional amendments mandated by the Prespa naming accord. Essentially, he indirectly but clearly charged that the US, through its diplomats in the region, funneled large amounts of money to secure the necessary number of opposition VMRO-DPMNE MPs’ votes  to reach the two-thirds (80 seat) majority needed to launch the constitutional amendment process and save the Prespa Agreement. Naturally, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on his own could not buy off the requisite number of MPs, as he lacked the “resources”. A foreign player had to provide the “working capital”. This charge, which was articulated in various ways in FYROM, naturally seems plausible, as Greece also has bitter historical experiences with such interventions. Whether one speaks of the post-Civil War era, when US Ambassador John Peurifoy had greater power than Greece’s elected government, or of the en masse defection of MPs (known as the apostasy) from the ruling Centre Union party in 1965, when the US Embassy in Athens had stepped in amidst charges that “apostate” MPS were bribed, Greece has experience with such interventions.

That is why the US Ambassador to Athens, Geoffrey Pyatt, must provide answers, as he is a diplomat who by all appearances is the “man for special missions” in the “New Cold War”, especially if one considers his previous posting in Ukraine, where he went to ensure by all means a rupture in Ukraine-Russia relations. Here we are not speaking only of payments to the media or for the activities of various “civil society” organisations, which act as “fronts” for US intelligence services, nor about the activation of various “contacts” of those services in the region. Such things always happened and will continue to happen. Here, one is speaking of a raw intervention in the domestic affairs of a country, in a crucial, democratic parliamentary procedure, following a referendum in which the very small turnout made clear that the Prespa Agreement did not have the support of a large part of society in FYROM. Answers must be given, because if the allegations are true, things are dangerous. The practice of buying off MPs and officials, against the sovereign popular will, in the end boomerangs. It creates more problems than it supposedly solves. It leads to a deep political crisis, as the disharmony between parliamentary power balances and society can become explosive. Any domestic policy that destabilises FYROM entails more dangers than waiting a few months for the country’s admission to Nato. If FYROM sinks into yet another crisis, with the memories of its near descent into civil war still fresh, and in an era that thoughts of a change in Balkan borders are being bandied about, then things become simply dangerous. Then, the dangers will concern not only FYROM and its domestic political situation, but rather the security and stability of the broader Balkan region. We will then be speaking of developments that entail a great cost for Greece, and not for the “policy planners” in distant Washington. For these reasons, Geoffrey Pyatt must offer answers. He should say exactly what is going on, and explain the precise nature of his “mission” in Greece. Pyatt should offer assurances that he did not come to “manage a destabilisation”, which is a cynical euphemism for situations in which a region is destabilised in order to stem the influence of a competing power. There are certain charges that cannot go unanswered, because they not only cast a shadow on decisions and choices, but also threaten to blow up the balances that have been achieved. In other words, we must have a clearer picture of the games that are being played behind our back.