LOCAL PRESS

Chepurin: UNSCR 1244 legal framework for resolving Kosovo issue (Tanjug/RTV)

Russia is prepared to assist in resolving the Kosovo issue, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Chepurin said at the meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. “As our President had told you, from our side there is absolute readiness for cooperation and assistance in resolving such a very important issue,” said Chepurin. He noted that Russia was interested in resolving the Kosovo issue and that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 was the legal framework that needs to be respected in the course of seeking a compromise. He says that the main problem lies in the fact that the Brussels talks had been conducted for six years now, and that, while Serbia had fulfilled all reached agreements, this could not be said for the other side. Chepurin pointed to the example of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), which has not been formed yet, adding that he hoped there would be progress in this sense. Chepurin thinks that it would be good to help the parties in the dialogue that is conducted in the United Nations Security Council. “The situation is such that it requires even more attention by the Security Council, regular meetings, and not attempts at reducing debates,” said Chepurin, adding that certain optimism would be, nevertheless, maintained. Vucic believes Vladimir Putin’s visit will be the most fruitful to date in terms of the number and content of agreement which he will sign. He said that he is extremely pleased with the talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov on the preparation of the visit by the head of the Russian state to Serbia. As Vucic said, energy is important for Serbia, infrastructure projects as well as innovative technology, but also all other areas in which we have good cooperation, where we can move forward.  “Let me once again thank the Russian President and you for the support that you provide to the Serbian people and Serbia and to preserving its territorial integrity, and for supporting our efforts to reach a compromise solution, not solutions that result from pressures, blackmail and unilateral solutions,” Vucic pointed out. Vucic congratulated the Russian people and the state on the victory in World War I, and pointed out that the Serbs mark this victory with greatest pride, showing respect toward our victims. “I think that according to the number of victims, Serbia was probably the first or the second country in proportion to its population and the territory it encompassed, on the allied side of course, and that’s why everything that happens that is denying or in any way diminishing the sacrifices of our people, affects us particularly gravely,” said the Vucic. Therefore, I would like to emphasize, stressed Vucic, to thank you for the respect you have shown to the Serb victims, and the Serb people and the citizens of Serbia will know very much how to appreciate that.

Schieb: Germany opposes delineation (N1)

German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb told N1 that official Berlin has not changed its stand on a possible delineation between Serbia and Kosovo. He said Germany’s stand on the issue has been clear for some time and added that other European countries and Serbia’s neighbors have been expressing reservations about the idea of delineation.  Asked about Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Armistice Day commemoration in Paris, the Ambassador said it was a good, long meeting at Merkel’s initiative. “It was a general exchange of views on political and economic issues”, including the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations,” he said.  Schieb said relations between Germany and Serbia did not deteriorate over Berlin’s opposition to delineation as the way to solve the Kosovo problem. “I would say that it’s no secret that we have different views. That is the trait of a good partnership, having different stands and being able to discuss it but that does not mean the partnership suffers and relations grow colder,” he said.  He rejected the possibility of a change of stand on delineation. “The Chancellor has clearly stated her stand on several occasions. There was speculation about whether Germany will change its stand but no, Germany’s stand remains what it has been for some time,” Ambassador Schieb said.  He said Berlin was concerned about the possible implications in the region following a change of borders or exchange of territories. “That could contribute to a solution to the Kosovo problem but it will open other problems in other parts of the region. We are very concerned that the drawing of new borders could upset the stability of the region if we draw new borders following all the conflicts in the region,” the Ambassador said.

Ljajic: If nothing else, then let EC admit that CEFTA doesn’t exist (Politika)

Serbian Trade Minister Rasim Ljajic has assessed that Pristina’s threats to additionally raise taxes on goods coming from Serbia proper and B&H is simple politicizing and fight for political points. Ljajic told Politika that he will meet with B&H Trade Minister Mirko Sarovic most probably next week in this regard, when they will send a joint request to the European Commission (EC) to do something, at least to admit that CEFTA doesn’t exist any longer. “We certainly will not reconcile and willingly accept this situation. We will be exerting constant pressure on the EC, if nothing else, to admit that CEFTA doesn’t exist,” said Ljajic, adding this has nothing to with the economy any more nor can it be explained. Ljajic explains that, apart from a very mild reaction from the EU, for now, there is no progress in resolving this problem. “Only the EC can stop such behavior by Pristina, because CEFTA doesn’t exist any longer or exists in some other form,” opines Ljajic.

Serbia was humiliated in Paris, France messed up (Tanjug/B92/Le Figaro)

The protocol of the French President placed President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic outside the official stand during the celebration of the end of WW1 in Paris. The president of Serbia was placed outside the range of television cameras, which is an unacceptable failure, since Serbia in the Great War lost “1.2 million of its children”, writes French daily Le Figaro in an article headlined, “The commemoration of Nov.11: Serbia unjustly humiliated.” A senior member of the Elysee Palace protocol, in charge of seating officials at the honorary stand, told the Paris newspaper: “We have messed up.” Around President Macron were representatives of the allies in the First World War – Russia, the US, Italy and Romania, but also the presidents of Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as the German chancellor, who were enemies 100 years ago, and during that time one man, although huge in height (Vucic) was shoved as far below as could be done and put to sit on the opposite platform, among lower-level ministers, diplomats and other officials. “That Serbia, with her historical sacrifices, France has humiliated France on November 11. We can only imagine how Aleksandar Vucic felt while watching opposite himself the smiling Trump, Putin and Macron, the notorious Recep Tayyip Erdogan, or Hashim Thaci, president of a country that Serbia does not recognize, and which in 1914 was only a region within Serbia,” the article says, referring to Kosovo and Metohija. Although the French Ambassador to Serbia, Frederic Mondoloni, apologized on behalf of Paris on Monday, there have been reactions in Belgrade. The Monument of Gratitude to France, just rebuilt – was vandalized, while demands have been heard to rename the Belgrade streets named after Paris and France, the daily states. Le Figaro points out that on December 6 Emmanuel Macron will be coming to Belgrade. Vucic promised him a magnificent welcome and said that Serbia would not mess up when it comes to marking the historic friendship between the two countries, which is based on the blood spilled together. The article, signed by Firgaro’s deputy director Jean-Christophe Buisson, concludes that this time France risks to be the one who will feel humiliated.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H HoR Collegium fails to reach consent on scheduling inaugural session (N1)

At its session held in Sarajevo on Tuesday, the Collegium of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives (HoR) failed to set a date for the inaugural session of a new convocation of the B&H HoR. B&H HoR Speaker Mladen Bosic and Deputy Speakers Borjana Kristo and Sefik Dzaferovic failed to reach consensus on convening the session on December 5, given the fact that Kristo was against it. Addressing a press conference on this occasion, Bosic was quoted as saying that this came as a shocking surprise to him as it was supposed to be pure formality. He even announced in advance that the session would certainly be held on December 5, explaining that there would be no obstacles to prevent it. “The proposal was to convene the session and fulfill this legal obligation on Wednesday, December 5, 2018. However, I was surprised that Mrs. Kristo did not give consent to holding the session, nor did she propose another date as she explained it is too early to discuss this matter,” Bosic said. He argued that he is not familiar with Kristo’s reasons to “obstruct” the decision on setting a date. “I cannot make comments on whether the case is about a boycott of formation of a new convocation of the Parliament or some other issues. You will probably have an opportunity to ask Mrs. Kristo herself,” Bosic said. Kristo replied that Bosic is obviously “frustrated” and explained that HDZ B&H is a responsible political party that respects deadlines, but she thinks it is necessary to wait for a political agreement and maybe even appointment of a new leadership of the B&H HoR. “It is necessary to hold political talks so that we also have the B&H HoR Collegium at the inaugural session,” Kristo explained, adding that it is also necessary to hold political talks about formation of parliamentary majority. Dzaferovic voiced his expectation that the inaugural session will be held within the legally proscribed deadline, explaining that nobody – not even Kristo – can take the burden of responsibility for disrespecting the Constitution of B&H, which stipulates that this session must be held within the period of 30 days following the day of confirmation of election results. “I believe it will be held until then, regardless of today’s session of the Collegium, at which Mrs. Kristo did not give consent,” Dzaferovic concluded.

Dzaferovic: SDA will be part of parliamentary majority, and not only at B&H level (BHT1)

Outgoing deputy speaker of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) and newly-elected Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA) commented the failure to schedule an inaugural session of the new convocation of the B&H HoR, possible parliamentary majority at the B&H level and expectations from the new convocation of the B&H HoR. Asked whether failure to schedule an inaugural session of the B&H HoR created legal vacuum, Dzaferovic said that it is too early to come to any kind of conclusions. “We will see what is the real reason of such action by Mrs. Deputy Speaker of the B&H HoR Borjana Kristo (HDZ B&H). According to the Constitution of B&H, the inaugural session of the new convocation of the Parliament has to be scheduled within thirty days from the day when the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed results of the elections” Dzaferovic underlined, adding that the plan was to hold the inaugural session of the B&H HoR on December 5. Dzaferovic stressed that Speaker of the B&H HoR Mladen Bosic proposed this date and that he supported it, but that Kristo asked not to schedule the session for December 5. “She, however, did say that she is for complying with the deadline prescribed by the Constitution and that the session in her opinion will take place no later than December 5… She said that she wants to see talks of political parties on the topic related to the very inaugural session which is primarily agreement on the appointment of a speaker and deputy speakers, appointment commission, the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) and everything else that is done at an inaugural session,” Dzaferovic said. Asked whether SDA will be part of the new parliamentary majority at the B&H level given Monday’s meeting between SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic, Dzaferovic said that SDA will be part of the parliamentary majority and not only at the BiH level. “It will also be part of the parliamentary majority at the Federation of B&H level. It will participate in the authorities in the RS as well and it will be part of the parliamentary majority in all cantons where SDA got votes. SDA is a winning political party and it is completely normal and logical for this to happen. Besides on the basis of the election result, authorities in B&H are also formed on the basis of constitutional position of constituent peoples which is seen through the ratio in Houses of Peoples. Therefore, at this moment, we can most definitely conclude that SNSD and HDZ B&H will be part of the authorities. SDA will definitely be part of the authorities at all levels and we want other political parties, winning political parties, to make up the parliamentary majority in B&H. Talks will follow in the coming days. There were of course invitations, but official talks will follow in the coming days and we will definitely have the defined parliamentary majority by December 5 which is the final deadline for holding of the B&H HoR’s session,” Dzaferovic underlined. Asked what he expects from the new convocation of the B&H HoR given frequent prognosis that the situation will be like it was in the past four years or even worse, Dzaferovic said that because of that, he wants as broad and as stable as possible parliamentary majority which would not depend on one, two or three votes to be formed at all levels as soon as possible. “Therefore, the parliamentary majority which would include more than two-thirds majority. No one is excluded from that and political parties with the highest number of votes have priority. We roughly know which those political parties are. If so, and it is the responsibility of all those who took part in the elections whether this will happen, then this convocation of the B&H HoR and this convocation of the authorities will have an opportunity to be very successful,l” Dzaferovic stressed.

Milovan Bjelica says that signing of petition for early party elections in SDS will start soon (ATV)

Internal issues in SDS have continued and SDS Vice President Milovan Bjelica confirmed that signing of the petition for early party elections in SDS will start soon. Bjelica said that signatures are being collected in support of holding an extraordinary election assembly of SDS and he claims there is already two-thirds majority for such petition. SDS leader Vukota Govedarica refuses to resign and assume responsibility for election loss. Bjelica pointed out that some members are openly lobbying for Govedarica by offering other members top positions. According to some speculations, if Govedarica is removed from the leading position, Bjelica is the most probable candidate to take his place. Govedarica did not wish to comment the situation in SDS, but he did previously say that election assembly of SDS will be held in 2019.

Bjelica dismissed Govedarica’s accusations about an attempted coup within the party and reminded of his promise to resign. He argued that Govedarica has not done anything to make the party united again, although SDS Main Board recently ordered him to do that.

Bosic comments on division within SDS: This is attempt to ruin opposition in RS (TV1)

Addressing media in Sarajevo on Tuesday, member of SDS and speaker of B&H House of Representatives Mladen Bosic commented on a division within this party. Former leader of SDS Bosic said that he is not surprised with behavior of some individuals, adding that post-election attack on SDS could have been seen a long time ago. Bosic said that he feels ashamed on behalf of people who betrayed SDS and who do not feel ashamed. He added that he will not be part of SDS that may decide to form authorities with leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik. Bosic underlined: “This is an attempt to ruin the opposition in the RS. In my opinion, this goes in the direction to make the opposition in the RS similar to the status of the opposition in Serbia”. Bosic stated that former Chairman of SDS City Board in Doboj Obren Petrovic is one of the main reasons for the crisis within the party. Bosic said that it was clear to him even before the elections that Petrovic would attack SDS and “sell” his mandate to political opponents.

Djukanovic: Progress in the Balkans is at stake (CDM/Le Figaro)

The progress in the Balkans is at stake, said the President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, in an interview with the French news magazine Le Figaro he gave during his stay in Paris to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. “The progress in the whole region is at stake. In my opinion, two main circumstances caused such a state of play. First refers to clashing interests of great forces in the Balkans, which is nothing new to us. The second thing is the fact we have been facing three problems that ruin the region since the ‘90s: Macedonia paralyzed since 2008, conflict between Serbia and Kosovo with no likely outcomes and dysfunctional Bosnia and Herzegovina” Djukanovic said. As he added, fresh talks between the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo have incited nervousness in the region. “The instability has been encouraged by deteriorated relations between Serbia and Croatia. I’m afraid such circumstances would encourage supporters of Great Serbia. Some of them again started challenging the Montenegrin independence, by claiming that Serbia has had a natural right to Montenegro. Such allegations are dangerous in times of instability, which we all had an opportunity to witness in the ‘90s.” On the idea of land swap between Serbia and Kosovo, Djukanovic said “that’s an issue considered a taboo for a long time, as it reminded us of bad experiences from the ‘90s.” One must be cautious and watch not to cause a domino effect in the region, and we should wait to see the decisions of the two presidents, according to Djukanovic. Russia tried to prevent Montenegro’s accession to NATO. Djukanovic emphasized that Russia generally opposes the integration of the Western Balkans into NATO. Djukanovic continued: “As we were the only candidate country, Russia naturally protested against our NATO membership …but, we have always wanted to join the Western family whose values we share. That process has started with the NATO membership and is going to finish with our accession to the EU. In terms of history and culture, we have always been close to Russia but relations between us have deteriorated considerably over recent years.” President Djukanovic also added that we must find ways for reconciliation. “At the same time, we should protect our most significant interest in the critical moments, especially due to the fact that NATO membership (on 5 June 2017) fostered stability in Montenegro and contributed to its international prestigious reputation. Thanks to foreign investments, this year’s economic growth will range from 4.7% to 4.9%. And we are to continue the accession talks with the EU. If the EU decides to go on with the enlargement policy, we are first in line to join it,” Djukanovic emphasized.

Gruevski calls from Hungary, he asks for political asylum (Nezavisen vesnik)

Gruevski calls from Hungary, he asks for political asylum Nikola Gruevski through his official Facebook profile wrote that he is in Hungary and that he asked for political asylum from the authorities there. “In the last few days I have received countless threats after my life. I am in Budapest now, and I sought political asylum from the Hungarian authorities. I will always remain true to the cause of Macedonia. I will never give up” he wrote.

Xhaferi: Gruevski’s MP status to be re-examined in parliament (Nezavisen vesnik)

Nikola Gruevski’s MP status to be re-examined in parliament extraordinary coordination with the vice-presidents of parliament and the coordinators of the parliamentary groups for reviewing the status of Nikola Gruevski as an MP, announced Speaker Talat Xhaferi after the former prime minister announced that he had fled to Hungary. Members of VMRO-DPMNE’s parliamentary group have so far reported Gruevski as absent from the sessions, which is considered as justified absence. I received such a letter before the beginning of today’s session. But after Gruevski announced he was on the run, we have a new situation. It is illogical that he remains treated as justifiably absent and announcing absences in his parliamentary group, when he himself announced that he was not in the country, but that he was on the run, Xhaferi told Nezavisen vesnik. He points out that the regulations that relate to the work of the parliament do not address this situation, but that mechanisms can be found to regulate differently the status of a MP who does not participate in the work of the legislature. Xhaferi says he cannot make a decision on his own and hence he will hurry to call for coordination on the issue of Gruevski’s absences to be regulated before tomorrow’s continuation of the current session if it does not end today or before the start of the first new session. Last Friday, the parliamentary plenum did not adopt the proposal to deprive Gruevski of his parliamentary mandate because a two-thirds majority was not provided for it. This opened an opportunity for the former prime minister to go to jail and to continue to have the status of MP and get his MP salary from the parliament. But Gruevski has kept his parliamentary mandate, he did not go to prison, but fled to Budapest. According to the Constitution, a mandate is terminated for a MP when convicted of a criminal offense for which a prison sentence of at least five years is considered. The MP may be deprived of his mandate when convicted of a criminal or other offense that makes him unworthy of performing the post of MP, as well as for unjustified absence from the parliament for more than six months.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Dacic: I will protest at Security Council session over Pristina’s decision on army (Sputnik, 13 November 2018)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivivca Dacic told Sputnik that he would lodge a protest over Pristina’s intention to form a Kosovo army at Wednesday’s UN Security Council session. “I will clearly tell the greatest world powers that the forming of the so-called army of Kosovo, that is a para-military, runs counter to Resolution 1244 which the Security Council adopted,” he said before leaving for New York to attend the UN SC session.  He said he would also list all unilateral decisions taken by the authorities in Kosovo which have brought the European Union-mediated dialogue on normalizing Belgrade-Pristina relations to a standstill.  “Pristina has violated the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) by raising the tariffs on goods from Serbia and has been lobbying for Interpol membership even though it is not a UN member. Every argument is on the side of Belgrade which has met all the obligations it accepted. We fully respect Resolution 1244 and the dialogue in Brussels,” Dacic said.

The name deal and Kammenos’s endgame (ekathimerini.com, 13 November 2018)

The stance of Independent Greeks (ANEL), the junior nationalist party in Greece’s leftist-led coalition, on the name deal reached with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continues to resemble a kind of theater of the absurd. The latest with respect to what will happen when the agreement comes to Greece’s Parliament for ratification is that Independent Greeks leader and Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, along with party members who choose to follow him – at least two appear unwilling to do so – will vote against the deal, and then the members of ANEL who are serving in the cabinet will resign. That way, Kammenos believes he will be able to claim that he has thus expressed his “staunch” opposition to the agreement reached between Athens and Skopje in June, and can then continue to support the government in Parliament without actually being a part of it. Once more, Kammenos is trying to play both sides. Even though the majority of ANEL voters are very sensitive about the name issue and oppose the deal with FYROM, their party will effectively facilitate its ratification, which can be achieved with SYRIZA’s votes in Parliament, along with a handful from centrist Potami and MPs who are independent. Apparently, Independent Greeks can disagree with the prospect of “giving up” the term “Macedonia” to Skopje – arguing that while it did everything in its power to stop that from happening, at the end of the day it could not be prevented – and then continue to support the party that did so. In other words, it is backing the party that under any different circumstances Kammenos would have branded a “traitor.” Despite adopting this overtly contradictory stance, Kammenos is theoretically still banking on the support of voters who oppose the deal with FYROM. His stance is nothing short of surreal. The likelihood of ANEL garnering the votes it needs to make it into Parliament again in the next general elections is slim to none. In the meantime, there are several influential figures ready to fill the void on the right of New Democracy and who have a much better chance of entering Parliament. One in particular already has a strong support base in northern Greece and is almost certain to be voted in. If he manages to rally others in the right wing who are still deliberating, he could even do quite well. The best that Panos Kammenos can expect from his strategy is to lengthen his own and a few close associates’ parliamentary careers by a few months – unless, that is, his endgame all along has been a spot on the SYRIZA ticket.