LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Every day without solution to Kosovo issue problematic (Beta/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that there was no direct information on possible terrorist attacks in northern Kosovo, but that he had been saying for a while now that each day without a solution for the issue of Kosovo was a problem for everyone. “This is why it is important that we reach a compromise. Obviously, though, these are empty hopes,” Vucic told reporters in Loznica. He said this in reaction to a comment about the British Foreign Office warning British citizens to avoid traveling to northern Kosovo due to possible terrorist attacks. Vucic said that he was scared by the warning, but also the entire situation in Kosovo, which he

constantly talks about. The Kosovo leaders “are not interested in Germans and Europe but rather the Americans. And all until the Americans say this sufficiently determined, they will not withdraw it,” Vucic told reporters. He pointed out and reminded that certain Kosovo officials have even openly admitted that the taxes had been introduced with the intention to harm Serbia. Just as it hasn’t done so far, Serbia will in the future also refrain from introducing reciprocal measures so as to show to all “the difference between us and them,” Vucic said. “Imagine if we had introduced measures to harm Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or someone else. The whole world would have condemned us. Imagine if I were to talk about a Greater Serbia like Rama and the rest about of a Greater Albania: I would be hanged in Brussels. Everything that we are not allowed to do, the others are.  This speaks of different criteria” of the West, Vucic said. Speaking on the announced creation of a tribunal to try Serbs in Pristina, he said that this would not lead to any good, as Serbia had so far not had positive experiences.

Dacic: Maybe clouded minds plan to cause incidents in North (TV Pink/Tanjug/B92)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic says the UK’s warning its citizens not to travel to the north of Kosovo could refer to the possibility of major incidents breaking out there. Dacic recalled that this was not the first such warning, and that the international community has done it before.

According to him, the warnings relating to the north of Kosovo are sometimes also connected with a criminalization of Serbs carried out by Pristina, because, it is constantly saying that there is a criminal structure in the north and that it is unstable there. “Whereas in Pristina, there are criminal authorities that are now accusing the North of Kosovo of being a crime hub. However, since the warning came at this time, it is interpreted as meaning that there could be major incidents not related to crime, instead it could happen if somebody gets the idea – and there I’m thinking of those with clouded minds – to conquer the north of Kosovo and Metohija by military means,” Dacic said.  He added neither Serbia nor Pristina have full sovereignty over Kosovo on the ground. Serbia, Dacic continued, does not have full sovereignty since the NATO bombing and the Kumanovo Agreement, while Pristina doesn’t have full sovereignty in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. “Their aim is to, if things drag out, try to achieve the Croatian scenario and create another Storm, expel Serbs from Kosovo and extend their sovereignty to the north. That is why our warning both to the international community and to our citizens is that frozen conflict will not last forever, because it is a problematic concept that could lead to such attacks,” Dacic said. He added that it is not favorable for Pristina that, 11 years since Kosovo unilaterally declared independence, it has not become a member of the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, or Interpol, while the EU refers to it as a territory and not a state in its documents. On the other hand, Serbia is constantly working on those countries that recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo to reverse that decision, despite pressure coming from the United States, Dacic said. “The situation has changed now, because many countries leave the possibility of reaching a compromise,” Dacic said, adding that because of all these circumstances that do not work in Pristina’s favor, it is likely that Ramush Haradinaj will not withdraw the taxes. In such an atmosphere, says Dacic, it is uncertain when the dialogue will continue, but, he says, it will not happen before the taxes have been abolished. Dacic also said that he won’t let anyone criticize him about Kosovo even when he is proposing solutions that do not like someone. “I have the right to do it. I have done more for a Serb Kosovo than the all foreign ministers in history put together,” Dacic said.

Vulin: Who will criminals judge? (Tanjug)

In fear of international courts and the deserved punishment for their atrocities, terrorists from Kosovo are seeking salvation in going after Serbian officers, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said this in reaction to courts in Kosovo announcing they would open new cases against Serbian officers and soldiers. “Serbian officers deserve decorations and grateful memory for defending Kosare and Pastrik from Siptar (Albanian) terrorists – not threats by terrorists who escaped justice,” Vulin said, adding: “The so-called minister of defense of Kosovo, Rustem Berisha, was convicted in 2016 by a court in Nis for participating in the killing of five soldiers of the Yugoslav Army at Kosare, while Haradinaj is a free man because all the witnesses in his trial got murdered. Who will this sort of people judge?” Vulin also said that the Serbian Army is proud of each of its officers and soldiers who defended the country in the wars of the 1990s, which Serbia and its army neither caused, nor sought.

Strong support of Greece regarding Kosovo, European integration (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic received on a farewell visit the Greek Ambassador to Serbia Elias Eliadis. Dacic expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Eliadis for his engagement during his term in office and contribution to the further strengthening of close and friendly relations between Serbia and Greece. Dacic noted that in that period, political dialogue at the highest and highest level was intensified through the implementation of bilateral visits and regular meetings of the High Council for Cooperation between the two countries. Eliadis conveyed gratitude to Dacic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia on the overall assistance that contributed to the successful and constructive cooperation. The Ambassador of Greece stressed that Serbia can count on further unreserved and strong support of Greece on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as in the process of Serbia’s EU accession. Dacic expressed conviction that the political dynamics will continue and thanked Ambassador Eliadis on his personal contribution and dedication, and wished him a lot of success in further work after the end of this mandate, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

GRECO: Serbia fails to fulfill a single recommendation (Beta)

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption body, said in its latest report that Serbia had failed to meet any of its 13 recommendations as to how to prevent corrupt practices by members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. In the Transitional Compliance Report of the Fourth Evaluation Round, the anti-corruption group said that

ten recommendations had been partially implemented, and that Serbia had done nothing about the remaining three. Nevertheless, GRECO concluded that the total level of compliance was no longer globally unsatisfactory, appealing to the authorities in Serbia to continue efforts to carry out the recommendations. Commissioner for independence of prosecutors Goran Ilic said that one of GRECO’s most important remarks was that in amending the constitution in the domain of the judiciary, the government failed to honor its own documents, and that in future the High Judicial Council’s members whose election was open to political influence would still outnumber those elected by prosecutors. In this context, the director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Dragan Sikimic, said that the struggle against corruption was Serbia’s strategic priority, and that the latest findings by GRECO were the result of consistent efforts by the Serbian authorities to curb corruption among MPs, judges and prosecutors.

Serbian Justice Ministry: Serbia progresses to fulfill GRECO recommendation (Tanjug)

The Ministry of Justice announced that in the last report regarding GRECO recommendations, it was pointed out that Serbia is no longer on the list of globally unsatisfactory countries in the fight against corruption. The new report was adopted at the 82nd plenary session of GRECO, held from 18 to 22 March. The report estimated that Serbia, out of the total of 13 recommendations it addressed, partially met ten recommendations, while three recommendations have not yet been met. Given that most of these recommendations are related to constitutional amendments, the Council of Europe could not establish progress in meeting the recommendations fully fulfilled until the Constitution of Serbia changes. Progress has been made in terms of 10 recommendations, while two of the three recommendations that are not fully implemented relate to the adoption of a new anti-corruption law. Taking into account that the proposal of this law will soon be found in the parliamentary procedure, its adoption will also fulfill these two recommendations. The report commends the adoption of a new law on lobbying, which introduces a completely new profession into the legal system of Serbia. Our country is commended for passing an innovative and modern law, which many member states of the Council of Europe have not yet adopted. The above recommendation is still treated in partly fulfilled, exclusively due to the delayed application of the said law by 14 August. Given that many processes are in progress, GRECO concluded that more than 75% of the recommendations have been partially fulfilled, and that Serbia is required to report on further progress no later than 31 December.

REGIONAL PRESS

Parliamentary parties from RS meet and sign statement that 9 January will resume to be celebrated as RS Day (BN TV)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Zeljka Cvijanovic organized a meeting with representatives of parliamentary parties from the RS on Tuesday in regard to the recent decision of the Constitutional Court (CC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) disputing 9 January as the RS Day. Participants of this meeting signed a joint statement reading that the decision of B&H CC is an unacceptable act aimed to deny legitimacy and legality of the RS and constitutional-legal order of B&H established by the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA). All participants of this meeting emphasized that the RS will resume to celebrate 9 January as the RS Day regardless of the B&H CC’s decision. The joint statement consists of eight conclusions and it was signed by Cvijanovic, Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik, RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic and representatives of the ruling and the opposition parties from the RS. One of the conclusions is that the B&H CC will be called on to abolish the abovementioned decision on the RS Day.

Following the meeting, Cvijanovic addressed media and said that the B&H CC’s decision is political one, adding that the RS has right to define its laws on holidays. Cvijanovic went on saying that the RS does not dispute anything that is part of “national identity of other peoples we live together with in B&H.” She added that on the other hand, the RS will always provide political reactions to political actions. She emphasized that political subjects from the RS are committed to celebrate 9 January as the RS Day because it is a historic fact, adding that no court can decide about historic facts. “According to the announcement of the Constitutional Court, you can see that they are even referring to an article in the Constitution that does not exist in the Constitution. So much unprofessionalism and superficiality is a terrible, a difficult-to-accept fact that they are referring to article VI/5 of the Constitution of B&H which is nowhere to be found in the Constitution,” Cvijanovic underlined. Leader of SP RS Petar Djokic said that the decision of B&H CC is one in series of decisions aimed to humiliate the RS. “We must not allow it. Consequently, we have to organize adequately and resume to act in line with what people in the RS want,” said Djokic. He explained that citizens expressed their will through referendum on the RS Day when citizens clearly said that they want to celebrate 9 January as the RS Day. Conclusions adopted at the abovementioned meeting also read that outvoting of Serb judges in the B&H CC represents continuation of inciting of ethnic conflicts. Vice President of SDS Miladin Stanic stated that this party opposes any transfer of competences that will be detrimental for the RS. “Ruling parties will have absolute support of SDS regarding all issues that refer to the RS, and especially those referring to the RS competences,” explained Stanic. Leader of PDP Branislav Borenovic stressed that no one will be allowed to jeopardize the RS’ right to celebrate its day. Participants of the meeting organized by the RS President also concluded that B&H CC takes over a role the Office of High Representative (OHR) had earlier. They concluded that similar meetings will be organized in the future so that ruling and opposition parties can jointly decide about issues important for the RS. Borenovic stressed that it is clear that there will always be a unanimous response when it comes to issues that are of essential importance for the RS, “regardless of whether we are part of the ruling coalition or the opposition.” Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic (SDA), on the other hand, said that the decision of the B&H CC has to be respected, assessing that 9 January, 1992, is a day when discrimination in B&H started. Dzaferovic stressed that 9 January cannot be a day of all peoples living in the RS, including Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks and ‘the Others’.

Hahn: It is necessary to continue process of formation of authorities in B&H (N1)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn answered on Tuesday the questions of members of the European Parliament following his last week’s visit to B&H and Serbia. Commissioner Hahn last week warned about problems that B&H is faced with when it comes to reforms and authority formation. Commissioner Hahn told members of the European Parliament that it is necessary to continue the process of formation of the authorities in B&H so that B&H could make the next step in the EU integration process. “I visited B&H last week and I hope that they will soon conclude the first phase and get the opinion of the (European) Commission. That opinion of the Commission will be published so that we could then forward it to the member states in order for B&H to obtain a candidate status. That is an important step. But, it should also be stated that those who are in the country, who are responsible for decision-making should form the authorities,” Hahn stressed.

PDP to give its answer to SNSD regarding the participation in state authorities on Wednesday (ATV)

PDP leader Branislav Borenovic confirmed for media that he will have an answer for SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, in regard to Dodik’s offer for participation in the state authorities, by Wednesday. ATV learns that some of PDP members advocate Serb unity in the state authorities, but it is almost certain that this party will reject Dodik’s offer, the same way SDS did. “I have decided to reveal PDP’s stance in regard to participation in the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) to the public tomorrow” confirmed Borenovic for ATV. He added that he, personally, does not plan to participate in the work of the new B&H CoM convocation. SNSD stated previously that it will respect any decisions made by the opposition leaders from the RS, but underlined that rejecting to be part of the state authorities will only hurt the RS. After the session of SDS Main Board, members of this party decided that it would be in SDS’ and the RS’ best interest for this party to remain opposition on all levels of authorities in B&H. SDA asked the parties gathered around SNSD and HDZ B&H to give it additional time for consultation so that it could try to convince more parties to become part of the authorities at the B&H level.

DF is acceptable if it defines itself as part of Bosniak bloc (Vecernji list/Oslobodjenje)

Chairman of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) Main Council Bozo Ljubic stated that the HNS will accept DF as partner in future authorities under condition that Zeljko Komsic’s party defines itself as part of the Bosniak bloc. “As far as the Croat representation, it is HDZ B&H, as leader of the HNS parties, that is the partner in negotiations regarding formation of authorities. Who will make the composition of the Bosniak bloc, we never determined that and never will. If DF defines itself as part of the Bosniak bloc that is represented by SDA, in other words their front-man Bakir Izetbegovic, I believe HNS will accept it” said Ljubic. Asked to comment on DF’s claim that they are not a Bosniak but a multi-ethnic party and will claim Bosniak, as well as Croat and Serb positions in the future B&H and Federation of B&H authorities, Ljubic replied by saying that Croat positions belong only to the HNS parties. Meanwhile, Oslobodjenje daily papers reports that it is most likely that DF is going to join SDA, HDZ B&H and SNSD as a fourth partner; a source told the daily, SDA is preparing a joint document to sign with DF. Following a session of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) on Monday, HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic stated that SDA is going to lead negotiations on formation of B&H CoM, not DF. He also noted that they have already launched negotiations on distribution of ministerial seats. According to the daily, SDA and DF are currently negotiating distribution of the ministerial seats. SDA leader and his party do not mind being leaders in negotiations with other partners, but the question is whether DF leader Zeljko Komsic is going to accept this.

US Embassy congratulates Croatia 10th anniversary of NATO membership (Hina/N1)

“Croatia has emerged from its own difficult history in the 1990s to become a real contributor to regional stability and international security” US embassy in Zagreb said in a statement on Monday released to mark the country’s tenth anniversary of its membership in the NATO alliance. Croatia had become full member of the military alliance on April 1, 2009, together with Albania, as NATO’s 27th and 28th member countries. Since then, Montenegro joined in in June 2017. “Ten years ago, the Republic of Croatia joined the NATO Alliance. Since that time, Croatia has unwaveringly undertaken the commitments and obligations of membership on multiple fronts. Our soldiers have served shoulder to shoulder in places like Afghanistan, Poland and Kosovo. Croatia’s contributions to international security are not limited to NATO. For example, Croatia recently made a significant troop contribution to the UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. We will continue to partner together in NATO Missions such as Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltics and Resolute Support in Afghanistan and we commend the Croatian government for our excellent military cooperation,” the embassy said. On Saturday, state agency Hina cited Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic as saying that Croatia had proved to be a reliable ally and would continue its present policy. “It’s good for our security and our contribution to security both regionally and globally,” Plenkovic said. According to Defence Ministry data, more than 6,700 Croatian soldiers and military personnel had taken part in various NATO-led international missions since 2003. At the moment, the country has 104 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, another 80 serve as part of NATO deployment in the Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Poland, 33 are part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, and another seven are stationed in Iraq. “Croatia’s commitment to the Alliance over the last ten years has significantly expanded peace and prosperity throughout the region, Europe and the world. We are pleased to celebrate this important milestone in Croatia’s and NATO’s history,” the US Embassy said.

US flag emblazoned with ‘swastika’ spotted on ‘Resist!’ protests (Pobjeda)

In the light of recent protests in Montenegro’s capital, it seems that the Montenegrin media forgot to report on one tiny shocking detail: that a group of protesters waved the US flag emblazoned with a hooked cross, called ‘swastika’, reported Pobjeda daily. Footage clearly shows that a man, along with 3-4 of his friends, is standing next to the organizers’ truck and waving the US flag emblazoned with a fascist symbol, obviously wanting to tell that they strongly oppose the US policy. This group of men later on tried to reach the convention center but in the end failed to do it.

Tsipras–Zaev: We need to make up for lost time and build a different story for Balkans (Nezavisen vesnik)

A historic visit which aims at leaving behind hate and division and to build bridges of cooperation and understanding. This was declared by the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras in Skopje following a meeting that he had with his counterpart, Zoran Zaev. He said that he and PM Zaev are building a different story for the Balkans through the implementation of the Prespa agreement and by building up trust between the two countries. “These are successful efforts not only for Greece and North Macedonia, but for the Balkans and Europe too” Tsipras said. The Greek PM said that this is the first visit of a Greek PM in the country and according to him, it took 30 years to establish normal relations between the two countries. “This is why we need to make up for lost time”, the Greek PM said, adding that he and Zaev talked about cooperation within NATO and also in terms of regional cooperation. According to him, Greece will support North Macedonia in its efforts and reforms to become part of EU. “This country can play a very important role, because it connects Greece to Serbia. Economy was at the focus of this meeting and we need to intensify our efforts”, Tsipras said. The two prime ministers said that they have appointed a coordinating committee which will support cooperation process, economic cooperation in particular. The two prime ministers also pledged that they will work hard to create new jobs, to do more about tourism, trade, culture, etc.  According to them, a joint committee of experts will be set up this year and its job is to address pending issues. On his part, Zaev said that this is the first time that Republic of North Macedonia welcomes a Greek Prime Minister. “Up until now, we’ve wasted a lot of time. There are plenty of opportunities in front of us. The two countries showed that by taking courageous decisions, they could realize what up until yesterday was considered to be impossible. The Prespa agreement will serve the interests of both countries. In three years’ time we’re hoping to address all pending issues” Zaev said, adding that important agreements have been signed in areas of defence, borders, transport, energy, digitalization, healthcare, agriculture, etc.

Tsipras: Greece will protect North Macedonia’s airspace (Nezavisen vesnik)

Stability of the region is the price North Macedonia should pay to Greece for protecting the Macedonian airspace, under an agreement of Tuesday’s meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council between Athens and Skopje. As part of the meeting, several memorandums for cooperation were signed, including a document between the defense ministries envisaging that North Macedonia’s airspace is protected by Greece. According to the memorandum, Greece will help North Macedonia enhance the defense skills of the army, improve the defense industry, cyber defense and military intelligence, as well as training, PM Alexis Tsipras told a news conference in Skopje alongside PM Zoran Zaev. “What we want in return is stability in our region. We want a neighbor that is not only politically stable, but also stable in terms of security,” Tsipras said when asked how much it could cost to control and protect North Macedonia’s airspace. Greece, he added, has the capacity and knowledge, in terms of air force, to support North Macedonia. The aim is to also strengthen cooperation in civil aviation, according to Tsipras. It comes natural for our country to be establishing military cooperation with its neighbors, said Zaev. “Bulgaria and North Macedonia cooperate when it comes to tanks and training. In terms of education, we are cooperating with Turkey. We agreed to allow Greece to protect our airspace, thus ensuring security and stability,” Zaev stated, noting it was in the interest of the region and NATO.

Violence against former MP, Basha threats PM (AND)

The leader of Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha, accused on Tuesday Elbasani police and vice director, Albert Nushi, for violence against former democrat MP, Luciano Boci.  According to Basha, the violence against Boci proved in a video, shows that this majority is trying to survive through the violence of police officers. “Neither crime nor police officers connected with crime cannot help this regime. This is the end of Edi Rama. People are protesting. The violence against former MP, Boci from the vice director Albert Nushi shows that the power is stolen by the criminals and drugs traffickers” said Basha.

EU Integration, Hahn hopeful that Albania will get recommendation (ADN)

EU Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, gave a speech this Tuesday to the European Parliament Committee, where he spoke for the Western Balkans. He stressed that this region has made progress while expressing hope that Albania and North Macedonia will get the recommendation for the opening of accession negotiations. “Our vision is to create a wealth level in order to fill the gaps. In the Western Balkans, we have made great progress. We will only accept a member if has resolved all bilateral conflicts. In late May we will issue a report for each country in the region, including Turkey. Based on what we have seen, I look forward to giving a recommendation for Albania and North Macedonia,” said Hahn. He added that each EU member state approval and unanimous consent from all countries is needed.

US: Justice reform won’t be stopped (ADN)

Attending the Albanian State Police Case Management System Upgrade Inauguration event, US Charge d’Affaires Leyla Moses-Ones said the United States has worked hand-in-hand with Albanian and European partners to help Albania with Euro-Atlantic integration and rule of law.

“The United States supports all of Albania’s new institutions, such as the justice Councils and the SPAK, as well as existing institutions that are willing to fight against corruption or organized crime. Justice Reform is moving forward, and it won’t be stopped,” she stated. Moses-Ones stressed that the High Prosecutorial Council will soon bring about the prosecutors of the SPAK, and then the National Bureau of Investigation, while the US assistance to the High Judicial Council will soon lead to the Anti-corruption and organized crime court. She also confirmed the US support for the creation of efficient, accountable, and data-driven police operations in Albania. “Armed with a thorough understanding of the process, ICITAP and the Albanian State Police have designed, tested, and implemented an automated information management system to support police operations at every step,” said Moses-Ones, adding that this system has made the Albanian Police more efficient in their response to citizens’ calls for assistance. The top US diplomat further stated that the US worked with the Albanian State Police to upgrade the communications network to support the increased number of officers needing access to the Total Information Management System (TIMS) with over USD 10 million of equipment. Speaking at the event, Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj said the modernization of State Police gives police forces superiority over crime. He stated that with the new project finalized on Tuesday, a new standard of the State Police will be established. “With this system we standardize working procedures. This creates opportunity to handle issues strictly. This system creates also the basis for new cooperation between the State Police and the prosecution, which will guarantee joint access,” he said. The minister added that this step comes at an important moment as the justice reform is already in its decisive phase.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Hahn: Progress was made in the Western Balkans (European Western Balkans, 3 April 2019)

BRUSSELS – Even though some problems could be seen from time to time, great progress was made in the Western Balkans, said Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn at the last AFET meeting. Talking about the progress he said that the progress should be observed through a longer time frame, that is why he sees progress in the rule of law, economy. “Our vision is to create a certain level of wealth and try to reduce this gap because it could be problem in Western Balkans. In addition, our strategic goal is to promote economic development”, explains Hahn. Regarding the issue between Pristina and Belgrade he hopes both parties would get over it. A solution to this question and the goal of it is legal agreement between these two countries which would be pre condition to many regional projects. Hahn reminds that EU decided not to accept new members until they resolve the problems they are facing with. This was something EU learned from the previous enlargement.

“But if our partners fulfill all criteria and benchmarks in the beginning of the accession progress, well, we need to act positively. I expect on the basis what we observed that we would make a recommendation for North Macedonia and Albania regarding the date of the accession negotiations”, underlines Hahn. Due to that it is important the EU’s credibility in delivering. “EU accession of the Western Balkans is in our own interest, which is why is important to export stability and foster reforms.

AFET mission to Serbia and Kosovo

Serbia and Kosovo need to resolve problems before joining the EU was of the conclusions AFET mission pointed out at its last meeting held in Brussels. Mission spent day and a half in both countries where delegates met with position and opposition representatives, but also with diplomats and civil societies. In both places they underlined the need for the dialogue and agreement which would be mutually accepted and in line with international laws. They reiterated that Serbia and Kosovo need to remain multiethnic. In Serbia they gave a full support towards its path to EU, stressing that more progress is required particularly in areas such as rule of law media and freedom. Even though there is a progress in Serbia, the last EK report claimed that no progress was media when it comes to media freedom. As for the Kosovo, they reiterated the EP’s support towards visa liberalization, adding they welcomed the past progress and reforms in the field of rule of law, reminding that implementation of these reforms would determine their success. The main problem in Kosovo is the economy, where things have not be improved.

AFET mission to Albania and North Macedonia

AFET mission visited these two countries in the light of political crisis in Albania and the ratification of Prespa agreement in North Macedonia. In North Macedonia they met with opposition as well. There is a political dialogue and both parties established two working groups. Their focus are following Presidential elections which should be free, fair and transport. In addition the progress which is noticed in North Macedonia will be strengthened.

“Changes are visible and the ambition to get the date for accession negotiations should be supported”, concludes AFET mission to Albania and North Macedonia.

How Did NATO’s Campaign in Yugoslavia Change the Alliance? (Sputnik, by Nikola Vrzic, 2 April 2019)

20 years ago, NATO, on its 50th anniversary gave itself “a gift” – the bombing of Yugoslavia. NATO’s aggression affected not only Serbia, which has yet to recover, but also the Alliance itself. It was then that it transformed from a “defensive organisation” into one that gave itself the right “on humanitarian grounds” to conduct military operations outside its own jurisdiction, disregarding the norms of international law. After the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, NATO representatives promised Russia that the Alliance would not expand eastward and retain its exclusively defensive character. Today it is not too difficult to assess the veracity of those promises. Hungary, Albania, Bulgaria, the Baltic countries, Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Macedonia all joined NATO and collectively “defended” themselves from Libya, Iraq, and Syria… Serbian experts spoke to Sputnik about why back in 1999 it was so important for NATO to intervene in Yugoslavia’s affairs and how this intervention was decisive for the further transformation of the Alliance. NATO lost its ability to exploit the old concept of protection from the USSR and its “satellite states” after the Cold War and was looking for an excuse to initiate a new doctrine of “humanitarian intervention”. “Despite the fact that NATO positioned itself as a defensive alliance, in essence, it was an aggressive pact from the very beginning, which is why the Warsaw Pact was established as a reaction to its formation. And after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the Alliance quickly showed its true face, immediately breaking its promise about the absence of intentions to expand east”, the head of the Eurasian Security Forum, Major General Mitar Kovac said. Documents, declassified at the end of 2017 by the US National Security Archive confirm that during the negotiations over German unification, Washington really promised Moscow that NATO would not expand eastward. Moscow was assured of this by then US President George H.W. Bush and Secretary of State James Baker, German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, French President Francois Mitterrand, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and NATO Secretary General Manfred Werner. Foreign relations expert and diplomat Zoran Milvojevic is convinced that no one questions why NATO gave Moscow false promises about its own plans: otherwise problems could arise in the process of German unification and explained why eastward expansion is so important for the Alliance: “NATO is a tool for dominating and spreading Western influence. It turned out that such a military-political strategy most effectively allows controlling ‘occupied’ territories and fully integrating them into the western sphere of influence. Therefore, the first criteria for EU integration is membership in NATO. Control and direct influence over the political system is most easily achieved by instruments of force”, the Serbian diplomat said. Kovac emphasised that in the end, we are talking about the fight for economic resources: “The reason for NATO’s constant expansion is in its economic interests. Behind the Alliance are the governments of Western countries and informal centres associated with large capital. The West has always sought to develop new markets and obtain new resources at the lowest possible prices. This is the very essence and logic of the existence of NATO”. And the bombing of Yugoslavia, in this respect, was, according to Milvojevic, a necessary and inevitable link in the chain of NATO’s transformation from a “defender” to an aggressive resource invader. He noted that, in addition to “occupying the territories of exceptional geostrategic importance”, the Alliance had other goals in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: “The aggression against our country was also needed in order leave behind the restraining framework of the North Atlantic Treaty, more precisely, its fifth article, suggesting mutual assistance of member states only in the event of an attack on one of them (Article 5: “armed attack against one” NATO member “shall be considered an attack against them all” — Sputnik). Also, do not forget that the bombing was the first time since the end of the Second World War when Germany took part in military action. In addition, the mechanism of the so-called ‘humanitarian intervention’ that was later used in other countries was tested out on us”. Taking into account all of the above, Kovac argued that Yugoslavia could not escape the bombing: “The then leadership did not want a war, they did not need it. And they did their best to avoid it. But at the same time, it is absolutely normal that it could not agree to a treaty that directly threatened the country’s independence and control over its territory (The unacceptable conditions offered to Belgrade by Western mediators during the Rambouillet talks — Sputnik). These would have been concessions that no country would make in today’s world. That is, everything was already decided, we were going to be attacked. And this aggression could not be prevented”. Zoran Milvojevic fully agrees with the military expert: “We could have avoided [NATO] aggression only if we surrendered Kosovo, changed our political system and our stance on the world arena. This is noticeable even now: their goal was to crush the resistance of Serbs. If Serbia became completely dependent, in military and political terms, then the problem, according to NATO would have been solved”.

The views and opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect those of Sputnik.