LOCAL PRESS

Unreduced presence of UNMIK in KiM of crucial importance (RTS)

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic took part in a high-level meeting called "Actions for Peacekeeping", dedicated to peacekeeping operations, organized by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Prime Minister Brnabic thanked the UN Secretary-General for his commitment to strengthening UN peace-keeping and peacebuilding mechanisms. Peace operations are one of the key instruments for which the UN is strengthening its role in preserving international peace and security, Brnabic said in her address. The Prime Minister stressed that Serbia strongly supports the efforts of the United Nations in the maintenance of peace and security. Today, more than 300 women and men from Serbia are participating in peacekeeping operations under the mandate of the United Nations and the European Union, Brnabic stressed. The Prime Minister stressed that she is proud that Serbia is a leader in the Western Balkans region and nine among the European countries by the number of participants in peacekeeping missions.

The Prime Minister said that it is very important for Serbia that one of the UN missions, UNMIK, established by the UNSC Resolution 1244 in the territory of our country. The unreduced presence of UNMIK in Kosovo-Metohija without a change in the mandate is crucial for preserving stability in our southern province, Brnabic pointed out. She pointed out that UNMIK is operating in an extremely complex political and security environment and that it is therefore necessary for the engagement to continue in accordance with UNSC Resolution 1244.

At the "Action for Peacekeeping" meeting, numerous high-ranking officials of the world spoke, including President of France Emanuel Macron and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

 

Dacic: I'm interested in talks with those who recognized KiM (Tanjug)

Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said he was most interested in talks, within the framework of the UN General Assembly session, with the countries that recognized Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence, to reconsider their decision.

"I am very pleased with the way these talks are going" Dacic said, adding that he said to the representatives of certain countries, bearing in mind how good these talks are going, that soon only Pristina and Tirana will be those who recognize the independence of Kosovo.

 

Dacic said that three levels of meetings were held within the UN General Assembly - one is a general debate, various meetings at the margins and numerous conferences, etc., bilateral meetings related to the strengthening of interconnections.

"The third level is the one that I’m the most interested in - a conversation with the countries that have recognized Kosovo, about re-examining that decision," said the head of Serbian diplomacy.

"I'm never talking about it, but here I have a list of countries with whom I need to make contacts - who is sitting where, where are they on what day, when are they participating in the discussions ... We have materials for each of these countries, which we always carry with us, and we have a map of all countries that recognized and did not recognize Kosovo" Dacic said.

Dacic showed journalists a map of the countries who recognized and did not recognized Kosovo's independence, and said that everyone should know that Pristina is lying, and that he has accurate knowledge of which countries recognized and which did not recognize Kosovo ".

 

"Pristina delegation does not have the same passes as UN members"

Commenting on the presence of a Pristina delegation in the UN building, Dacic said that "they are not here, they are standing in corners and sitting on footstools because they are not members of the United Nations and do not have the same passes, as the members of the UN."

As he explained, the Pristina delegation applied through the UN Peacekeeping Operations Department and thus obtained passes, with which they cannot enter meetings rooms.

“They do that every year, it’s an abuse of status, but no use of it. I think that everyone has already seen through it, that everybody knows what is it about, that they have made a big mistake by recognizing Kosovo and that many are now regretting the decision and consider its annulment” Dacic said. He stressed, however, that he does not want to talk about it all until all the meetings are completed, or until this week passes.

 

Pacolli suprises Brnabic in UN (Tanjug)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Beghjet Pacolli surprised Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday when he walked up to her while she was making a statement to the media.

While shaking hands, Brnabic asked him who gave him permission to be at the UN and Pacolli replied in Serbian: “I got your permission”. Brnabic responded saying “Not mine, if you had asked me...”.

Pacolli turned to the cameras and said “this is a lady we respect very much” before the Serbian Prime Minister walked away.

 

Chepurin: No one can force recognition of Kosovo (Beta)

Russia’s Ambassador to Serbia Alexandar Chepurin said on Tuesday that no one can force Serbia to recognize Kosovo. Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-named village of Putinovo outside the southern Serbian town of Medvedja, Chepurin said that Serbia has a strong international position.

“Serbia’s position is much stronger in international relations and I take my hat off to the Serbian diplomatic service because I see that even the countries which recognized Kosovo are now withdrawing that recognition,” the ambassador said.

He said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is right when he says that Serbia is now only expected to do one thing – recognize Kosovo. "But, without Serbia's agreement, without Serbia's interest they can do nothing and that is important,” Chepurin said.

The ambassador said that Russia is one of Serbia’s best friends not because someone wants it to be but because that is the reality and the two countries have close strategic interests which they are working intensively to achieve.

 

Ljajic: The US has changed its stance, but I'm not optimistic (B92, TV Prva)

Minister Rasim Ljajic said that he does not see that any agreement between Belgrade and Pristina will be reached in the next few months.

Speaking about media reports that Trump praised Serbia and that the United States under its administration has changed its attitude towards Serbia, he says that this change is evident.

"When we are talking about the US approach, it's much more cautious. It's approach is contained in one sentence - try to get along, we have nothing against, and we will give the final assessment when the deal is reached" said the Minister of Trade, Tourism and telecommunications in the Government of Serbia.

According to him, this is a big change from previous US positions when we had a black and white picture of support for Pristina. "We can now talk about a different position, but it is early to say that it is a dramatic change, but it is a change" Ljajic says.

 

Asked how plausible finding of a compromise with Kosovo is, Ljajic sais: "It is difficult for two reasons: the first is that the EU does not have a harmonized approach, and the second is that Thaci does not have any support in Pristina for what he wants. That lack of political legitimacy, seems to me, will be an obstacle to a compromise solution, in the next stages of a dialogue".

"I am not a great optimist that in the coming months there will be a shift in dialogue with Kosovo" concluded Ljajic.

 

Hahn says regional integration important for Western Balkans (N1 Belgrade)

European Commissioner Johannes Hahn stressed the importance of regional integration during a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Western Balkan countries at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

“Regional integration is a catalyst on each country’s European Union accession path and creates growth and jobs for the citizens. The six Western Balkan states should use the positive momentum for enlargement,” Hahn tweeted after the meeting.

He said the six countries of the region should try to make their cooperation more effective. “Regional cooperation and connectivity must become deeper and more effective. Let's look into those organizations and formats that could be streamlined or even abolished. EU integration is about political focus and delivery to our people” Hahn wrote.

Hahn stressed the importance of moving forward in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in a one on one talk with Kosovo Foreign Ministre Behgjet Pacolli. “A comprehensive, binding solution will be good for the entire region. Keep the eye on the ball.” the EU commissioner tweeted.

Hahn wrote that Bosnia and Herzegovina should push forward its reform agenda and ensure smooth general elections in October.

 

Serbia’s office for Kosovo condemns attacks on Serb property (Beta)

Serbia’s Government Office issued a statement condemning attacks it said increasingly happened on the Serb property in Kosovo, adding it was convinced they were not ordinary thefts but deliberate efforts to spread fear among the Serbs living there, the Beta news agency reported on Tuesday.

“The organizers of this campaign want to put pressure on Belgrade, sending a message that the Serbs living south of the Ibar river are their hostages,” the statement said.

It added that “we tell those Serbs that Serbia will do everything to help them in these difficult time and we appeal to them to withstand and not to fall for provocations.”

The statement said the Office was aware of the difficulties the Serbs in the south of Kosovo were in and promised to compensate the damage they suffered.

 

Dacic, OSCE Secretary General meet in New York (Beta)

On Sept. 25 Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met on the sidelines of the U.N. General

Assembly with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger to discuss preparations for an upcoming meeting of the organization. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greminger acquainted Dacic with preparations for an upcoming OSCE ministerial meeting in Milan and voiced his gratitude for Belgrade's support for the OSCE mission's work and the intense dialogue that the mission had with Serbian institutions.

The OSCE secretary general gave full support to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina for the purpose of reaching a lasting solution with political means, the statement added.

Dacic is part of a Serbian government delegation led by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at the 73rd meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

 

EU rep on shortcomings in Serbia's anti-corruption effort (B92)

Sem Fabrizi says reports by organizations such as Group of States Against Corruption indicate the shortcomings of Serbia in the fight against corruption. Fabrizi, the head of EU's delegation to Serbia, pointed out on Wednesday that the shortcomings especially exist when it comes to high level corruption. Speaking at the meeting on the implementation of the Law on the Organization and the Authority of State Authorities in Fighting Organized Crime, Terrorism and Corruption, held in Belgrade, he said that Serbia had a legislative framework in that area, but added that it was too early to make a definitive assessment as to whether and how much it would contribute to fighting corruption effectively.

"The law is heading in the right direction, but in the next six months we want to see how relevant the cases are for which verdicts have been passed, and among other things, that can be seen in confiscation of property from corruptive acts" Fabrizi said. According to him, the fight against corruption is not important only on Serbia's path to the EU, but also for the sense of justice and trust of citizens in the government and other state bodies.

"In this area, it is difficult to collect evidence because there are no obvious victims in corruption cases. These are not investigations like other criminal offenses, it is necessary to monitor the flow of money which implies a proactive approach to prosecution," Fabrizi said.

 

Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said that Serbia is successful in fighting corruption.

"We have something to be proud of. I would like to thank the prosecutors, judges, police officers, everyone who contributed to Serbia's success in this fight, although of course there is no country that can say it has defeated crime and corruption" Stefanovic said.

Stating that a major effort has been made to build an adequate legislative framework in the area of ​​anti-corruption, the minister sent a request to judges to pass "harsh" judgments, "like the laws are."  "Then the results will come, too. It's important that society understands that corruption is not a desirable thing, whether it's a small gift or a huge amount of money," Stefanovic said.

The minister assessed that Serbia will "always be under a bigger magnifying glass" when it comes to the fight against corruption, but expressed confidence that it will turn out that "crime and corruption will not flourish here."

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Vucic claims to have proof of interference of foreigners with elections in RS; RS President Dodik backs his claims (RTRS, ATV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on Monday that he is in possession of evidence that ambassadors of certain Western countries are interfering with the elections in Republika Srpska (RS). The Serbian President also said that he was especially hurt by the claim of a Serb politician from Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) that Serbia is interfering with the elections in B&H, referring to Serb member of the B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic. Vucic's statement caused a number of reactions.

Representatives of the RS authorities said that this is a warning which should be taken seriously. RS President Milorad Dodik said that by claiming that Serbia is interfering with the elections, Ivanic caused great damage. "He inflicted a serious blow to Serbia by claiming that. On the other hand, the old US administration is interfering here, (US Ambassador to B&H Maureen) Cormack, the British are interfering and some other countries from the EU," Dodik underlined.

RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic wondered how it is possible that Ivanic did not find it necessary to point to the fact that foreigners are interfering with the elections and that he dared to accuse Serbia. "Mr. Vucic is not interfering with the elections. He is trying, together with Serbian institutions, to help local communities across the RS," Cvijanovic said. SP RS leader Petar Djokic said that Vucic in this case acted as the RS expects the president of brotherly Serbia to act. Djokic said that he would like Vucic to reveal some more details about his claims when he assesses that it is the right time for that.

SNSD Vice President Nebojsa Radmanovic said that SNSD has long pointed to the activities of some embassies against the current RS authorities, but that it is very important that the Serbian President warned about that.

SDS leader Vukota Govedarica said that he has no information on influence of foreign representatives on election race in the RS or on cooperation of representatives of opposition parties with foreign embassies. Govedarica added that Vucic and everyone else who comes on behalf of Serbia to the RS are always welcome.

 

Session of UN General Assembly begins; Crnadak meets Hahn, Western Balkans Foreign Ministers (BHT1)

A session of the UN General Assembly has begun in New York on Tuesday. During the opening ceremony, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned of the need for reforms, cooperation among states and consequences of more and more drastic climate changes.

The speech of US President Donald Trump has sparked special attention and as it was expected, Trump sent a sharp message to Iran and announced introduction of additional sanctions at the beginning of November. UN members laughed at Trump after claim his administration has “accomplished more than almost any in US history”. Trump also bragged about growth of the US economy and the lowest unemployment rate in the past 10 years.

A delegation of B&H, led by Chairman of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic also attended a discussion on global problems. Izetbegovic was supposed to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday evening. B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Crnadak will take part in high-level meetings and regional meetings that will be held on the sidelines of the debate.

During his first day of visit to New York, Crnadak said that B&H remains committed to the EU road and the EU membership, adding that a wide consensus on this issue is present in B&H. Before opening of the general debate in the General Assembly, Crnadak took part in a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Western Balkans and European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn. Addressing attendees, Crnadak said that at this moment, the most important thing for B&H is that the elections pass in fair and democratic atmosphere.

 

B&H Presidency Chairman Izetbegovic informs UN Secretary-General Guterres about situation in B&H (TV1)

Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York, on the eve of the beginning of the UN General Assembly’s session. On this occasion, Izetbegovic informed Guterres about the current political situation in B&H and the country's progress on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, as well as about the degree of implemented reforms and economic progress. The B&H Presidency Chairman pointed out that B&H expects to obtain the status of the EU candidate and activation of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) on the path to NATO.

 

Croatia

 

President, Foreign Ministers Attend UN General Assembly (Hina)

Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric attended the official beginning of the 73rd session of the United Nations' General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, and this year the session was dedicated to the UN role and its responsibility for peace, equal and sustainable societies, the Croatian ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.

The Croatian minister also attended a meeting focusing on the topic "Action for Peacekeeping" at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

During her stay in New York, Pejcinovic Buric attended the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit, held as a central event ahead of the formal opening of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. The participants adopted a political declaration promoting conflict resolution, human rights and gender equality. The summit gathered numerous heads of state and government, ministers, high UN officials and representatives of civil society.

" Pejcinovic Buric also met with Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo. The two officials discussed the development of bilateral relations, with emphasis on the planned cooperation in mine action and defence. In view of the upcoming ministerial meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean, Pejcinovic Buric held talks with the organization’s Secretary General Nasser Kamel and exchanged opinions on topics regarding the development of the Mediterranean," the ministry stated on its web site.

 

President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic met her Turkish counterpart Recep Tajip Erdogan on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday and their talks focused on bilateral relations and the situation in southeast Europe.

 

The Croatian president said that the talks also revolved around the forthcoming general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina and on how Bosnia and Herzegovina could be helped on its journey towards the European Union and NATO.

Before her talks with Erdogan, the Croatian head of state attended a dinner hosted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. On that occasion she had an opportunity for conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on the current affairs. The two presidents are also due to hold a 15-minute meeting on Wednesday.

President Grabar Kitarovic said on Tuesday that the problem of Agrokor had mostly been resolved, but that Russian banks that became Agrokor owners need to help put the ailing food conglomerate back on its feet. She discussed the situation in the biggest Croatian private company with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the fringes of the UN General Assembly in New York.

They also talked about the air pollution in the eastern Croatian town of Slavonski Brod and Grabar Kitarovic said she would meet the leaders of the Russian oil company Zarubezhneft in Bosanski Brod, responsible for the environmental problem in the Croatian town on the other side of the Sava river.

The Croatian president said that preparations were underway for the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Croatia, adding however that she was unable to say when the visit could take place.

Grabar Kitarovic and Lavrov also talked about the parliamentary elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina and agreed that representatives of the three constituent peoples should be elected according to the Dayton Agreement and Bosnian Constitutional Court verdicts.

 

Montenegro

 

Darmanovic on Kosovo: Do ​​not disrupt the architecture of the Balkans (RTCG, VOA)

Montenegro has always strongly supported the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, but Podgorica's position regarding the announcements of border changes, is that the security and stability of the region is primary, Montenegrin Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic said in an interview with Voice of America.

Asked about the negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, Minister Darmanovic noted that Montenegro has always strongly supported the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, but that the country's position in terms of announcements of border change is that the security and stability of the region is of primary significance.

"What can bring a solution based on the exchange of territory - this has always been a delicate issue in the Balkans. It must come with the guarantees that the Balkans will remain stable. We all have to take care of some wider architecture of the Western Balkans in order not to endanger it," Minister Darmanovic said answering the question about Montenegro's position on the negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Regarding the relation between Montenegro and the United States Darmanovic said that these are the relations of a stable partnership.

"These are relations of a stable partnership, stable cooperation within NATO, bilateral relations of great understanding and similar views on world problems regardless it is about two countries of unequal size and importance. These relations are as good as always and we are fully convinced that Article 5 of the Washington Treaty is as firm as it was before," Minister Darmanovic stressed when asked to comment on the current relations between Montenegro and the USA.

 

fYROM

 

Think carefully what kind of speech you will make at UNGA, Zernovski tells Ivanov (MIA)

A delegation consisting of President Gjorge Ivanov and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrej Zernovski has been taking part in the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.

Although the two Macedonian state officials are part of the same delegation, Zernovski says he is ignored by Ivanov.

In a Facebook post, Zernovski said that yesterday he sat next to the President at the same table in the hall of the General Assembly without exchanging a single word

"President Ivanov, the Macedonian future is our shared responsibility. Yesterday, we sat together, next to each other, at the UN General Assembly in New York. (Un)surprisingly, we didn't exchange a single word. We know why - although we sit under the same flag, we do share different views about the key issue that is determining the future of our country," Zernovski wrote

He added that they sat at a table with a country name plate reading "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and that Ivanov was wrong to call for a boycott of the referendum.

"Mr. President, this is the truth that you won't tell purposely. Thus, I have to ask you publicly: is this the name you are defending? Is this the name you are trying to protect? You and I both know very well that after a boycotted referendum for the whole world we will still be a 'former Yugoslav' in the decades to come while waiting outside the closed doors of the EU and NATO," said Zernovski.

President Ivanov is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday.

The Deputy Minister called on the President to think carefully about what he would say in his speech at the UN.

"Don't we have the strength to show the world that Macedonia always has to wear the same jersey, especially abroad. Our citizens, our children expect us to provide them with a safe future, and this is our shared responsibility," Zernovski's FB post reads.

On Wednesday, Zernovski will have a working dinner with EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Western Balkan leaders. He will also meet with the UN name envoy, Matthew Nimetz, MIA's Washington correspondent reports.

 

PM Zaev on Prespa Agreement and constitutional changes (MIA)

The changes of Macedonian Constitution in line with Skopje-Athens name (Prespa Agreement) will be implemented by one amendment, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told late Tuesday.

The first constitutional change refer to including the geographic qualifier; the second is related with the Preamble, namely strengthening of the constitutive elements of the statehood via the historic decisions of the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the People's Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) on self-determination, sovereignty, independence, as well as the visions of freedom and democracy, Zaev said.

Other changes are related to Article 3, namely emphasizing the firm commitment to the principles of the inviolability of borders and territorial integrity, as it is the case with the constitutions of all EU members, and Article 49 of the Constitution that refers to the diaspora, the PM said.

“I believe these changes to the Constitution may be done with one amendment, but law experts will have the final say on the matter,” Zaev said.

It’s not honest for the wording of these changes to be written before the upcoming referendum on the name deal in Macedonia, Defense Minister Radmila Sekeriska said

“We are ahead of fully transparent process that is to take place at the Parliament. But we can confirm now that the Macedonian nation will not be erased from the Preamble of the Constitution,” she said in response to speculations that effect.

Zaev once again pointed out that the Prespa Agreement was a fair and just solution to the name issue, based on facts.

“It confirms our Macedonian identity and language. The agreement put an end to a long-lasting dispute and opened the ‘iron doors’ of EU and NATO for Macedonia,” Zaev said.

Vice-Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani referred to the economic benefits of the EU membership status.

 

Albania

 

Campaigning for a Seat in Security Council (ADN)

Attending the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, which started on Monday under this year's theme "Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies," Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati commented in a media communication that the meeting is held at a very important moment when multilateralism and cooperation across the world are quite often challenged.

"It is therefore necessary for the United Nations not only to be more present in the conflict zones but also to guarantee the implementation of development programs that minimize the gaps between certain regions of the globe," he said.

 

During the proceedings of the UN General Debate, Foreign Minister Bushati will attend a series of activities focusing on preservation and strengthening of international peace, protection of human rights, creating equal opportunities for sustainable economic development. He will simultaneously have several bilateral meetings on the margins of the Assembly.

Beside the bilateral relations between Albania and other countries to be discussed during bilateral meetings, the minister will also seek their support for Albania's candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the period 2022-2023.

"Albania is participating this year at the UNGA with the ambition to become soon a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Our communication with partners and countries that know Albania or know a little about Albania has just started, in order to fulfill this objective of our foreign policy," underlined Minister Bushati.

 

Albania also supports UN reform which aims and is expected to make the Organization more responsive towards the needs of certain countries by making it less bureaucratic, as well as to respond to the challenges of a world which seems to find it hard to reach its equilibrium.

During his stay in New York, MEFA Bushati held several bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts in the frame of the UN General Assembly. He met his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, discussing bilateral political, economic and trade relations, further possibilities for cooperation between Albania and Turkey, as well as regional and international issues.

He also met his Rwandan counterpart Luise Mushikiwaabo, the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia, Mamadou Tangara, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova, Tudor Ulianovschi. Cooperation in international organizations and mutual support were discussed about in these meetings, underlining the will and the interest to continue this cooperation.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Threat of New Cold War Looms Large in Balkan Vote (Bloomberg)

Polls show the 27-year-old spat over Macedonia’s name might be closer to an end following an agreement with Greece in June.

Arguments over Brexit, the rise of nationalism and how to deal with Russia are consuming Europe, but there’s one dispute that’s been edging toward a resolution – and it’s in a region where there’s much at stake for the world order.

The Republic of Macedonia will hold a referendum on Sept. 30 on changing the former Yugoslav state’s name to Republic of North Macedonia. The insertion of the geographical denominator is key to settling a 27-year-old row with Greece, which claims the country misappropriated the ancient kingdom of Macedonia in northern Greece. Polls show most people support the change.

The Balkans is a theater of tug-of-war between the West and Russia and resolving the dispute would be a rare victory in a volatile region where nations still struggle to mend ties going back to the bloody conflicts of the 1990s. Greece has agreed to drop its objection to the Republic of Macedonia joining the European Union and NATO as part of an agreement struck in June.

Russia, a staunch opponent of further NATO expansion, wants to prevent that and is trying to meddle in domestic affairs, according to the government in Skopje, the capital. Moscow has backed the local nationalist opposition, which governed for a decade before being unseated last year by Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. Greece, an EU and NATO member with traditionally among the warmest relations with Moscow, expelled two Russian envoys after accusing them of bribing officials in an attempt to block the deal.

“Russia has publicly said that it is against Macedonia joining NATO, so they’ll do whatever it takes to prevent this process,” said Bujar Osmani, Macedonia’s deputy prime minister in charge of EU affairs. I’m expecting “a crescendo of their influence here as we get nearer to the referendum day,” he said.

One government official said any Russian efforts at influencing the vote were confined to social media, though Osmani said there’s no proof Moscow has been involved. The Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity, a group founded this year that monitors votes, said in a report on Wednesday that automated Twitter accounts are backing an effort to curb turnout in the referendum.

 

A survey published by the Societas Civilis Institute for Democracy in Skopje on Sept. 10 showed more than two-thirds would support the deal with turnout seen at 58 percent.

There’s robust support among the country’s ethnic Albanians, who make up about 25 percent of the 2 million population, and are strong backers of joining NATO. The risk is that a low turnout among the country’s Slavic majority may leave “some bitter feeling” about the name deal, Osmani said.  President Gjorge Ivanov, who is backed by the opposition party, said he won’t vote in the referendum. He tried to block the deal in June and said it threatens the country’s “national identity.”

Even though the tiny nation was largely unscathed by war after the implosion of Yugoslavia, its economic and political progress stalled because of the dispute over the country's name and claims over cultural heritage.

 

Mile Petrovski cast his vote for the Republic of Macedonia’s peaceful secession from Yugoslavia in 1991, but he didn’t expect his family and construction machinery business to be in a rut for the large part of three decades, he said.

“We desperately need a change,” said Petrovski, 60, who struggles to collect payments from his clients and is dependent on financial aid from his son who works as a chef in Germany. “If the referendum succeeds, there will be some future for us.”

That said, there's been opposition to the deal to end the name dispute in the Republic of Macedonia and Greece, with factions in both countries claiming too much was given away. Tens of thousands of marched in the streets in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in June and a smaller group of protesters clashed with police this month.

The deal faces a rejection from Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s coalition partner, Independent Greeks. But with his Syriza party trailing in the polls before an election next year, Tsipras and his allies are keen to build on a summer that also saw Greece finally exit its international bailout package.

Zaev, meanwhile, will have to clinch a two-thirds majority in parliament to approve the constitutional change, meaning he needs help from opposing parties to make up the numbers. That’s if his referendum passes at the weekend. As incentives, the country was promised that it may sign an accession protocol with NATO as early as the winter, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Sept. 6. The EU has given a conditional date for the start of accession talks in June.

“The government sees membership in these organizations as critical to the country’s future prosperity and security,” said Steven Meyer, a professor at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security in Washington. “The Balkans have become a playground for Russia and the U.S. that is essentially a continuation of the Cold War.”

 

 

 

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