LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: We missed a major chance, we will pay high price for that (Happy TV/Tanjug/B92)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia had missed a chance to reach a compromise with Pristina and that we will pay a price in the future. Speaking of demarcation, he says he realized that the Serbs would never accept something that was our chance and that we would regret it dearly. “I understood the message of the people, it was a great chance for us, but we missed it,” Vucic told TV Happy. He says we will do worse in the future, but no one will be able to blame him. “I will defend the Serbian people, but remember my words in 20 years: we had a chance, but we did not have enough awareness and wisdom,” Vucic said. On the occasion of the 12th anniversary since the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence and the message of Mike Pompeo to Pristina that Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence are a guarantee of peace, he points out that they gained independence thanks to the United States and Germany. “What do you expect, do you think they will change their minds and withdraw that, or that Serbia can change their positions after the lost war conflict? Where is the logic,” Vucic points out.

On charges that he was a traitor and wanted to betray Kosovo, he said the west was silent as well. “They didn’t say that anything was agreed on, for something that didn’t happen. All the time, they say ‘it might happen any time soon’, and I didn’t hide anything from the people. I said what I was in favor of, but nobody wanted it,” Vucic explains. He points out that the agreement between the Serbs and Albanians did not suit anyone and that he did not find support either in the east or in the west, because that agreement brings 100 years of peace and development and a future and security for children. “No one would be happy about that. Some would be dissatisfied because for them only humiliated Serbia is the final solution. The others would find it satisfying only if they can exert influence on Serbia and the region,” Vucic said. “I wanted a compromise. I know that the Serbs would never have accepted it. I would like to celebrate life and future of children. It has not passed, no problem, the children will pay for it, they will pay the price like any other,” Vucic said. He also noted that he had met with Albin Kurti in Brussels for the first time, but that they had not discussed anything. “He had his own statement that was extremely dirty, a disgusting statement against Serbia with the worst fabrications,” Vucic said, and asked if those from Serbia who support Kurti thought that Serbia had committed genocide and so many crimes and that it should be held responsible for that. “If Obama won the Nobel Prize and Trump did not, even though he stopped several wars, explain the logic to me. It is also a logic that Albanians are tolerant, peacemakers.” He pointed out that the same church property laws are being drafted in Kosovo as in Montenegro, but that we have always asked that everything be kept under SPC Belgrade and Patriarchate Belgrade, so as not to say that it is Kosovo’s but a cultural treasure of Serbia. “The Albanians and foreigners never wanted to agree on this or talk about it,” Vucic said. He says a large and powerful European country has asked Pristina to impose fees on Serbia, with the aim of forcing Serbia to disrupt dialogue. According to Vucic, the dialogue was moving towards a compromise solution. “It was done to say that Serbia was going out of dialogue and that any plan for Serbia to gain something would be overthrown,” Vucic explained. He reminded that the idea of demarcation could be the outcome of a dialogue in which Serbia would get something. “I didn’t know it right away, now I know it all. It is one significant and powerful country in question,” Vucic said. He recalled that the whole world rebelled against taxes, Americans louder than Europeans, because, as he pointed out, one European country wanted it. He believes that it is no coincidence that officials in Montenegro say they have to have their own church. Vucic explains that they first attacked Serbian church and Amfilohije, but that the essence is again Serbia and Vucic, and finally, they have NATO support. He also said that one country especially insists on an energy agreement with Pristina, just to get money, because it is important to them, not the Community of Serbian Municipalities. He recalled that he had never responded to the ‘strikes’ from the region, that he had never said a difficult word about someone in the region. But any reason to blame Serbia is good, he notes, and so does the encounter with Serbs from the region, after which, he says, foreign journalists ask him for his allegedly controversial statements, and he then reiterated that he respects Bosnia-Herzegovina (B&H), adding that he did not rendered the decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H to the detriment of Republika Srpska (RS). Vucic also noted that Milorad Dodik, when he was chairman of the B&H Presidency, could never go to Brussels alone, but all the presidency members were invited - Dodik, Zeljko Komsic and Sefik Dzaferovic, and now that Dodik is not chairman - then only invite Komsic. He also referred to Dodik’s statement on RS and B&H after meeting with the Serbs from the region in Belgrade, and said that after the meetings, they did not agree on what anyone would say, but Dodik said what he thought appropriate. “I, as a good host, and as Dodik’s friend, it’s no secret, I realized in what direction it will go and said that Serbia respects the integrity of B&H, and the integrity of RS within B&H. I did not say a single bad word. However, in Brussels the N1 journalist asks me – ‘about your controversial statement’. Which one? There is no controversial statement of mine,” Vucic said. He added that he (Vucic) is also guilty in the eyes of Croatian journalist, and it does not matter what Dodik said. Vucic said that this is often the case in Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica, sometimes under wraps, and sometimes openly, because Serbia is no longer a punching bag and it is not weak. “Serbia has its own army today, it has a good reputation, more importantly than the military, it has more money, stable public finances, faster economic growth. They cannot forgive me that success, together with the government, and all those who run Serbia today. That is why this kind of campaign is implemented, and that's what people in Serbia clearly understand and see,” Vucic said.

 

Vucic: We saw EU’s sincere commitment, investment package announced (RTS/Tanjug)

 

The EU is open to hearing our initiatives and ideas, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said late Sunday in Brussels after an informal working dinner of Western Balkan leaders and EU officials, and added that an investment package had been announced for the region. “We had a positive, important and good meeting for Serbia and for all of us. We were met with good energy from (European Council President) Charles Michel, (European Council President Ursula) von der Leyen, (EU foreign policy and security chief) Josep Borrell and (Croatian PM) Andrej Plenkovic. Good and very useful conversations,” Vucic told reporters. “They are open to hearing all our initiatives and ideas. They will send their teams to talk to us and receive that from us in writing,” he said. The EU announced the launch of an investment package for the Western Balkans, which is very important, he said. The EU will also encourage regional cooperation, he said, adding that he had highlighted the Little Schengen initiative. All this would open up prospects, meaning that we would have much more concrete results than we have had in the past, he said. “It is very important that we saw a sincere commitment of the EU and their top officials to progress of the whole region and to a desire of the people living in the Western Balkans to feel the benefits of EU accession,” he said.

 

Brnabic: Vucic and I prefer new methodology, Joksimovic cautious (Tanjug)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic on Monday said a decision on whether Serbia should use the new EU enlargement methodology or adhere to the old one was still pending. Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Brnabic said she and President Vucic preferred the new methodology but that European Integration Minister Jadranka Joksimovic and her ministry were naturally more cautious. "We expect to make a good analysis to see what the advantages and the potential dangers are... To me, it seems that the new methodology is much clearer and much more direct. It has some drawbacks - for example, if your reforms are not proceeding quickly enough or you do not implement recognized reforms, you can even regress," she said. Brnabic was in Brussels to represent Serbia at a donor conference for quake-hit Albania and also had meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Davide Sassoli and a working lunch with EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.

 

Dacic: They violated UN Resolution 1244 a long time ago (TV Prva/Tanjug/RTV)

 

The announcement by the prime minister of the provisional Pristina institutions, Albin Kurti, that military service will be compulsory, as well as of investments in defense, has caused strong reactions among the public. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic says he believes Kurti would represent a kind of continuity of the one-sided moves that Pristina is making, and that is already showing. “They have long ago violated what is said in Resolution 1244. We have repeatedly insisted on this. Even international factors have reacted to the formation of the Kosovo army, but have not reversed that decision. It will take a long time to gauge Kurti’s real intentions. What is the difference between what he was saying during the campaign and what he’s doing now. I think it will be a kind of continuity of those unilateral moves that Pristina is making. That he will continue with some moves that will destabilize the situation, that is, not lead towards a solution, any kind of compromise that could be reached,” he said. He stressed today that many people are now surprised and openly unhappy that America is getting involved, along with, say, Germany and France - while the EU keeps on the sidelines. “On the other hand, you also heard the president say that some countries asked Pristina to introduce taxes. It all shows how much everyone has their own angle. Grenell is quite clearly doing this, (looking for) a compromise solution. The US has changed its approach, it allows some compromise solution to be reached. If this was during past administrations, it would have been a closed topic,” he said. Dacic said that Serbia will not allow anyone to abolish the RS entity in B&H. The RS authorities have been fiercely disputing a B&H Constitutional Court ruling that all farm land is B&H property with Bosnian Serb political leaders saying the RS could secede.  “The Party of Democratic Action was formed on the policies of Alija Izetbegovic as defined by him more than 40 years ago that an Islamic state can be formed one the Moslems have a majority. They now have a majority… This can all seem banal to you but let’s not turn out to be right later when they topple a trade center. Bin Laden had a Bosnian passport,” Dacic told TV Prva. He said that the Dayton Agreement is being revised. He said that B&H Presidency member Milorad Dodik’s words Goodbye B&H, Welcome RS-Exit at a session of the RS parliament are part of a political struggle. “These are not just empty words but a clear message: “Continue this policy of endangering the equality of the Serb people and there will be trouble,” he said, recalling that the competencies of the B&H Constitutional Court are only what is agreed by the two entities which does not include land and forests.

 

Bishop Amfilohije: People are resurrected (Novosti)

 

The people of Montenegro have been resurrected, says the Metropolitan bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije. He stated that the position of the Episcopal Council, the clergy, the faithful and the citizens who participate in the liturgies in that country is to go all the way till the goal is achieved, and that is - the victory of Christ. Amfilohije, in an interview with Novosti, however, warns that the regime shows such stubbornness and aggression that he has the impression that it would not shy away from the use of violence and said that everything the regime does is based on lies. “There is no withdrawal, no return. Our people - from child to old man - have returned to themselves, and that energy is unstoppable,” Amfilohije said in protest against the Law on Religious Freedom in Montenegro. Recalling that Montenegro has experienced fratricide several times in its history, he stated that he is concerned that he recognizes the roots of this in the actions of the current Montenegrin government. “The liturgies are peaceful, and the people taking part in them show extreme love, tolerance and reconciliation. I see the danger of conflict in the announced withdrawal of police, possible provocations, incidents... The regime shows so much stubbornness and aggression that I have the impression that it would not shy away from deployment of violence. We will do everything to avoid that,” he notes. He adds that everything the regime does is based on lies. “They annulled the decisions of the Podgorica Assembly, even though the vast majority of Montenegrins of that time were in favor of joining the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. They interpret it today as the disappearance of Montenegro, although they forget that Serbia then disappeared, or lost its name, not just Montenegro,” Amfilohije points out. He also points out that the idea of unifying all Serbs and restoring the Patriarchate of Pec was the idea of King Nikola, while the Podgorica Assembly was a kind of expression of these aspirations. “Nevertheless, they are making history today and changing the will of King Nikola. History gives me the right to call Milo Djukanovic a traitor to Montenegro, because he handed over Metohija, organically connected to Montenegro, to the Kosovo plunderer Hashim Thaci, who ashamed an extremely patriarchal and venerable Albanian people,” Amfilohije said. Asked if the announced dialogue between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the state would help calm the situation and eliminate the deficiencies in the law, Amfilohije says he received a letter from Prime Minister Dusko Markovic calling for dialogue, but on implementing the law, which, he notes, is unacceptable to the church. “The current government is in favor of dialogue, but in a way that we should just perform the role of the executors of their idea of restoring Montenegro’s identity. In fact, they see the Metropolitanate as some sort of sect of theirs that would fit into the newly introduced Montenegrin identity,” Amfilohije said. Asked if the government has the goodwill to resolve the crisis and find a solution, he estimates that it appears that it is not willing to do that, judging by their public reactions. “I am under the impression that Prime Minister Markovic is a little bit more open and more inclined to agreement, while President Djukanovic openly demonstrates the lack of any will to reach a compromise. He went as far as characterizing our liturgies as a ‘crazy movement’. They compare us to Tehran, and they accuse us of turning Montenegro into an Orthodox mujahiriya. That's the goodwill we can hope for,” he concludes.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

RS parliament holds special session to debate on information on ”anti-Dayton activity” of B&H CC; Cvijanovic calls for adoption of eight harmonized conclusions (BNTV)

 

Republika Srpska (RS) President Zeljka Cvijanovic proposed at a special session of the RS parliament held in Banja Luka on Monday, eight conclusions related to anti-Dayton activity of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H.  According to BN TV, the conclusions do not mention a referendum as leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik previously announced. Ahead of the session, leaders of SNSD, SDS, PDP, DEMOS, SP, NDP, the United Srpska and DNS harmonized and signed the conclusions. According to the conclusions, the RS parliament confirms its commitment to the original Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and the Constitution of B&H. The RS  parliament obliges representatives of the RS in the B&H parliament to propose adoption of a law on termination of mandate of foreign judges and appointment of domestic judges. The third conclusion reads that the RS parliament  tasks the RS government to continue with previously-launched negotiations with the FB&H government with the aim to define the border line between the RS and the FB&H, in line with the Annex II of the DPA. Furthermore, the RS parliament obliges representatives of the RS in institutions of B&H to suspend any kind of decision-making process in institutions of B&H until adoption of the aforementioned law. The fifth conclusion reads that the RS is a signatory of all annexes to the Dayton Agreement, including the Annex IV that represents the Constitution of B&H. According to the sixth conclusion, the RS parliament also confirms that the CC and High Representatives (HR)s violated the Dayton and the Constitution and thus, changed the political system. According to the seventh conclusion, the RS  parliament obliges all institutions of the entity not to accept or implement any future anti-Dayton and undemocratic decisions of the HR and the CC of B&H. The eighth conclusion reads that the RS parliament demands from representatives of the RS in institutions of B&H to inform the RS parliament about implementation of the conclusions within 60 days. After she presented conclusions at a special session of the RS parliament on Monday, RS President Cvijanovic and leaders of parliamentary parties addressed the RS MPs. Addressing the MPs, Cvijanovic said that the B&H parliament has never reached any regulation from the property-related sector, adding that all regulations from this sector are under exclusive competences of the entities. She added: ”Bearing this in mind, how come that the B&H CC reached a decision without material regulation? This decision is also totally opposite to a decision of the B&H CC upon a motion of (late SDA leader) Alija Izetbegovic, No. 90U-5/98 and according to the merits, the RS which means the entities are exclusively competent – in line with the principle of the separation of powers - to regulate property-related relations in line with the Article 68, Paragraph 6 of the RS Constitution which was present in our case”. Addressing MPs, leader of SNSD and member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik said that he feels encouraged with the fact that parties managed to overcome their disagreements and stand united when it comes to defense of the RS. In this regard, he expressed gratitude to the ruling parties and people from the opposition in the RS and added that he is looking forward to their joint participation in the joint institutions; i.e. abstaining from the decision-making processes. Dodik ended his speech by saying: “I will see you in 60 days. I believe that I will be even more convincing when I address you again in 60 days and that I will be closer to what I said at the beginning: Goodbye B&H, welcome RSexit”.

Leader of SDS Mirko Sarovic said that it is not clever to talk about referendums, the secession, the NATO today, arguing that the time to discuss these issues will come. He stated that strong nationalistic rhetoric at domestic field is practically useless at the internal level and often counter-productive at the international level. Sarovic added: ”We should take care about this”. In his opinion, a response of the RS should be “strong, but rational, well-measured, sophisticated and with clearly-defined goals”. Sarovic underlined: ”Our measures should be well-figured, enforceable and sustainable over time. I repeat, our measures and responses should not just aim to show the level of our discontent, but to set our goals as goals that can primarily be implemented”. Leader of PDP Branislav Borenovic also addressed MPs and said that the public acknowledgment of leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic that he uses the B&H CC as a mechanism for realization of interests of his policy, is very concerning and scary. Borenovic added that in this regard, the judiciary is doing nothing, while the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H should check whether there is ground for abuse of office and official authority in this case. According to Borenovic, this is maybe a chance to solve the issue of foreign judges in the B&H CC, but he expects plenty of wisdom, reason and prudence for solving of this issue. He also announced that the PDP Caucus in the RS parliament  will support conclusions of the RSNA, but PDP will not accept any kind of adventurism without a strategy and a way how to handle with all these challenges.

 

Komsic: It is impossible to discuss end of mandate of foreign judges in B&H CC in current constellation of political relations in B&H (BHT1)

 

Chairman and Croat member of the B&H Presidency and DF leader Zeljko Komsic stated that, in the current constellation of political relations in BiH, it is impossible to discuss the end of the mandate of foreign judges from the B&H CC. Komsic was quoted as saying: “Do they really think that someone here is naive to fall for a story that B&H does not have full sovereignty due to having foreign judges in the B&H CC. No amendments to the Law on the B&H CC that moves in the direction of such solutions will be adopted. That should be clear to them. We do not care about the threats they have been sending with regard to that.”

 

Dzaferovic: RS parliament conclusions will not have any legal effect (O Kanal/FTV)

 

Member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic stated on Monday that conclusions of the RS parliament will not have any kind of legal effect. He sent a message to officials from the RS that this is a path they should not take, given the fact that it is violation the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and peace itself. Dzaferovic stressed that foreign judges at the B&H Constitutional Court are “a part of the Dayton balance” and “a part of the DPA that is as important as the entities or entity voting”. Dzaferovic also said that the RS was formed in the DPA regardless of the genocide, mass crimes, ethnic cleansing that were committed in the area of this entity, in order to establish peace and give a chance to the country to reintegrate in peace. Dzaferovic also said that the RS was formed as “a grave Dayton compromise”. He called on the RS officials to return to B&H institutions and use the mechanism provided by those institutions in order to protect the interests of the RS. Dzaferovic reminded that B&H institutions respect the entities though the mechanism of entity voting. He said that the RS officials need to give up on their goals and they will not achieve anything with it and they can only endanger the peace and the DPA. Dzaferovic stated that B&H existed before the DPA and the RS officials need to be aware of it. Dzaferovic said that conclusions that will be discussed by the RS parliament, including those calling for rejection of decisions of the High Representative and the B&H CC represent direct threats to territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H. Dzaferovic went on to saying that current crisis would not occur if the OHR reacted to similar situations that occurred earlier. “B&H existed before the DPA and will resume to exist. The only thing that can disappear if the DPA is undermined is what was created in Dayton, primarily entities,” explained Dzaferovic.

 

Other comments of B&H politicians on RS parliament’s special session on B&H CC (N1)

 

Representatives of the FB&H opposition, i.e. the pro-Bosnian parties, assessed that unified reaction from the FB&H to this crisis is necessary, noting that the ruling coalition in the FB&H, including SDA, has contributed to Milorad Dodik’s strength and such behavior from the RS. Our Party's Damir Arnaut stated that those who are proven to be generators of crises in B&H, such as Dodik, should not be given mechanisms to cause blockade and crisis. Justice and People leader Elemedin Konakovic commented that one should be realistic and review the law at the level of the FB&H according to which the FB&H parliament can sell the state property, which is not okay because Dodik should not be given a reason or alibi for his actions but he needs to understand that he deals with serous people. He stressed that there are examples in which the FB&H has violated the rulings of B&H CC several times, so it is hard to expect from Dodik or HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic to respect B&H CC's rulings. N1 reminded of the stance of HDZ B&H leader Covic who stated recently that all stances of HDZ B&H on B&H CC are well-known. He reminded that high time for foreign judges to leave B&H CC has passed long ago, assessing that it is necessary to reach consensus on this issue as it is part of the Constitution of B&H.

 

OHR, EUD’s Sattler, NATO, EUFOR comment on latest developments in RS (N1)

 

High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko stated that Bonn Powers will not be used because the RS parliament and Serb member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik (SNSD) have not yet crossed the red line. Asked what would the red line mean for him, Inzko said that this would be final realization of the RS’ secession or the referendum on this issue and this is the case in which the international community might react in a more concrete manner. “I am convinced that this referendum will not take place because several times in the past there were announcements on some referendum, after which certain statements from Belgrade stopped this. However, even in case that the referendum takes place it would not be legally valid”, Inzko asserted. According to Inzko, he is aware that B&H citizens expected more from him and his strict reaction to irresponsible behavior of certain politicians, but the times have changed and the international community does not want this kind of reactions. He stressed that any kind of agreement between B&H leaders is welcome. Inzko announced that the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB) will hold a session soon to discuss this situation, depending on possible conclusions of the RS parliament. He noted that the Ambassadors of the Quint countries to B&H are especially engaged in this case, and they also said in a joint statement that any unilateral moves of political representatives in B&H are inacceptable and that B&H CC’s decisions are final and binding. Inzko also said that departure of foreign judges from B&H CC would significantly undermine the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). Inzko concluded that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) will not be closed as long as certain politicians behave in the current manner, adding that Dodik and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic through their actions actually extend his term in B&H. N1 reminded of the statement given by Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H Johann Sattler to BNTV on Sunday as a comment on the latest decision of the B&H CC. Sattler stated that B&H cannot become the EU member state with the current level of international supervision, and this applies to the OHR and international judges. He reminded that this is one of the things mentioned in the European Commission’s (EC) Opinion. According to Sattler, steps towards higher level of autonomy should be made, but the question is when is the right moment for that. Asked to comment on the current security situation in B&H, representatives of the NATO and EUFOR Headquarters in Sarajevo told N1 that they carefully monitor the situation. The EUFOR HQ stated that the current situation is still not serious in a way to pose security threat, reminding that the DPA itself clearly stipulates the method of amending the provisions of the Constitution of B&H. O Kanal Late News – Commenting on Milorad Dodik’s speech in the RS parliament on Monday that started with “Goodbye B&H, welcome RSexit”, High Representative Inzko stated: “I think this option is unrealistic of course because B&H, its territorial integrity and sovereignty are based upon the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), they are based upon the B&H Constitution and, of course, the international law as well. You know that the entities do not have the right to secession, according to Dayton. Dayton is absolutely clear.”

 

Cubrilovic: Serbian statehood day will be celebrated until Serbs exist (Srna)

 

RS parliament speaker Nedeljko Cubrilovic has said in Orasac that while Serbs exist this day will be celebrated, because it is the day of the beginning of the First Serbian Uprising, the day which symbolizing the creation of the modern Serbian state and the day of the adoption of Candlemas Constitution (Sretenje Constitution), the first in the modern history of the Serb people. At the ceremony of marking Feast of the Meeting of the Lord – Sretenje, the Statehood Day of Serbia, Cubrilovic has emphasized that it was a great honor for him to address today at this historic site not only on his own behalf, but also on behalf of the Serb people, citizens and institutions of Republika Srpska and that there is no honor without responsibility. “In this place, for us Serbs wherever we live, in a holy place, I feel a responsibility not only to the citizens and officials of the Republic of Serbia, but also to our ancestors. For all those who, at this time 216 years ago, had, not only the courage but also the vision and ability to recognize that this long and eagerly anticipated historic moment had come to begin the struggle for national liberation and the restoration of our own state. Therefore, we their descendant, pay tribute to them and cherish the culture of remembrance of their heroic and state-building work,” Cubrilovic emphasized.

Congratulating the leadership and all citizens of Serbia and all Serbs the Statehood Day, he has said that at this historic place, our wise, courageous and responsible ancestors, representatives of the people and spokesmen of the people`s trouble, made the decision to raise an uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which until then, for almost three and a half centuries, kept the Serbian people in obedience and disenfranchisement both in the territory of today’s Republic of Serbia and in other provinces. Cubrilovic stated that Serbian historiography, from Vuk Karadzic to the latest works of young historians, thoroughly researched, studied and described everything relevant to the uprising, from reasons and causes, to actors, outcomes and consequences, and that there is not much to add to the topic. “But what is not well known in our public is the fact that the echoes of the First Serbian Uprising were also among the Serbs in then Bosnia. Participants in the Masici’s and Jancic’s rebellion of 1806 and 1809 in the Bosanska Krajina region, who, in solidarity with the brothers from Serbia, were raised against the Ottoman government and their depredations in Bosnia, also showed that we are one people. Unfortunately, we Serbs from then Bosnia did not have a leader like Karadjordje, so these rebellions were quelled for a few days and the participants were cruelly punished. But, it was also enough to inflame the spark of freedom, to awaken the hope that liberation was possible, to strengthen the awareness that Serbs, on both sides of the Drina, are a unique people,” Cubrilovic said. He stressed that this is indeed the case and that is why Serbia and RS uniquely mark this date, and stated that in RS is the Veterans’ Day today, a holiday established by the Veterans Organization stemming from the last patriotic-defense war, precisely as a remembrance of the beginning of the First Serbian Uprising.

Cubrilovic has emphasized that today’s two Serbs’ states - Serbia and RS, cooperate openly, sincerely and fraternally in all fields, without any harm to any other people or state, and that this cooperation has never been better and more fruitful. “In the last few years, the Republic of Serbia has invested significant funds in almost every municipality of RS, as well as in several Serb-majority municipalities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are truly grateful to the Republic of Serbia for that. What Leader Karadjordje, could not or did not managed in his day, today's generations of Serbs and their political representatives are succeeded,” said Cubrilovic.

He has said that RS has no one in the world today who provides it as much assistance as Serbia does, but, said Cubrilovic, Serbia also has no one who is as loyal to it and as staunch as it is RS.

“We in RS, every success of Serbia, in any field, perceive as ours, because we are one and indivisible people, and lived the brotherly love, harmony and unity of the Republic of Serbia and the RS, lived the Serbian people, and Serbia and RS lived,”  Cubrilovic said in his address to mark the Statehood Day of Serbia in Orasac.

 

Metropolitanate wants the law to be amended (CdM)

 

Montenegrin Prime Minister, Dusko Markovic, and representatives of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and other dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro headed by Metropolitan Amfilohije discussed the Law on Freedom of Religion. The meeting was concluded in the spirit of mutual understanding. Both sides agreed that the conversation was constructive and open. “Both sides expressed their views on the issues related to the Law. Church sticks to its view that the Law is in contravention of the Constitution and international standards. The government thinks that the Law can be applied as a modern law, harmonized with the Constitution and European standards,” government representatives said. Representatives of the Episcopal council submitted proposal for the amendments to the Law. “The government acknowledged this initiative and said that response required comprehensive consideration of the Law and other possibilities legal system offered. It was agreed that talks should be resumed at expert level,” government said.

 

Djukanovic: Markovic’s meeting with Metropolitan Amfilohije is encouraging (RTCG)

 

The first meeting between Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic and Metropolitan Amfilohije is encouraging, as the experience shows no solution can be reached without talks, said Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic for the public broadcaster, TVCG. Readiness for discussion means readiness to hear arguments that would prove some starting points were wrong, having in mind that the opinion of the State and the Serbian Orthodox Church, SPC, concerning the religious freedom law quite differ. “I believe that this is the only possible way to overcome misunderstandings, to bring in a better mutual understanding, to contribute to reducing tensions that have erupted completely unreasonably in the Montenegrin society,” he said. Following the Munich Security Conference, Djukanovic assessed that this year’s event again confirmed that security represents the European and world’s core topic – a center where all modern processes are being monitored and where the increasingly uncertain future is being discussed, as we live in a world with more and more weapons and weaker security. “This was another successful security forum where a number of warnings could be heard, which, I believe, decision makers, especially on the global and the European plan as well, will know to appreciate, and based on which they will make decisions in order to strengthen stability and security in the world and open a perspective of better democratic and economic development,” Djukanovic said.

 

Focus of the international community again placed on the Western Balkans

Djukanovic assessed that the Munich Security Conference was an opportunity for holding one of the most representative meetings about the WB. “It was a gathering attended by leaders of the Western Balkan countries, high-ranking representatives of the EU and member states, high representatives of the United States, and also representatives from expert and diplomatic circles. As it was a closed meeting, it’s impossible to talk about its contents but all I want to say is that we had a discussion with encouraging tones.”

 

Montenegro is absolutely capable of solving its internal issues in a democratic way

The Conference, according to the President, was an opportunity for holding a series of bilateral meetings on its sidelines, which he used to inform his interlocutors about “what remains the strategic direction of further state-political development of Montenegro, about current events in Montenegro, to convey them optimism, and what I truly believe is that Montenegro is absolutely capable of resolving all its internal issues in a democratic way, in accordance with European standards, thus confirming its essential affiliation to the contemporary European and Euro-Atlantic civilization.”

 

Parliament dissolves, opens way for elections on 12 April (Republika)

 

The parliament finally voted to dissolve itself, after the scandalous vote on the law on state prosecutors, and the vote to rename the Macedonian army. A total of 108 representatives voted in favor of dissolving the parliament, which opens the way for early elections on 12 April. The delays, imposed by the ruling SDSM party, already intruded on the 60 days deadline provided in the Constitution.

 

Scandal in the parliament: Zaev’s law on state prosecutors was rejected, but was later declared adopted (Republika)

 

The parliament failed to approve the PPO law on state prosecutors today when only 74 representatives voted in favor, but in violation of parliamentary procedures, speaker Talat Xhaferi ordered a repeat of the vote. It was then declared that 80 representatives were in favor, still short of the 81 votes needed to adopt a systemic law, but Xhaferi declared it adopted.

This prompted outrage in the parliament building, as members of the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party accused the Zaev regime of staging a criminal vote for a law that Zaev hopes will protect him from future criminal investigations. The chaotic scene was the culmination of days of political tension, during which the SDSM party gave concessions to ethnic Albanian parties, and again bribed and blackmailed the so-called “Gang of eight”, in an attempt to push through a systemic law without the approval of the opposition. The PPO law would entrench Zaev loyalists at the top positions in the state prosecutor’s office, and would ban the prosecutors from using wiretaps as indications of wrongdoing on the part of the government. It has become a huge priority for Zaev, who fears he will lose the 12 April elections, and has in the mean-time racked up an impressive number of criminal and corruption scandals to his name. Criminals! You are criminals. You asked for a vote and out of 113 representatives, 74 were in favor. By law, the proposal is not accepted. You have no right to order a re-vote. You had to accept that the vote failed. This violates the Constitution and the parliament rules, said Nikola Micevski, after Xhaferi ordered the parliament to vote again, “correctly” this time. Several members of parliament from Zaev’s coalition, such as Liljana Popovska and Ferid Muhic, stalled after the failed original vote. Popovska claimed that she meant to vote but was not registered. Xhaferi did not allow VMRO-DPMNE representatives to speak, and as soon as Popovska and Muhic were done, ordered a new vote, when 80 were listed as being in favor, with 8 opposed. VMRO-DPMNE walked out of the parliament after the scandal. They announced they will only return for a vote to finally dissolve this parliament and prepare elections. SDSM and their allies went on to adopt a law that would support the PPO law and amend the law on defense in order to rename the Macedonian army into the Army of the Republic of “North Macedonia.

 

VMRO: Democracy was trampled today, Pendarovski has not right to sign this law into force (Republika)

 

VMRO-DPMNE representatives walked out of the parliament hall following the scandalous events when the already rejected PPO law was put to a new vote. The opposition said that it considers the law invalid and that President Stevo Pendarovski has no right to sign it into force.

Today we witnessed how democracy was trampled in the parliament of Macedonia. The law got only 74 votes, but this vote was canceled and a new one ordered 10 minutes later. There is no democracy in the world where you can repeat the vote if you don’t like the outcome, said Nikola Micevski, head of the VMRO group in parliament. He asked the Zaev regime if this is the way in which he wants to implement “European values” in Macedonia, and called on the international representatives in Macedonia to condemn the actions of the regime. The law would entrench Zaev loyalists as prosecutors and ban the prosecution from using wiretaps as indications of crimes on the part of high level government officials, and Zaev as desperate to have it adopted, following the long list of criminal scandals that involve himself and his top lieutenants. The unlawful vote is another piece of evidence of the crimes of the government. The public was told that the laws don’t apply if you are in power, that the criminals in power can adopt any kind of law they want, in order to secure yet another pardon for Zoran Zaev. We need the parliament to dissolve now, Micevski said.

 

Pendarovski ignored the scandalous vote and signed the PPO law (Republika)

 

Despite the glaring illegal manner in which it was adopted, President Stevo Pendarovski quickly signed the PPO law on state prosecutors today. Pendarovski ignored calls from the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party not to sign the law, that was adopted without broad consensus and was voted on twice – the second time in clear violation of parliament rules. Pendarovski also signed the law on the Council on public prosecutors, that is meant to accompany the PPO law. It’s adoption is also highly questionable, as it was supposed to be adopted under the Badinter rule, which means it needs the support of a majority of members of parliament who are ethnic minorities. But speaker Xhaferi failed to hold the Badinter vote, making the adoption of this law also irregular.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Seventy-five Serbian troops to march in Victory Day parade on Moscow’s Red Square (TASS, 17 February 2020)

 

BELGRADE, Russia expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and troops from the Balkan country to take part in the military parade on Moscow’s Red Square on May 9 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said on Monday. "This year, we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two. The heroic efforts of our ancestors who fought shoulder to shoulder ensured the joint victory over Nazis and their accomplices," the Russian defense chief stated at a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vulin in Belgrade. "On May 9, we are expecting President Vucic, you and Serbian servicemen to take part in the parade on Red Square," Shoigu reported. "And I am confident that your military contingent will march in a very dignified manner across Red Square, across the square that saw a parade of victors in 1945," he added. In turn, Vulin informed that 75 Serbian troops would take part in the military parade on Red Square. Also, representatives of the Syrian army will take part in the ceremony of opening a memorial gallery, the Memory Road, at the Russian Armed Forces Cathedral being built at the Patriot Park in the Moscow Region to mark the 75th anniversary of the Victory in WWII. The Russian defense minister also congratulated his Serbian counterpart and the entire Serbian people on the national holiday, Serbia’s Statehood Day.

 

Other Russia-based events involving Serbian military

The Serbian military will take part in the Moscow Conference on International Security, the Army Military and Technical Forum and the International Army Games this year, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu on Monday. Serbia was really happy to see Shoigu’s re-appointment as Russia’s defense chief, Vulin commented. "We have no better friend in this post than you," Vulin stated. He called Russia-Serbia military and technical cooperation successful, noting the Russian defense minister’s personal contribution. "I want to thank you for the invitation to the Moscow Conference on International Security. We have Army Day at that time but I will come for one day," Vulin vowed. The Serbian military will also take part in the International Army Games this year, he added. "I sincerely hope that our results in the Tank Biathlon will be better this year. Last time, we failed to get into the final but I hope that this year we will at least reach the final," the Serbian defense minister went on. "We will also take part in the Army-2020 forum. This is traditional," the Serbian defense minister concluded. In turn, Shoigu commented that bilateral military cooperation was developing dynamically. The number of the two countries’ joint practical events is increasing with every passing year, he underscored.