LOCAL PRESS 

Brnabic and Borrell: Political and economic aspects of negotiations (Tanjug/RTV) 

The Serbian government stated that at a meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council between Serbia and the EU held on Thursday, the overall progress achieved in Serbia’s accession negotiations so far was commended, as well as the adoption of an improved enlargement methodology that should accelerate Serbia’s EU accession process. The participants in the meeting exchanged opinions on the current political and socio-economic situation in Serbia, and above all on the further dynamics of negotiations on EU accession, cooperation within the Common Foreign and Security Policy, as well as regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Accordingly, they welcomed the fact that the new government has placed EU integration, preserving public health and economic growth, as well as normalizing relations with Pristina at the top of its priority list. At the meeting held via video link due to the pandemic, the Serbian delegation was led by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic. The EU delegation was headed by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi. Borrell especially expressed gratitude for the participation of Prime Minister Brnabic, which is not the usual format, but which unequivocally shows how much importance the Serbian government attaches to the Stabilization and Association Agreement and Serbia’s EU path. The interlocutors discussed current relations between Serbia and the EU, primarily the process of Serbia's accession to the EU, as well as political and economic criteria, harmonization of domestic legislation with the EU acquis, as well as the implementation of the EU pre-accession assistance. The EU representatives reiterated the EU’s commitment to Serbia’s EU future and called for proactive and strategic communication between Serbia and the EU. They also talked about the way in which Serbia is facing the consequences of the pandemic, both in terms of resolving the health crisis and in overcoming the consequences for the economy in general and the implementation of reforms. The participants agreed that good neighborly relations and regional cooperation are key elements of the enlargement process, and to that end welcomed the continued dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and Serbia’s consistent commitment to the process. The EU representatives welcomed Serbia’s significant contribution to military missions and operations, as well as Serbia’s participation in EU battle groups, stressing the importance of further deepening cooperation on foreign policy issues. The participants in the meeting also supported the Common Regional Market, launched by Western Balkan leaders at a summit in Sofia on 10 November, and recalled that the Western Balkans Economic and Investment Plan, adopted by the European Commission on 6 October 2020, provides a comprehensive framework to support economic convergence of Serbia and the EU region.

Brnabic: Next year to be more successful in terms of EU integration (Tanjug/RTV/Novosti) 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated on Thursday that EU membership is a priority and strategic goal of Serbia and voiced hope that next year will be much more successful than 2020 in terms of European integration. Speaking at a plenary session of the National Convention on the EU, Brnabic said that she had just completed a session of the Council for Stabilization and Association in Brussels with Serbian Minister for EU Integration Jadranka Joksimovic, at which all relevant topics for Serbia’s European integration at this moment and preparations for 2021 were discussed. She said that three key priorities of the Serbian government in the field of EU integration are the rule of law, the economy and environmental protection. Brnabic underlined that the rule of law is the biggest priority and that the new government has already undertaken important activities in that field during the first month and a half of its mandate. She pointed out that constitutional reforms are key in the field of justice, noting that the government has again sent an initiative to the parliament to change the Constitution in the field of justice. I am especially glad that, although there is criticism from a part of the public in Serbia and the EU that nothing has been done in that area so far, a lot has changed through the process of reforming the Constitution. According to her, in the past we have had changes to the Constitution, and even to a greater extent than just changes in the field of judiciary, but we have never had a public debate about those changes before. Brnabic recalled that now there has been a public debate on what should be changed in the Constitution, which lasted for 18 months. She voiced hope that the parliament will start dealing with that topic soon and that there will be another round of public debate shortly. She added that there are some mechanisms for the improvement of the judiciary, which are now being developed together with EU partners, such as the formation of a unified judicial information system. She expressed the expectation that a debate will begin in the parliament by the end of the year on the adoption of the proposal of the High Judicial Council for court presidents and judges, which will be a big step forward. Speaking about the media, Brnabic recalled that the Serbian government adopted the Media Strategy Action Plan and that a Working group for monitoring the implementation of the strategy was formed, which was completely inclusive. In addition, a Working group for the protection and safety of journalists was also formed, and journalists' associations pointed to the need of forming an institutional working group within the government. Speaking about the economy, Brnabic reiterated that Serbia will end 2020 with the smallest drop in GDP in Europe of only one percent, while in the countries of the region, the fall in GDP is expected to be between four and 12 percent.

Dacic: EC Report for the first time before MPs by the end of the year (RTS/Tanjug) 

Serbia’s commitment to EU membership is unquestionable, it is a strategic goal and the government’s chief foreign policy priority, said Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic at the session of the National Convention on the EU. “We are fully aware that there are numerous challenges and obligations that lie ahead in this process, reforms that we must implement, however we do not fulfil them because of the EU, but to strengthen all the potentials of our country and better the lives of our citizens,” said Dacic. He added that the current legislature of the parliament supports the government, which is in charge of coordinating and leading the negotiation process, but at the same time, does not forget that it too is competent to participate in fulfilling what is known as ‘political criteria’ for membership. In that sense, Dacic said that it was important that the EC Progress Report on Serbia would be presented to the MPs in session for the very first time, where there would be an opportunity for an open discussion and the adoption of conclusions. That session should be held on 28 December, Dacic announced.

He reminded the attending that the EC had said that the parliament reduced the number of laws passed by urgent procedure, as well as the previous practice of obstruction of the work of the parliament, stating that the urgent procedures have gone down to 19 percent between 1 March 2019 and 31 March 2020 compared to 44 percent during 2018. “The intention is to continue with this practice, so that this parliamentary legislature will adopt all laws in a regular procedure, and only exceptionally by urgent procedure,” said Dacic, adding that he would try to organize as many public hearings and committee meetings outside the parliament, although the epidemic makes it quite difficult. Dacic also stated that one of the EC’s objections was incendiary speech against political dissidents used in the parliamentary debate, and that it is necessary to adopt a Code of Conduct for MPs. The drafting of the Code is in the final phase, and its adoption could be expected by the end of the year, said Dacic and stated that this document, along with the existing ones, will contribute to greater tolerance and democratic culture. Regarding the inter-party dialogue, he reiterated that the second phase will be organized in the upcoming period, within which open issues will be discussed in order to improve the election conditions, as well as the objections set out in the EC Report. “I expect those talks in the first part of next year, which I will discuss these days with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister,” said Dacic. He reminded the attending that that the final financial statement for 2019 was adopted seven days ago, which, as he said, was the first time that the budget for 2021 and the final financial statement for 2019 were on the agenda at the same time. “I am convinced that the parliament will continue to have an intensive agenda, which will oblige it to be efficient, but not at the cost of fully respecting democratic procedures and toleranc,” said Dacic, adding that the parliament is ready to continue the good cooperation with all partners on an extremely important job, in fulfilling the common goal - acceleration and better fulfilment of the criteria for Serbia’s EU membership.

Memorandum on joint use of diplomatic missions with Hungary signed (Tanjug) 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the joint use of diplomatic and consular missions in Budapest today by which Serbian and Hungarian diplomats are enabled to reside and work under one roof. After signing the memorandum, Selakovic said that it shows supreme trust between the two countries. The memorandum we signed today will enable Serbian diplomacy to be present in those countries where Hungary has diplomatic and consular missions and will enable Hungarian diplomacy to be present where we have our embassies, but they do not, Selakovic explained. He expressed hope that soon, at the sixth joint session of the governments of Serbia and Hungary, the first annex will be signed, which will enable the implementation of that Memorandum.

Serbia takes over chairmanship of Energy Community (Tanjug/Beta) 

Serbian Minister for Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlovic, on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, took over the presidency of the Energy Community in 2021. After the meeting of the EC Council of Ministers, Mihajlovic said that next year will be about seeking common answers to energy and environmental challenges and better connections in the region. Every crisis is difficult and brings with it challenges, such was the case in 2020, when Montenegro held the EU presidency. But I believe 2021 will be a year of recovery. We expect great changes in the energy sector, on which we will all work together, from increasing energy efficiency, green energy, and decarbonization as perhaps the biggest challenge in our region, said Mihajlovic. She emphasized that the goal is for Serbia in 2021, as the presiding country of the EC, to be an example to other members, both in the adoption and implementation of regulations in the field of energy and climate change, and in implementing reforms and creating modern and efficient energy companies.

REGIONAL PRESS 

 

Ukrainian Embassy to B&H demands explanation from B&H about icon Dodik gave to Lavrov as gift, claiming it is Ukrainian stolen cultural heritage (FTV)

FTV reports on a new scandal that shakes Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) in the recent days. The newest one refers to the gilded icon that Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik presented as a gift to Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. Ukrainian officials claim this is a 300-year old icon from Lugansk, a national treasure of this country. FTV stated that this icon was stolen from Ukraine and it made it to B&H through some channels. The entire case will be investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H, in cooperation with the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) and the INTERPOL. Dodik reportedly gave an Orthodox Christian icon to Minister Lavrov during his visit on Monday.

The Ukrainian Embassy to B&H has sent a note demanding an “urgent explanation regarding the possession of their cultural heritage, which according to allegations from the note, was given as a gift” B&H Foreign Affairs Minister Bisera Turkovic said. It is important to note that on the back of the icon there is a seal reading as follows – Ukrainian SSR National Committee of Education of Ukraine, Odesa Regional Commission for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, which functioned in the 1920s and 1930s. The gilded icon is 300 years old and originates from Lugansk, a region in eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists. Ukraine has been fighting rebels in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions since 2014 following Moscow’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Chief Editor of ‘Euromaidanpress’ in Ukraine, Alya Shandra said that the icon was probably sold on the black market. “But, the president of B&H should know that buying antiquities at the black market and its presentation as a gift to one of the world leaders, saying it was Ukrainian, was not a really wise diplomatic move,” Shandra underlined.

The Embassy of Ukraine to B&H also joined the whole story, sending a note demanding urgent reactions from domestic institutions and answers on how the icon of Ukrainian cultural heritage fell into the hands of Milorad Dodik. The letter from the Ukrainian Embassy to the B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that “failure to provide to the public immediate and unequivocal refutation of information from the top leadership of B&H, which is related to the said gift, possession or transfer in any way of cultural, historical or religious values originating in Ukraine, temporarily under the occupation of the Russian Federation, will mean the support of the highest institutions of B&H to the aggressive policy and military actions of Russia against Ukraine, which has already resulted in the death of thousands of Ukrainian citizens”. “The accusations contained in the diplomatic note from the Embassy of Ukraine in B&H are very serious. They carry special weight because Dodik is the Chairman of the Presidency of B&H, but even if he is not, it is very unacceptable to dispose with stolen goods on the territory of one country”, Turkovic emphasized. Turkovic said the entire case will be investigated by the B&H Prosecutor’s Office, and if it is proven that the icon illegally came into B&H, a demand for its return from Russia will be submitted.

Komsic: If information about icon proves to be true, someone has to be arrested (O kanal)

During Thursday's visit to Mostar, Croat member of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic commented the affair ‘Ikona’ which refers to the gilded icon that Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik presented as a gift to Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. Ukrainian officials claim this is a 300-year old icon from Lugansk, a national treasure of this country, and they seek explanation as to how it found its way into B&H. Komsic said that if the information of the Ukrainian Embassy in B&H proves to be right, someone will have to be arrested. Komsic said that if it is true that the icon was brought to Banja Luka during the time of armed conflicts in Ukraine, then someone has to be arrested for this, if B&H wants to preserve a shred of its dignity as a country. Komsic added that Dodik should explain the origin of this icon. "If it is true that this is an icon that originates from Ukraine and that it was brought to Banja Luka during the conflict in Ukraine, that it was stolen, then if we want to be a state even for a minute then someone has to go to jail or Presidency Chairman Dodik needs to say where he got it," Komsic underlined. Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic said that he does not want to comment on this matter until all facts are known.

Radoncic criticizes B&H politicians for searching outside assistance in their election campaigns (Dnevni avaz)

SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic took it to social networks to comment the visit of DF leader Zeljko Komsic to City of Mostar on the eve of the local elections there, as well as arrival of Komsic’s advisor Cedo Jovanovic and in this regard behavior of other political actors who often search for ‘outside’ assistance from politicians from the countries. The daily carried Radoncic’s entire post in which he stressed that Komsic brought Jovanovic to Mostar, HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic is bringing Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Milorad Dodik in his election campaign uses guests from Belgrade starting with Aleksandar Vucic and Aleksandar Vulin, while SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic is searching for assistance in Ankara i.e. former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu or President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Radoncic stressed that the most hypocritical behavior is demonstrated by each of those politicians, who criticize their opponents for asking outside assistance, while they all do the same thing. In this regard, Radoncic concluded that it is high time to make it legally impossible to use B&H “as a training ground for paternalistic speculations and annulling of its statehood and sovereignty”.

 

Croatia, international community promise help to Mostar after elections; Sattler: Independent observers will monitor elections in Mostar (HRT1)

The local elections will be held in Mostar on Sunday. According to the reporter, citizens of Mostar expect development and investments, while Croatia and the international community (IC) promise help to Mostar after the elections. HRT1 reported that the international community supports the elections and calls on citizens to vote. Head of the EU Delegation to B&H Johann Sattler announced that independent observers will monitor the elections in Mostar at all of the 151 polling stations to ensure that every vote is properly counted. Sattler added: “I welcome every effort for strengthening of the rule of the law and transparency”. Speaking about the upcoming elections, former deputy speaker of the Mostar City Council Danijel Vidovic reminded that the last time that the local elections were held in Mostar was 12 years ago. He explained that citizens of Mostar will be able to vote for two lists; the first one is a single city list and the other one refers to the city areas that they belong to. Citizens of Mostar will vote in the elections for 35 councilors in the Mostar City Council that will elect a new mayor.  The reporter reminded that leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic and leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic reached an agreement on an important technical detail about the elections in Mostar. In this regard, HRT1 reminded of Covic’ statement that they called on the OSCE and the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) to move all activities regarding Mostar to this city in order to avoid any kind of speculations. There are 100,864 eligible voters.

 

Krivokapic: Montenegro wants the best relations with everybody (CdM)

Montenegro wants the best relations with everybody, especially with Russia, Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic said during the meeting with the Ambassador of Russia to Montenegro, Vladislav Maslenikov. “In a friendly conversation with the Russian Ambassador, we agreed to improve cooperation in the area of culture, education, tourism and economy…” Krivokapic wrote on his Twitter account.

Adzic: SPC will have to register (CdM)

As I announced before elections, we are going to amend discriminatory articles but the law will stay. The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) will have to register just like other religious communities in Montenegro, said Filip Adzic, member of URA. “This law is necessary and no religious community or an individual, physical person or legal entity can’t be above the law or the Constitution. I am absolutely against discrimination of any religious community,” Adzic said. At the request of SPC, articles 61,62,63 and 64 have been removed from the law. “Religious community, or part of the religious community, whose religious center is abroad is free to decide whether it will request registration in the Unique records,” the amended enactment states. In order for the amendments to be adopted, 41 MPs must vote for them. Since views of the members of the coalition For the future of Montenegro and Peace is our nation are already known, many people believe that Adzic’s voice will be decisive. So, a group of citizens has initiated petition entitled “Montenegro’s fate in the hands of man from Cetinje,” calling on Adzic to reject amendments to the law.

 

EU conclusions blocked: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria say Bulgaria is allowed to take things too far (Republika)

No conclusions on the Western Balkans have been adopted in Brussels. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria have objections to Article 8 of the conclusions proposed by Germany on the misinterpretation of history. Although according to Berlin the clause would apply equally to Macedonia, Bulgaria and Greece, some countries still find the historical context in the conclusions unacceptable. Unofficially, the position of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria was that Bulgaria was allowed take things too far. The disputed clause reads “The Council recalls the Prespa Agreement between Macedonia and Greece and the Agreement on Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation between Macedonia and Bulgaria and emphasizes the importance of their continued implementation. These two major steps should effectively end all claims based on misinterpretation of history.” The failure to adopt the conclusions was also confirmed by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In an official statement, the Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek said his country strongly supports the enlargement process. The existing text with the conclusions implies further complications on the road in the enlargement process, according to the statement from his office. On the other hand, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expects a solution in the near future. Answering questions from the chair of the European Affairs Committee Guenter Krichbaum, Merkel said she was in contact with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Krichbaum criticized Germany’s presidency for failing to start negotiations with Macedonia. Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani also believes that there is a deep disappointment in Macedonia due to the failure of Germany’s presidency to adopt the negotiating framework. He said this after meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Budapest. Yesterday’s EU conclusions said that the candidate countries should do everything to put an end to the misinterpretation of history. I agree, but I think the ‘Elephant in the Room’ is more about preventing misinterpretation of the present and the future, Osmani said, referring to the Frontex Deployment Agreement stuck in the bloc bodies precisely because of Bulgaria’s opposition to accept and to recognize the present. In this regard, the Minister pointed out that Macedonia has bridged this challenge through bilateral agreements with EU member states, which additionally speaks of the authentic European course of the country. That the negotiating framework will not be adopted and that the first intergovernmental conference will not be held became clear on December 8, when Bulgaria vetoed the conclusions due to the dispute with Macedonia.

Czech Republic and Slovakia on ‘veto on Bulgaria’: We will not allow EU to be the judge of our shared history, how we identify ourselves or the language we use (Republika)

We will not allow that the EU to be the judge of our shared history, how we identify ourselves or the language we use, Czech and Slovak Foreign Ministers Tomas Petricek and Ivan Korcok said in a joint statement, after they did not agree on the EU conclusions on the enlargement. In the final text of the conclusions, at the request of Bulgaria, the clause “misinterpretation of history” was used, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia consider that it is harmful and will bring about further complications down the road. Given the key role of this document and upon careful consideration we were unable to give our consent to the draft presented for approval today. The text as it stands contained elements including the notion of falsifying history that in our view would be hugely detrimental to the enlargement process and could potentially bring about further complications down the road. The main goal is and remains to adopt the negotiation framework as soon as possible and we believe after further analysis that the current text could complicate its adoption down the road. We will not allow that the Union be the judge of our shared history, how we identify ourselves or the language we use, reads the statement. Furthermore, we are deeply disappointed that the negotiating frameworks for both Macedonia as well as for Albania have not been approved, the ministers said.

Bulgaria complains to EU about the blockade of the Czech Republic and Slovakia (TV 24)

Bulgaria has reacted to the blockade on the conclusions on the enlargement of the Western Balkans to the EU Council by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, TV 24 reported. The position of official Sofia has been sent to all 26 other member states of the Union, where the Government of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov complains about the unexpected blockade of yesterday’s conclusions. In their position, they say that the veto from Prague and Bratislava undermines the credibility of the EU. The Czech Republic and Slovakia do not agree with the conclusions approved for the Western Balkans by the ambassadorial body Coreper in Brussels, which include a clause of misinterpretation of history.

Mickoski: Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria reacted in time not to destroy Macedonia’s history (Republika)

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski pointed out that Macedonia’s friends such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria reacted in time not to destroy Macedonia’s history and thwarted the plan of the Prime Ministers of Macedonia and Bulgaria, Zoran Zaev and Boyko Borisov, to be included in the EU conclusions on enlargement. Mickoski pointed out that as Zaev failed in Macedonia due to the critical mass that was created, together with Borisov they set out on a new plan for history to enter the conclusions, so that Zaev could justify himself to the citizens, that is, to say that if we want the EU we must give up history. Our friends from the Czech Republic and Slovakia notice that, and now Austria joins them and they say that this cannot be included in the conclusions. These are the people who love Macedonia more than their own prime minister. We should congratulate them, they are people part of the Visegrad Group, which also includes Poland and Hungary, he said.

 

Osmani from the Albanian parliament: Serbia must apologize and be punished (Tirana Times)

In her second day of visit in Albania as the Acting President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani addressed the Albanian parliament with a speech that not only echoed the common past of Kosovo and Albania, but also reserved harsh tones against Serbia. “Serbia must repent, apologize and be punished, and not be rewarded,” said Vjosa, while discussing the subject of the exchange of territories in the parliament, adding that the Kosovo territory is untouchable. Her remarks were applauded by a parliament which saw the absence of Prime Minister Rama. While emphasizing the sacrifices of Kosovo during the war with Serbia, Vjosa recalled that “there are still 1,600 people missing.” Following yesterday’s conference with President Meta, Vjosa again repeated her quest to the Albanian parliament to approve the resolute that condemns the Serbian genocide in Kosovo. “No one in the Albanian soil should be worried to save Serbia’s face,” added Vjosa. The Acting President talked also about the exchange of territories, stating that Kosovo’s territories are untouchable.

Rama meets Osmani (Radio Tirana/Euronews Albania)

Prime Minister Edi Rama received yesterday in an official meeting the Acting President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, as part of her three-day official visit in Albania. Rama shared only a couple of photos from the meeting with Osmani in his Facebook page, with a simple caption: “With Acting President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani”, followed by the signs of the flags of Albania and Kosovo, and a heart emoji. No further comments were made by the Prime Minister, making it clear that the relationship between the two leaders is not in its best of the days. Earlier in the day, while Osmani was making her speech in the Parliament of Albania, the media raised the issue that Prime Minister Rama was not attending her speech. In an interview for Euronews Albania, Osmani said that she didn't notice that Rama was missing. At the other hand, the Vice-leader of the Democratic Party Edi Paloka considered the absence of Rama in the parliament a “shameful boycott”, adding that by doing so he betrayed the nation, with “an act that has never been done before in Albania.” According to Paloka the reasons behind his movement are political and personal. As for the content of the official meeting between Osmani and Rama, the Acting President said to Euronews Albania that she repeated to Rama the previous claims about the Mini-Schengen, and the request to adopt the resolute condemning Serbian genocide in Kosovo. During her visit in Albania, Osmani has referred to the Mini-Schengen as being a bad project for both Kosovo and Albania, and considered the exchange of territories a “dangerous adventure”.

Ruci with Osmani: Let us not allow the truth about Kosovo be overturned before our eyes! (Radio Tirana)

The President of the Assembly Gramoz Ruci received yesterday Vjosa Osmani, Acting President of the Republic of Kosovo, who is on an official visit to Albania. After welcoming her to the Albanian parliament, Ruci noted that this visit marks an important step in the cooperation between Albania and Kosovo, especially for the parliamentary cooperation, which is very good, but should continue to be expanded and further strengthened. "Kosovo is experiencing a period of dramatic developments for its future and international prestige. We appreciate the dignified attitude of the heads of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and their full readiness to face justice and uncover the truth of the great struggle for the salvation of its people from the monstrous crimes and genocide of Serbia. We should not allow the image of Kosovo to be tarnished, its liberation war and its efforts to build, recognized and integrated as an independent state. The work of the Kosovo Liberation Army is the liberation of Kosovo and its independence, achieved with the support of the people of Kosovo and in partnership with the great and strategic allies of Albania, the USA and NATO. For the liberation of Kosovo, NATO and the Western powers for the first time entered a war, which was assessed as ‘humanitarian intervention’. The KLA and the Kosovar people have been on the right side of history. The truth is that Kosovo, the Kosovo Liberation Army and its leaders were the victims in the face of the aggressor and not the other way around. The justice of this war has been proven by time. Albania is convinced that all allegations against Kosovo's just war leaders, which are unfortunately based on Dick Marty's plagiarism report, prosecutor Carla del Ponte's memoirs and the Serbian prosecution report, are not based on evidence but on defamation of sick fantasies. The unification of the political and national attitudes of all institutions, political forces and public voices, national and international, of Kosovo and for Kosovo is required. Let us not allow the truth of Kosovo to be overturned and the Kosovo file to be removed from the table of the President of the United States of America. President Biden is an even stronger supporter of Kosovo who knows the region and Kosovo," said Ruci.  Osmani thanked Ruci for the cooperation, assistance and contribution of Albania in support of Kosovo.   Ruci and Osmani also talked about the cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the Assembly of Kosovo as well as the exchange of experiences in the field of reforms, European integration, etc.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES 

Vitale: Public diplomacy one of the biggest challenges for NATO in Serbia (EWB, by Vukašin Živković, 18 December 2020) 

We interviewed Brigadier General Tommaso Vitale, Chief of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade, about cooperation between Serbia and NATO, the future perspective of that cooperation and how the citizens of Serbia perceive it, also about the KFOR mission and its new commander, as well as on NATO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

European Western Balkans: Now that you have been in Belgrade for almost a year as the head of the office, what are your impressions of Serbia and the cooperation developed between Serbia and NATO?

Tommaso Vitale: My impressions of Serbia are very positive. By living here and learning something new about your rich culture every day, I had the pleasure of experiencing true Serbian hospitality, feeling the friendliness of the Serbian people and seeing their traditions and the true beauty of your country. Belgrade is a wonderful city. When I arrived at the beginning of the year, I experienced a very warm welcome, something I really appreciated. I have been in Belgrade since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. I was deeply touched by the generosity and solidarity that Serbia showed to me and my countrymen, through the delivery of medical assistance. I believe Italians will forever remember and carry in their hearts what you have done for us. Thank you once again. When it comes to Serbia-NATO cooperation, our partnership is much more developed than it may seem to an ordinary observer at first glance. We do many things together. Serbia is a valued, committed and reliable partner to NATO. The scope and depth of our partnership can be seen, through many prisms. From the many successful projects carried out together in cooperation with the scientific and technological communities to the exchange of knowledge and experiences, through training and exercises, to cooperation in the disaster management domain, as attested by the complex civilian disaster relief exercise held in Serbia in October 2018. We should also remember the good bilateral relations that Serbia has with many NATO member states, including my own country Italy. I feel very privileged to witness the current phase in Serbia-NATO relations; and I look forward to continue to provide my own contribution to their further development.

EWB: Politicians in Serbia are reluctant to talk about cooperation between Serbia and NATO, because that is not a popular topic. The situation is similar with most media. Therefore, the citizens of Serbia do not have the opportunity to be informed about the extensive cooperation between Serbia and NATO. What do you think are the most important aspects of this cooperation?

TV:. Serbia-NATO cooperation dates back to 2006, when Serbia joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme. It is thus based on Serbia’s own request and is tailored to Serbia’s needs and priorities.  It is framed and implemented in full respect of the country’s stated policy of military neutrality. Currently, Serbia can choose from over 1,400 different activities and programmes of cooperation with NATO. In late 2019, Serbia and NATO renewed the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) Programme. The IPAP is a fundamental document, which encompasses political and military issues, by setting priorities and coordinating all aspects of our cooperation. This was a great step forward as it provided us with an agreed cooperation programme for the next two years, featuring over 200 activities for NATO-Serbia cooperation. The Western Balkans is an area of strategic importance for NATO. It is made up of NATO member states and NATO partners. Regional stability is therefore key to ensure that these countries remain secure and develop economically. It is also key to safeguard our shared, euro-atlantic security. Serbia is our partner and it plays a key role in this aspect. As I have said, Serbia is a respected neighbour and trusted partner for NATO in promoting peace, security and cooperation. These are all very important aspects that underpin our relationship and make it mutually beneficial. Stability, prosperity, security and economic growth are what our populations strive to achieve.

EWB: Solidarity is something that NATO often emphasizes as one of the very important values, and in recent months, through its Coordination Center for Emergency Situations, it has provided support to its members and partners. Can you tell us more about that and did Serbia, as a partner country, ask for that support since it has the right to do so?

TV: NATO Allies have stood in solidarity in response to the pandemic, in words and in deeds; and they continue to do so.  In the first half of the year, NATO Allies flew more than 350 flights to transport medical personnel; transported more than 1,000 tonnes of equipment and helped build almost 100 field hospitals and over 25,000 treatment beds. They also cooperated with the scientific community in the development of innovative responses. Our Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre has played a very important role in helping to provide relief to Allies and partners. This Centre is NATO’s principal civil emergency response mechanism in the Euro-Atlantic area; and it operates on a 24/7 basis. Since the start of the pandemic, our Centre has coordinated22 requests for international assistance submitted by Allies, partners and International Organizations, which translated into more than 125 offers in support of requests. Serbia did not formally request assistance through the NATO’s Disaster Response Coordination Centre. Having said that, NATO and individual Allies and partners have provided critical medical assistance to countries in the Western Balkans – including Serbia – to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus. Much of the support came through NATO’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre. Here are a few examples. Turkey has provided masks, overalls and test kits to Serbia and other countries in the region. The Czech Republic has worked closely with Serbia in the development of filters for masks. This was done under a NATO framework of cooperation amongst defence education institutions. The Netherlands helped with transporting protective equipment and medical supplies from China to Montenegro. Austria has offered to provide assistance to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Albania. Including tents, gloves and disinfectants. In Kosovo, our KFOR mission has provided assistance against the Coronavirus to dozen of municipalities, for the benefit of all communities, including with donations of food and clothes, together with charities and the Red Cross. And in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the US and our NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo have provided medical supplies and disinfectants to the national health authorities. Furthermore, in response to the second wave of the pandemic, we have established the NATO Pandemic Response Trust Fund. This Trust Fund includes a readily accessible NATO stockpile of medical equipment and supplies, and funds available to support NATO partners.  We have already received offers of medical equipment and funding. This includes ventilators from the United States and Hungary, protective equipment from Germany as well as financial support in the millions of euros from several NATO Allies. Albania, the Czech Republic, Montenegro and North Macedonia have received dozens of ventilators, as well as around 1.5 Million euros in medical supplies from the stockpile. NATO Allies deployed military medics to the Czech Republic in response to their request for assistance. Some financial support is earmarked to provide relief to our hardest-hit partners, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Moldova, Tunisia and Ukraine. NATO is also supporting innovation through research and scientific collaboration on COVID-19. For example, NATO has tapped into its pool of 6,000 defense scientists, calling for ideas to improve virus detection and decontamination. Through the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, Italian and Swiss scientists are collaborating on a NATO-supported project to develop rapid COVID-19 diagnostics. As part of a coordinated approach, NATO is working closely with other international organizations, including the European Union and the United Nations. Against this background, NATO has ensured that this health crisis did not turn into a security crisis. We have taken all the necessary measures to ensure our forces remained ready, vigilant and prepared to respond to any threat. NATO has thus been able to continue delivering all its vital tasks for the defence and protection of around one billion of its citizens.

EWB: How did KFOR help the local population during the pandemic in Kosovo?

TV: Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Kosovo, the NATO-led KFOR mission has continued to regularly conduct its security tasks in accordance with its mandate derived from the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 – i.e. to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo and preserve archeological, cultural and religious heritage sites. At the same time it has contributed to the local response to COVID-19 through the supply of personal protection equipment and the sanitization of public facilities. KFOR has also facilitated the delivery of aid to the Institutions in Kosovo by NATO Allied and Partner countries. KFOR was my first operational mission. I learned a lot during my time in Kosovo. And I can tell you that, when I was there, and I believe that is a case with almost everyone I met during my deployment, I become deeply aware of the importance of guaranteeing the wellbeing of all of the communities we were serving. This sentiment is only reinforced at a time of a global pandemic, like the one we are currently tackling, which does not know barriers and borders and affects us all equally. From day one, KFOR troops, which come from NATO members and partner countries alike, have played their important role in response to the Covid-19 crisis, by supporting all communities in Kosovo, with a direct, positive effect for the daily lives of the local population. Including children being able to play safely outdoors, and go to kindergarten and schools.  Here are some examples. KFOR helped disinfect a number of primary schools and kindergartens, which permitted their continued regular functioning. It donated a new playground to a primary school that will help kids develop social skills and will serve all communities and ethnicities. In addition, KFOR refurbished a basketball court shared by 2 primary schools for the benefit of children of all communities living in the area and donated special equipment to provide support to children affected by autism. The equipment will allow the improvement of motor skills, skill-related fitness, social functioning and muscular strength and endurance.  In the same framework of NATO funded projects, KFOR delivered air conditioning systems to an institution that provides physiotherapy and other treatments to disabled persons. In order to make sure that all citizens and those in need are protected and well, KFOR donated part of its reserve stocks of lifesaving anti-venom immunoglobulin, in response to an urgent request from the University Clinical Centre in Kosovo and donated Personal Protective Equipment to the Clinic for infectious diseases in Pristina. KFOR also delivered medical instruments and equipment including a sterilizer, an electrocardiogram, glucose monitoring systems and other diagnostic tools to institutions that needed them. These are just some of the examples how the NATO-led KFOR mission has been contributing to the wellbeing of people of Kosovo during the pandemic.

EWB: KFOR has a new commander, Major General Franco Federici. What kind of cooperation do you expect with your colleague and compatriot?

TV: We are all professionals and we take our job and duties very seriously, especially when tasked with the responsibility to provide security to local populations and safeguard their wellbeing. No matter who will be or was the KFOR Commander the mission always remained the same, namely to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo, and preserve archeological, cultural and religious heritage sites, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999. Of course, when your colleague in NATO is your compatriot, someone you have known for years and worked closely with, you are happy and proud. General Federici is an outstanding soldier with a solid track record of military assignments. He is fully committed to his task; and he will carry it out with due diligence.

EWB: Polls show that the citizens of Serbia still have negative attitudes towards NATO and potential membership in it, but that they have a much more positive opinion about mutual cooperation. How satisfied are you with the way this cooperation has been communicated to the public?

TV: One of the biggest challenges for NATO in Serbia is public diplomacy. I think people do not see how much we do together, despite the fact that we are open and transparent about what we do and that we are ready to continue to exchange opinions, positions and views on NATO with all interested parties. We highly respect the Serbian public opinion. Its perceptions and perspectives are a crucial factor we consider in our daily activities. Serbia is a valued, respected and important partner for NATO.  Our cooperation is reliable, mutually beneficial, and articulated in a number of domains. These are the facts, which we focus on communicating in a transparent manner. There is another important point that needs to be communicated more regularly. NATO consists of member states, countries which are Serbia’s neighbours, economic partners, i.e. countries that are in one way or another close to Serbia and to the Serbian people. NATO is Italy, my home country, one of its 12 founding members, NATO is Germany. NATO is Norway, home to our current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO is Greece, Hungary, Spain, Slovakia, Denmark and many other member countries. Of course, we are not complacent. There is always work to do in communicating the scope of Serbia-NATO relations in a factual and transparent manner and in further strengthening our engagement with the Serbian media. So, we will continue to play our part to this end.

EWB: Next year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the NATO Liaison Office and Serbia’s entry into the Partnership for Peace. How do you assess the cooperation in these 15 years and where do you see opportunities for improvement?

TV: Serbia and NATO, side by side, have been developing this partnership steadily for the last fifteen years, improving it even more, day by day, through a mutually beneficial cooperation.

It is up to Serbia to decide where and in what direction it wishes to take this partnership forward. My office has been established exactly to facilitate this process. At Serbia’s request, we carry out a range of joint activities designed to strengthen Serbia’s defence and security capacities, structures and institutions, within the framework of the Partnership for Peace with NATO, signed by Serbia in 2006.