LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: West using all instruments to get "Kosovo" into UN (Tanjug/RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday the West was using all instruments to achieve its ultimate objective of getting the so-called Kosovo into the UN. Asked by reporters if stepped-up pressure on Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia was, in fact, aimed at making Belgrade recognize the so-called Kosovo, Vucic responded that the West was threatening Serbia because it did not want the country to remain "a living proof of someone's arrogance, hypocrisy and wrong policy". "By sacrificing itself, this country would be supposed to correct their mistakes and convalidate all the bad things they did two and a half decades ago," he said.

Even if Serbia were to impose sanctions on Russia, for three days, they would be saying "very nice - you have become a member of the European family," but on the fifth day, they would say that "Serbia must finally decide whether it is on the right side of history or not," Vucic noted.

"And the right side of history is what they tell you, however pointless, arrogant and incorrect it may be," he added.

 

Brnabic: Deepening friendly relations between Serbia, DR Congo (Tanjug/RTS)

 

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke on Friday with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Christophe Lutundula Apala, about deepening friendly relations between the two countries and ways of expanding cooperation, especially in the field of economy and education. At a meeting in the Serbian government, Brnabic said that the visit of the Vice Prime Minister of the government of the friendly country of DR Congo represents a continuation of the political dialogue, which, as she estimated, will be intensified in the coming period. According to her, in the new mandate, the Serbian government will continue to grant scholarships to students from that country, as part of the "Scholarships - World in Serbia" program because this is the best way to invest in the future. She also expressed gratitude for the principled stance and support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and added that Belgrade also supports the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo and provides unreserved support to efforts to overcome existing security challenges in that country. The Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of DR Congo conveyed the warm greetings of the leadership of his country and stated that there is a readiness to establish a new framework of comprehensive multi-sector cooperation. Brnabic once again thanked her interlocutor for the visit and concluded that the development of close contacts between the two friendly countries in the future is extremely important, as a significant pillar of mutual support in times of major world crises.

 

Apala: We support Serbia’s territorial integrity and unity (Tanjug/RTS)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic met on Friday with Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Christophe Lutundula Apala. In his address to reporters after the meeting, Selakovic said that this is an opportunity for Serbia to once again highlight its strong determination to nurture and strengthen traditionally good and friendly relations with African countries, among which DR Congo holds a special place for us.

The Serbian Foreign Minister also emphasized on this occasion that Serbia supports the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo, providing unreserved support to efforts to overcome existing security challenges. I use this opportunity to emphasize once again that Serbia highly values DR Congo's firm support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country and complete commitment to the generally accepted principles of international public law, which both Serbia and DR Congo share, Selakovic said. Lutundula said that his country is committed to the principles of respect for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of states by all countries of the world. When it comes to Serbia, I can assure you on behalf of the president and government of DR Congo that we support the territorial integrity and unity of Serbia, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of DR Congo. According to him, the president and the people of DR Congo attach great importance to the partnership with Serbia, and hope to continue and strengthen cooperation, among other things, through the adoption of an agreement that would take into account the current needs of the two countries.

 

Impetus to reviving traditional friendship between Serbia, Libya (RTS)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said on Sunday, after a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Libya Najla Mohammed El Mangoush that Serbia is willing to develop cooperation with that country in the areas which are mutually beneficial. At a joint press conference, Selakovic expressed his belief that this visit will be an additional impetus to joint efforts to revive the long tradition of friendship between the two countries. According to him, today's meeting was very friendly, open and constructive, and the ministers confirmed their mutual willingness to intensify friendly relations between Serbia and Libya based on decades of friendship and partnership. Our political relations in the past were seriously followed by intensive economic cooperation, but also in many other areas, and we concluded that both nations have gone through difficult periods in their history, but that what lies in the future is up to us, Selakovic said. He emphasized that Serbia is ready to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with Libya in areas such as agriculture, health, energy, education, defense, but also in all other areas. The Minister said that the modalities of economic ties were also discussed, as well as the communication of other ministries. He emphasized that Serbia respects the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, as well as the national unity of Libya and conveyed that during the meeting he asked for more understanding when it comes to our position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. I recognized from my colleague support for the negotiation process that we are leading and that an acceptable solution can only be sought within the framework of diplomatic activities, he emphasized. El Mangoush underlined that she considers today's visit historic and added that her presence in Belgrade is a sign of the determination of the authorities in Libya to turn a new direction in the relations between the two countries. She expressed her gratitude to the government of Serbia for supporting the government of National Unity of Libya in its work to establish stability in that country. We have a great need for negotiations, diplomacy, and that is what will strengthen our countries the most, she said and repeated the call to the Serbian Foreign Ministry to reopen the embassy in Tripoli. Libya is recovering, it is on the way to re-establishing peace and stability, and along the way it welcomes all the support of its friends, she said. After the meeting, the ministers signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two diplomatic academies.

 

Vucic, EU ambassadors discuss global challenges (Tanjug/RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic attended a lunch hosted on Friday by Czech Ambassador Tomas Kuchta for ambassadors of EU member states to Belgrade. "With ambassadors of EU member states, I exchanged views on the challenges facing not only Europe, but the entire world. We must work seriously on ensuring energy security and maintaining peace and security for all our citizens," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram profile that also included photos from the meeting. Vucic thanked Kuchta, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, "for the opportunity for Serbia to also take part in discussions about the future of Europe".

 

Dacic: It's indisputable that SNS and SPS will form Serbia's new government (TV Pink)

 

The leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia Ivica Dacic says it is indisputable that the Serbian Progressive Part (SNS) and his SPS will form Serbia's next government. Last evening, Dacic told a TV Pink talk show that SNS leader Aleksandar Vucic and he once again confirmed their readiness for strategic political cooperation. According to Dacic, he and Vucic are satisfied with what they have achieved together in many areas, since 2012. "We believe it is in Serbia's interest to continue this going forward," said Dacic. He added that meetings of top party bodies should be held this week, where their agreement on strategic partnership reached on Sunday will be confirmed. "But it is indisputable that we will form the new government of Serbia together. We discussed all aspects of politics, individual topics, it was a successful meeting, especially when the young forces joined in," said Dacic. Speaking about the EU asking that Serbia aligns its its visa policy with the bloc because of the increased number of migrants, the leader of the Socialists wondered why the EU allows these migrants to enter its member states (before reaching Serbia), and where that is happening. Dacic stressed that he is in favor of these people being able to enter Serbia without visas and added that the EU wants to punish Serbia because the bloc does not know how to do its part of the job. He commented ironically that Burundi or Tunisia, which have a visa-free regime with Serbia, will now be seen as endangering EU's security. "There should be discussions around that topic, but this is hypocritical. We should ask the question of who is responsible for the thousands of migrants who come to Serbia from the EU, via Bulgaria and Greece. And then they (EU) say, they can come to you, but no further," stressed Dacic and added that no country has adopted a more humane approach towards migrants than Serbia. Speaking about harmonizing Serbia's foreign policy with the EU, Dacic also noted that EU members have increased trade with Russia and asked what kind of sanctions those are.

"I have no doubt that we all want to be part of the EU, but when they used to go from London to Brussels, they always said, 'we are going to defend the interests of Great Britain'. And we are going to defend the interests of Serbia," stressed Dacic. Commenting on the European Commission's report on Serbia's progress, Dacic said that in the last 20 years we have had different reports and recalled that before Karadzic and Mladic got arrested, that was the key issue, and as soon as they were arrested, Kosovo became that, two days later. "Whether we will impose sanctions against Russia is not a question for the EU, but for us, and our answer should be in line with our interest. If that's in our interest, then let's do that," said Dacic. He added that this topic is artificial for Serbia and stressed that it's not about Russia, Ukraine, Germany... but about the issue of territorial integrity. "This is not only a question of the stance toward Russia, but an internal political question of territorial integrity. Serbia has not changed its position by an iota in the past 30 years, but look at how others have been voting during that period," he said.

Dacic added that it is in our interest to "continue our path towards the EU as much as we can" and pointed out that the country's foreign policy will be aligned with the bloc the moment Serbia becomes a member. "Albania has 100 percent alignment and cannot open (EU membership) negotiations. Do we want to say that Kosovo should join the UN? Do we not need to ask for help from Russia, China, Indonesia? If that is not necessary, we will impose sanctions against all of them," said the leader of the Socialists.

 

Giaufret: We urge Serbia to improve alignment with EU policy (Blic/Beta)

 

EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret has said that the EU urges Serbia to improve its alignment with the EU's foreign policy, because it wants to be able to count on its closest allies being completely by its side. In an interview with Sunday issue of Blic, Giaufret said that progressive harmonization with the EU's foreign policy was not a new requirement and that it was part of the negotiation framework. "The EU does not change the rules of the game. Last year, Serbia made a considerable effort to increase its alignment with the EU's foreign policy. Certainly since Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine, that has held greater importance for all of Europe, for all citizens of the EU," said Giaufret. Speaking of "the consequences of the Russian aggression," he said that it "is the number one topic which Europe should deal with collectively".

 

EU Minister criticize Serbia’s visa regime (Beta)

 

Belgrade’s visa regime was strongly criticized by the EU’s interior ministers at a Friday meeting and European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said that if Serbia failed to align its policy with the Union’s, the EU's visa-free regime might be suspended for Serbian citizens. The EU has accused Belgrade of having contributed to an increase in the number of migrants travelling to the Union via the Western Balkans. “I hope that Serbia and other Western Balkan partners will work with us and align their visa regimes with the Union’s,” the commissioner said. Serbian citizens are not required to possess visas for travel in the EU, but the Union insists that alignment with its visa regime is necessary. If Serbia fails to meet this requirement, the EU could decide to suspend the exemption system for its citizens. More than 106,000 irregular entries from the Western Balkan route into the EU have been recorded over the past nine months – a 170% increase compared to the same period last year, the EU Frontex agency reported. “Many of them had to be sent back to their countries of origin, but we also need to ensure that the new trend be stopped,” the European Commissioner explained.

 

Ambassador Hill: Strategic partnership discussed between US and Serbia (VoA/Beta)

 

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill has said that a strategic partnership was discussed between his country and Serbia, and that such an agreement was possible in the future. Speaking about the war in Ukraine and Serbia’s refusal to introduce sanctions against Russia, the US diplomat explained there was understanding for Belgrade’s dependence on Russian energy, but that, “It’s not good that Serbia is still sitting on the fence between good and evil.” Hill said in an interview with the Voice of America that the US has set no specific deadlines for solving the Kosovo issue, but that he hoped for progress soon, adding that his country supported the French-German proposition. “There are many things on which we want to work together with Serbia, and we want the Kosovo issue to be resolved in some form. I’d rather not discuss specificities, that is up to the Europeans. What I can say though is that the Europeans want this thing to move on. It obviously involves difficult issues, but it’s important that both sides understand that there are other things happening in Europe, Ukraine for instance, and that it’s time to make some progress,” Hill said, adding that a good place for Serbian security would be in NATO.

 

Grushko: Pressure on Serbia goes beyond international communication (TASS/RTV)

 

Serbia suffers unprecedented pressure that goes beyond the framework of civilized international communication, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko said in an interview with TASS’ correspondent in Belgrade. “We know perfectly well what unprecedented pressure Serbia faces now. This pressure goes beyond the framework of civilized international communication, but we appreciate that the Serbian leadership is acting in accordance with national interests,” Grushko said. “As for Russian-Serbian relations, nothing has changed in them lately, they are built on an absolutely solid basis of historical friendship and mutual sympathy. They are not directed against anyone and in this sense are not subjected to fluctuations in the political situation,” he said.

 

Refugee Commissioner: Growing number of migrants in Serbia (Politika)

 

Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Natasa Stanisavljevic said that more than 95,000 migrants were registered this year in reception and asylum centers in Serbia, while there were 63,308 in all of 2021. There are currently 5,241 migrants staying at the centers, with approximately 2,500 migrants outside the centers, Stanisavljevic told Politika. She said that most of the migrants come from Afghanistan and Syria, 34.82 percent and 34.5 percent, followed by Pakistanis (4.35 percent). Stanisavljevic explained that the Asylum Center in Vranje is solely used for housing refugees from Ukraine. “There are currently 76 Ukrainians in Vranje, of whom 20 are children of school age who have been attending classes regularly since 1 September,” said the Commissioner. She said the Commission is helping around 3,500 refugees from Ukraine who have found private accommodation in Serbia. Stanisavljevic noted that 117,637 Ukrainians passed through Serbia since the beginning of the war and continued on to other destinations.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Control recount of votes for elections for President and VPs of RS from Doboj starts at Main Vote Counting Center in Sarajevo (Nova BH/ATV)

 

The control recount of votes for the President and Vice-Presidents of Republika Srpska (RS) continued at the Main Vote Counting Center of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) at the Zetra Hall in Sarajevo on Sunday. The recount of votes resumed with the control of ballots from Doboj, which is the city that faced most controversy surrounding possible malversations with the election materials. Specifically, there is suspicion that the Doboj City Election Commission failed to adequately submit the unused ballots to the CEC and this raise doubts as to whether the election process was conducted in line with the law. In 2020, the local elections were repeated in Doboj due to malversations with the election process. When it comes to the results from Doboj, SNSD leader and candidate for RS President Milorad Dodik won around 10,000 more votes than the candidate of SDS and PDP, Jelena Trivic. Nearly 65,000 citizens were registered to vote in the elections in Doboj and a little less than 35,000 of these citizens voted. Around 27,000 ballots were left unused, and the control recount is expected to determine whether these ballots were used for electoral malversations and if the bags with unused ballots really disappeared as some claim was the case. Chairman of the CEC Suad Arnautovic visited the Main Vote Counting Center on Sunday and reminded that part of the election materials from Doboj went missing. Deputy Director of the Main Vote Counting Center Adi Agic explained that the center is in charge of determining what really is in the bags with the election materials from Doboj. “We report the results for elections for the President and Vice-Presidents of the RS to the control department that then submits the report to the CEC”, he concluded. According to what the observers have seen so far, there were no major irregularities. Observers said that they expect more irregularities after scanning the signatures. Counting for Banja Luka, Bijeljina was completed earlier. After the counting for Doboj, the counting for Zvornik, Prijedor, Trebinje, Gradiska and other cities in the RS will follow. According to this dynamic, this process could end in the next 10 days or, as Agic said, within the legal deadline, which is 20 days from election day. According to information obtained by ATV, opposition observers left the Main Counting Center (MCC) in the Zetra Olympic Hall on Sunday, i.e. PDP observers from Doboj Darko Pijunovic and Mirko Pavrovic left the MCC being dissatisfied with the fact that no irregularities and deviations from the preliminary election results published by the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) for Doboj were identified. The reporter notes that, when opening ballot bags, the staff engaged in the counting process found all seals and unused ballots from polling stations in Doboj.

 

According to preliminary results SNSD, SDA, HDZ B&H have got highest number of votes in general elections in B&H in Brcko District (FTV)

 

FTV reports that SNSD, HDZ B&H and SDA have got the highest number of votes in the elections in B&H in Brcko District for all levels of authorities except for B&H Presidency, according to the preliminary results. The voter turnout was 44 percent. Brcko District citizens voted to elect politicians who will represent them in the entity and state-level parliaments. Brcko District election commission stated that there were problems regarding the appointment of members of polling station commissions and their work due to complexity of the election process in Brcko District, as they have not been adequately trained for the election day. Nearly 8,500 invalid ballots were registered in Brcko District, while some 14,000 citizens had no right to vote in the elections because they do not have entity citizenship. FTV carries statements of several citizens in Brcko who voiced divided opinions on their expectations from the elections. Some of them said that they did not even vote in the elections as they do not believe that the situation can be improved, while other said that they hope that the elections will bring positive changes in Brcko District and B&H as a whole.

 

Nearly everyone who pass threshold are interested in formation of new authorities in HNC (BHT1)

 

According to BHT1, nearly everyone who passed the election threshold are interested in formation of new authorities in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC), but HDZ B&H enjoys the best negotiation position. BHT1 reminded that the government of the HNC has been working in the technical mandate for four years. Namely, results of the elections held in 2018 were not implemented and it would not be any news that the HNC is the last one to get new authorities.

Speaking about formation of new authorities, President of the Cantonal Board of HDZ B&H in the HNC Stjepan Boskovic said that their goal is to have the biggest possible in the HNC Assembly so that they can implement reforms. Reporter reminded that in order to form a new majority in the HNC Assembly, parties need to secure support of 20 councilors. HDZ B&H won 11 mandates, SDA won six mandates, HDZ 1990 won three mandates as well as SDP B&H and HRS, DF won two mandates, while the NES and the NiP won one mandate each. According to reporter, they will talk with everyone in order to find a joint stance and to see which reforms they need to perform. Demic noted that members of SDA are cautious, and they wait for confirmation of the final results, adding that they expect to win seven mandates while talks with HDZ B&H on formation of new authorities are not called into question.

 

Ahmetovic on changes imposed by HR Schmidt: His political actions oppose stance of German government and Bundestag (Oslobodjenje)

 

Bundestag member Adis Ahmetovic commented on High Representative Christian Schmidt’s changes to B&H Election Law and Federation of B&H (FB&H) Constitution. He also noted that two out of three recently elected members of the B&H Presidency belong to a progressive and social-democratic group. Ahmetovic said that B&H citizens clearly voted in the October elections for the EU and for more democracy, adding that most of B&H citizens voted for democratic and European forces, for a peaceful life in democracy and prosperity and he added: “However, these political achievements were destroyed with the HR’s interventions on the election day.  Political actions of the HR from Germany do not only undermine the reputation of the OHR but also of B&H and especially of Germany. To make changes of the FB&H Constitution and B&H Election Law on the sacred day of democracy, without prior informing of citizens is globally viewed without a precedent and furthermore it is incompatible with OSCE’s guidelines. Trampling sovereignty of one country and its votes in this way causes huge lack of understanding and embitterers of people in B&H and European Parliament.  It can be heard from the circles from the Croatian Government and those around HDZ that the imposes changes of the HR were formulated in Zagreb.  Therefore, the HR has obviously gambled the trust in the democratic process and credibility of the independent institution of the OHR. The action is also contrary to the stance of the German government and Bundestag…” Ahmetovic argues that it is necessary that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock harshly criticizes Schmidt’s moves and that the USA acts pro-actively with a demand to annul changes imposes by Schmidt. Ahmetovic also commented the statement of Bundestag member Josip Juratovic saying that Juratovic is representing his personal stances that do not have majority support in the Government or in the coalition. He added that it is pity that after 16 year of work Juratovic represents stances of the HDZ Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Ahmetovic called on citizens to oppose further ethnic division of B&H.

 

Covic: HNS will ask OHR to challenge or suspend Komsic’s election to state Presidency (BHT1)

 

The Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) will ask the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to challenge or suspend the election of Zeljko Komsic for the post of a Croat member of the B&H Presidency. This was confirmed by HNS President and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic on Friday after the session of the HNS Presidency. Covic said they will not hold any talks with DF or Komsic, calling Komsic an “usurper” of the post of the Croat member of the B&H Presidency. All HNS members agree with this. HNS believes that Komsic, as someone that usurped the mentioned post for the fourth time, should be declared unwanted in all areas where the HNS has its authorities. During a press conference, Covic said Komsic violated the B&H Constitution by presenting some of his views and stances, and he did so during the pre-election campaign but also after the October 2 elections. Covic emphasized that HNS will talk and cooperate with all political parties in B&H except DF, whose leader is Komsic. Covic said that he will use all mechanisms to dispute the position of Komsic. HNS requested the High Representative Christian Schmidt’s intervention to start those mechanisms. HNS announced that HDZ B&H will not form a coalition with DF. Covic added: “All other parties that make up the legitimacy of one or another constituent people can be partners of HNS representatives, both at the entity level and at the B&H level”. “Komsic still severely violates the Constitution of B&H and in our opinion it is necessary to dispute his legality and legitimacy. That is why DF is not welcome in the talks”, Covic noted. According to Covic, all other parties are potential coalition partners for HDZ B&H and HNS. It was also stated that the only desirable partners are legitimate representatives of Bosniak and Serb people. Covic stated: “The one who will have the majority in the B&H House of Peoples it is clear to you that that this is a legitimate representative and it will not be possible to work in the Council of Ministers without those people.” Covic said that they will have conditions for their future partners, which are the Euro-Atlantic path, the Election Law and constitutional reforms, functional judiciary and the economic-social package. Covic also commented on the decision of the European Commission (EC) which conditionally recommended EU candidate status for B&H. Covic said that they supported this and they set themselves the task of contributing to the opening of that process. Covic stated: “Of course, we adopted a special conclusion related to Commissioner Varhelyi to potentially grant B&H the EU candidate status, on which the EU institutions are expected to give their opinion in December. We have wholeheartedly supported that and tasked ourselves with giving full contribution to opening that process. There are no limitations, with the exception of DF, with whom there is no possibility of communication – that is also one of the conclusions. All other political parties that legitimately represent one or another constituent people can be partners to HNS’ representatives at the entity level, as well as at the level of B&H, without any exceptions.”

 

DF: HNS’ move is expected (BHT1)

 

The Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) will request the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in B&H to contest election of Zeljko Komsic for the Presidency of B&H due to Croat people not being in equal position when deciding on the B&H Presidency member from the ranks of Croat people, because the office “has been usurped by someone who does not represent that people’’. DF issued a statement on Friday in reaction to HNS B&H’s conclusions. DF said parties gathered around the HNS B&H are trying to destroy B&H. “Encouraged by Christian Schmidt's latest decisions, which favor one political party - HDZ B&H, they are now taking a step further towards an attempt to derogate the fundamental right of citizens to vote and choose in accordance with the current Constitution and the Election Law. No one has the right to change the freely expressed will of citizens in elections. However, HDZ B&H's request is quite expected and logical after the (Federation of B&H) House of Peoples was delivered to them by the High Representative. Tomorrow they will ask for territorial reorganization (a third entity), and after that, the dissolution of the state of B&H”, DF emphasized in its statement. DF added that everything is a consequence of the incredible usurpation of the election process during election night and the fraud of citizens in the role of voters by Schmidt.

 

Salkic: HR Schmidt should ensure Bosniaks and Croats in RS same that Croats and Serbs in FB&H now have (Hayat)

 

Bosniak RS Vice-President Ramiz Salkic commented on HR Christian Schmidt’s latest decision on amendments to the Election Law of B&H and the FB&H Constitution and he urged the HR to ensure Bosniaks and Croats in the RS the same that Croats and Serbs in the FB&H have now. Salkic noted that the current authorities in the RS are conducting discrimination through persecution of Bosniaks at the time of peace, as well as with the aim to achieve the wartime goal of creating an ethnically clean Serb Orthodox area.

 

Dodik says at least ten countries in world would currently support RS’ independence (RTRS)

 

In a statement to Balkan TV on Saturday, Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik stated that Republika Srpska (RS) is stable regardless of everything that is being done to destabilize it and trip up the will of the people. Dodik pointed out that the RS will continue to be built and developed regardless of conditions from the EU and blockade of financing of started projects. Dodik stressed that the RS has its economic and political partners. Dodik emphasized that the RS is only one thread in the continuity of the Serb struggle for freedom and independence in these areas, "and today it is particularly evident how important it is for the Serb people". Dodik also stated that the ballot recount has led to “public imbalance”, adding that this is a sign that the RS does not actually belong to B&H. He also told the ‘Balkan TV’ that the latest EC’s recommendation for the EU candidate status of B&H is ridiculous and that the only thing B&H can see is breakdown. Dodik said that he believes that there is growing certainty that the only way out for the RS is its independence that needs to be built primarily through mobilization of the Serb people in B&H and activities aimed at gathering as many friends of the RS as possible internationally. He stressed that at least ten countries in the world would support the RS’ independence now.

 

US Senator Shaheen: I think Putin would prefer for EUFOR to continue its mandate in B&H rather than NATO coming in as backup option (Hayat)

 

US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who is the Chairwoman of the US Senate’s Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation and is one of the key figures for foreign policy in the Senate, stated that she thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer for EUFOR to continue its mandate in B&H rather than NATO coming in as a backup option. Shaheen expressed concern about the mandate of EUFOR, which should be renewed on November 2, and said that it is not clear what Russia will do in the UN Security Council (UN SC) when it comes to this. She added that it is thus important to have a backup plan.

 

Grushko: Russia is concerned about worsening of situation in B&H and believes that development of new conflict in Europe does not suit anyone's interests (RTRS/TASS)

 

Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Grushko said in his interview to TASS news agency on Saturday that Russia is concerned about the worsening of the situation in B&H and believes that the development of a new conflict in Europe does not suit anyone's interests. Grushko noted that Russia has always started from the premise that all geopolitical games in the region should be stopped and countries should be allowed to choose their own destiny. Grushko pointed out that the West views the Western Balkans as an arena of geopolitical struggle with the Russian Federation. He emphasized that Russia does not change its attitude towards political leaders in B&H at all, that it has a very good attitude towards Milorad Dodik, as the leader of the Serb people, who firmly stands in the position of protecting the legitimate interests of the Serbs.

 

Milanovic: Croatia not forgetting its heroes (Hina)

 

President Zoran Milanovic said in Vukovar on Sunday that Major General Blago Zadro gave everything for Croatia and that Croatia will not forget him because it does not forget its heroes.

Speaking at an event commemorating the 31st anniversary of Zadro and Colonel Alfred Hill’s death, by a memorial honoring Zadro at the Trpinjska Cesta location, Milanovic said that Zadro became a military leader even though he had not been trained for it. “That happened because he was not only courageous but had what few people have – energy that turns into strength,” said Milanovic. “It was here that Croatia was created, moving unstoppably towards its independence, but if it had not been for Vukovar, independence would have come later, in less favorable circumstances. That is why the sacrifice of those people is huge and indescribable,” he said. Croatia became a state “exactly owing to such people, and that state is an instrument for the defence of national interests,” Milanovic said. Croatia defended itself unarmed, while under an arms embargo, and the Croatian Army liberated its territory, making the Dayton agreement possible and enabling negotiations, Milanovic said.

 

It takes two for friendship and tolerance

Speaking of relations with neighboring countries, Milanovic said that “it takes two for friendship and tolerance.” “If I go every year to Jasenovac, Grubori and Varivode, I do not expect anyone to worship me for that, but to at least give a nod to the Croat victims at Ovcara. That would be fair, and there is no Europe, good relations or understanding without that.” The envoy for the prime minister and State Secretary at the Croatian War Veterans Ministry, Spiro Janovic, said that 31 years ago Borovo Naselje lost its legendary commander and Croatia one of its Homeland War heroes. Three decades later, the memory of Blago Zadro and other Croatian heroes is not fading. We all need today his vision, patriotism and strength, Janovic said. Addressing the event, the envoy for the parliament speaker, Nikola Mazar, said, among other things, that Zadro was one of the best commanders in the Homeland War.

 

Ambassador: Croatia taking care of historical chapter better than in the past (Hina)

 

Relations between Croatia and Israel are very good because Zagreb has been taking care of "the historical chapter" much better than in the past, Israel's new ambassador to Croatia told Hina in an interview, adding that his main task is the future and development of relations on all fronts.

The relations are now very good, “we enjoy mature relations”, but there is always room for improvement. I think also the historical chapter is being taken care of much better than in the past, Ambassador Gary Koren said about the issue of historical revisionism in Croatia which poisoned relations with Israel at the beginning of Croatia’s independence. Noting that he has already visited Jasenovac, the site of a World War II concentration camp, even though he has been in office only two weeks, the ambassador stressed that the issue of the Holocaust is not new either to him or to any other Israeli ambassador. “In my past, I was dealing with Holocaust matters in other countries: Latvia, Lithuania, even the Czech Republic,” said Koren, a diplomat with a 36-year-long career. Croatia is the fourth country he is serving in. As regards the salute “For the homeland ready”, which was used by Croatia’s WWII Nazi-allied Ustasha regime and which is not banned under the Penal Code even though the Croatian Jewish community has been calling for years for it to be outlawed, Koren said that he is confident the Croatian government “understands this issue perfectly well.” If that is happening, it is sad, it does not help Croatia’s good image, he stressed.

 

Holocaust definition

Koren congratulated Croatia on its many achievements, from membership of the EU and NATO to entry to the euro and Schengen areas in 2023, as well as on the fact that in 2023 it will be chairing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). IHRA has 35 member countries and its main mission is Holocaust education, research and remembrance. “It’s an honour to be a member of this club, but the moment you join this club you take upon yourself some obligations. You cannot just join IHRA because you want it. You have to show some record,” Koren said. One of them is the adoption of IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism. “Croatia is in the process and I hope that ahead of its presidency Croatia will adopt the definition,” the ambassador stressed. A few years ago IHRA experts defined anti-Semitism so that it does not have to be determined over and over again what the term exactly means. Most IHRA countries have adopted the definition, as have some non-members. That definition is important for national authorities but also for football clubs, universities and local government, Koren said. As for anti-Semitic incidents in Croatia and Europe, which he described as a disturbing phenomenon, Koren said that he is aware that such situations have happened here as well, maybe more in the past than now. He is confident that some of those incidents are due to ignorance, prejudice and the folklore, but stresses that there is no room for that phenomenon in a modern European country.

 

Energy security crucial

Koren said that his main task is to strengthen bilateral relations and look more to the present and the future than to the past, which, he said, needs to be respected and should be taught and educated about. Speaking of economic relations, he commended, from a political angle, Croatia’s decision of a few years ago to build a terminal for liquefied natural gas. Energy security is becoming crucial for European countries as well as for Israel. Energy security is one of the areas, and Israel is becoming a country that produces natural gas and is planning to expand export possibilities to Europe, Koren said, adding that Israel already has agreements on energy cooperation with Egypt, Cyprus and Greece. Israel is strong in the areas of innovation, high technology, IT, and cybernetics as well as in agriculture, medicine, water management and renewable energy. We have a lot to offer in those areas, Koren said, adding jokingly that Israel envies Croatia for its tourism results. In the first eight months of 2022, Croatia’s exports to Israel amounted to €68,869,000 while imports from Israel amounted to €29,713,000. Along with economic relations, the ambassador also commended relations in the areas of culture and education and between the two countries’ academic communities.

 

By caring for Jews in B&H, Israel also ‘worked’ for Croats

Commenting on Israel’s having unexpectedly joined in a debate on the electoral reform in B&H in August, Koren said that Noah Gal Gendler, the Israeli Ambassador to Albania, who also covers B&H, had on his mind primarily the Jewish minority in B&H. Our ambassador’s idea was to make sure the case of the Jewish minority is taken into account in any change of the election law, he said. Incidentally, that was also good for the Croats in Bosnia, said Koren, who has additional knowledge of the region because from 2019 to 2022 he was the head of the Eurasia and Western Balkans Division at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

Russia will not dodge sanctions via Israel

Koren was Israel’s ambassador to Russia from 2017 to 2019. He stresses that Israel is against Russia’s recent annexation of four Ukrainian regions and that Israel has been critical of Moscow over the war in Ukraine since the beginning. Russia recently annexed the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia by the decision of President Vladimir Putin. Israel respects the sanctions regime imposed on Russia. Israel is not allowing a single euro or dollar under sanctions to pass its territory or financial system, Koren said, stressing that at the same time his country is trying to help Ukraine as much as possible and that it has also accepted a large number of people who have fled Russia and Ukraine.

 

Djukanovic in Pljevlja: Those who caused deliberate damage to Montenegro must be held accountable (CdM)

 

“Pests, quislings and arsonists have caused enormous damage to the state and citizens, so the choice has never been easier than it will be on 23 October, when Montenegro will return to the civil and European path of progress”. This is the message from the convention of the For Pljevlja to Win coalition, held on Saturday evening in a packed hall of the Home of the Armed Forces of Montenegro in Pljevlja. The President of Montenegro and the leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) Milo Djukanovic said that those who caused deliberate damage to Montenegro had to be held accountable. “They announced that they are great martyrs who are coming to fix the situation with the ‘destroyed economy’ in the ‘destroyed country’, which Montenegro is. As we saw later, they undeservedly boasted about the implementation of large projects, starting with the highway, to which, by the way, they did not contribute anything. So much for the ‘destroyed country’ resulting from the previous government. And we could say a few words about what they did to make Montenegro actually a destroyed country by offering its power supply company (EPCG) and the Port to buyers from Serbia, inviting buyers from Serbia to buy the KAP aluminum Plant regardless of the fact that the aluminum plant is private property. Not to mention the sale of coal from Pljevlja. Because it is less of a political issue. There is no doubt that this is a question of criminal liability. And that’s why all those who participated in the looting of those natural resources of Montenegro will have to be held accountable”, said Djukanovic.

He then referred to the 30-year period of rule during which intensive work was done on preserving peace, establishing the economic viability of the state, starting from restoring independence through increasing the living standards of citizens, all the way to consolidating security, stable health and education systems. On the contrary, and based on this two-year experience, he said that we were witnessing how the extremely irresponsible government, embodied by two governments – the government of Zdravko Krivokapic and the government of Dritan Abazovic, brutally attacked all the achievements and accomplishments of the modern development of Montenegro. President Djukanovic concluded the convention with the assessment that everything showed that it was time for parliamentary elections and that he was convinced that they would take place within three months.

 

Djukanovic: I’m convinced that in 3 months at the latest we’ll have snap elections, MNE needs political turnaround (CdM)

 

“Montenegro needs a political turnaround, which will stop the decline of Montenegro”, the DPS leader Milo Djukanovic has stated at the main convention of the Plav coalition for local elections “Together Triumphantly for Plav” SD-DPS-SDP. As he has emphasized, Montenegro is experiencing the most difficult crisis in the recent history of Montenegro, which began in 2015, which was induced by those centers that do not like European and civil Montenegro, and which began its culmination after the parliamentary elections in 2020. “I am convinced that in three months at the latest, we will have snap elections in Montenegro. Also, I am sure that these parliamentary elections are happening today, we have the victory in our pocket. Of course, it remains to improve this certain victory in the meantime and create the conditions for a more efficient management of Montenegro, which would not struggle with a thin majority. And before that, it is important to do a good job in the local elections.” As he has stated, “the current crisis is both political and security, institutional, financial and economic. It is a vile aggression that wanted to take Montenegro out of the European and Euro-Atlantic political constellation and return it, through the lobby of the so-called Open Balkans economic program, to Great Serbia, under the security umbrella of Great Russia. In the first period, the security crisis was reflected in the efforts of the new government to compromise Montenegro as a NATO member country through the uncontrolled outflow of security data, and during the last period, we saw the new government’s desperate attempts to completely dismantle the security system, including ANB as the most important institution of the security system, to preserve agency Serbian-Russian network in Montenegro and protect the representatives of the new government from their criminal wrongdoings”. As he has added, the new government was compromised by scandals related to criminal activities, which it was supposed to suppress. Speaking about the institutional crisis in Montenegro, Djukanovic has said that there is evidently an evil intention to make Montenegro a dysfunctional state. At the end, Djukanovic reflected on the state of growing nationalist and other social tensions: “The nationalists have raised their heads again. They believe that what is happening on the global stage through the escalation between East and West, and especially in the light of Russian aggression against Ukraine, opens a new chance for them. They did not conclude that nationalist policies definitely failed in the 90s, but that they did not succeed then because the environment was unfavorable, and that now a new chance is being created for them. It is up to all of us to defend not only DPS, SDP, SD, but also the state-responsible national parties, because it is actually the most powerful barrier of citizen-oriented Montenegro against encroaching nationalism.”

 

Djukanovic in Savnik: Current Montenegrin government wishes to seize the renewed independence, sovereignty and stability (CdM)

 

A final convention of the electoral roll comprising the DPS-SD bloc was held last night in the town of Savnik. The leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists Milo Djukanovic addressed the attendees, thanking them for a warm welcome. Djukanovic was speaking about the beauties, richness and perspective of that region. “Today we have dozens of companies in Savnik doing business mostly in the area of hospitality, but having a clear ambition to expand their business in tourism and contribute to indisputable tourism valorization of the potential of this region.” We already have, he added, the valorization of significant energy resources in Savnik, primarily in the production of renewable energy, and it’s certainly going to continue. “So, we are witnessing the intensive development of Savnik, and I want to tell you from the experience of a long-term prime minister that a big part of the credit goes to the people who ran Savnik for a long period of time”, Djukanovic pointed out. In his address, the leader of the DPS thanked the attendees for their commitment to providing support to the independent, civic and European Montenegro. In the end, he particularly underlined the importance of the forthcoming local elections in 14 municipalities, including Savnik as well.

 

Bilcik: Way out of political crisis should be sought in parliamentary elections (Pobjeda)

 

“The current political situation in Montenegro is unsustainable, because the country has been going through a crisis for months, so a solution should first be sought in new parliamentary elections,” says Vladimir Bilcik, a member of the European Parliament and that body’s rapporteur for Serbia, in an interview for Pobjeda. Summarizing his impressions of the EC Report on the progress of Montenegro, Bilcik adds that the Report could have been much better. Problems in the country are growing, says Bilcik, and the message from the Report is very clear.

“The Report is written in diplomatic language, but I think the message is very clear – Montenegro is facing a difficult institutional and political crisis and the only way to progress towards the EU is to resolve this crisis as soon as possible”, Bilcik points out. In order to move forward, Montenegro must adopt temporary benchmarks in the area of the rule of law. The authorities in Montenegro assured the public that this could happen by the end of the year. Asked if it is realistic for the government to do that, Bilcik asks – which government? “Honestly, PM Abazovic is not a political prime minister, and Montenegro needs a political and legitimate government based on clear majority support in the Parliament. The current situation is unsustainable”, he says. “Montenegro needs a Constitutional Court, first and foremost. Local elections are coming up next week, presidential elections next year and you may have parliamentary elections. I will not say when they should be held, but we all see the situation, and we all see that the current Parliament composition does not provide solutions. So, the minimum that needs to be achieved is to focus on institutional solutions”, concludes Bilcik.

 

Picula: Fundamental Agreement with SPC escalated tensions even further, Montenegro needs extraordinary parliamentary elections (CdM)

 

In an interview for the CdM portal, the European Parliament Rapporteur for Montenegro and former Foreign Affairs Minister of Croatia Tonino Picula notes that Montenegro needs the extraordinary parliamentary elections so that it may get a clear direction and stability. Picula, among other things, says that the Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church, negatively affected the political atmosphere in the country, stirring tensions even further.

He’s adamant – if Montenegro loses the European perspective, it will become open for malignant impacts of authoritarian regimes outside the EU, particularly Russia, and corruption and anarchy will most likely take over. Commenting on the latest EC report and whether Montenegro is close to or far from the EU membership, he says: “The fact is that there was a certain slowdown in the implementation of reforms even before the last elections. After the first peaceful transition of power happened, the country entered a constant institutional crisis and we expected the new government would overcome it. However, that didn’t happen, which is why I’ve already assessed that it’s necessary to have new parliamentary elections in order to get a clear direction and stability, instead of preserving this composition of the assembly through repeated rearrangements.”

 

Montenegro backed the eighth package of sanctions against Russia (RTCG)

 

The EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security confirmed that Montenegro has complied with the decisions of the Council of the EU, which make part of the eighth package of European sanctions against Russia. Apart from Montenegro, the EU decision was backed by North Macedonia, Albania, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It’s about the measures adopted as a response to the threat over territorial integrity of Ukraine and deployment of Russian armed forces. On 6 October, the EU imposed new trade sanctions against Russia and expanded the list of people whose assets would be freezed and who won’t be able to travel through the EU. The sanctions also limit the price of Russian oil and ban EU citizens from being members of boards or management of companies belonging to the Russian state.

 

Krivokapic, Konjevic and Kentera banned from entering Russia (CdM)

 

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the Montenegrin ministers of foreign affairs and defence, Ranko Krivokapic and Ranko Konjevic, as well as the former head of the National Security Agency (ANB) Savo Kentera, are now banned from entering Russia. The statement suggests this is a response to the hostile move of Podgorica which recently expelled several Russia’s diplomats.

 

Kovacevski claims that he still has stable majority in parliament (Republika)

 

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski insisted that his majority in parliament is stable, even as his key coalition partner DUI is torn with bitter factional strife. DUI officials meet again today to try to iron out the differences between powerful Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi and an angry faction of officials from Skopje. At the moment the government operates with a stable majority and we all can see that. We have two concepts – one of a European Macedonia, that will assume all obligations of EU accession while maintaining its Macedonian language and the identity of the Macedonian people and its cultural characteristics. And the other concept is against our accession to the European Union. We saw it for 11 years in this country and we were a captive state with no rule of law and no democracy, Kovacevski insisted.

 

Pendarovski: National consensus necessary for constitutional amendments, no haste and

no opening of new wounds in fabric of Macedonian nation (MIA)

 

The negotiations are an opportunity to reduce Euroscepticism through the grand return of the European Union here and in the region. This can only be achieved through greater visibility of the Union with its mechanisms, initiatives, reviews and structural funds. Citizens should feel the Union, not as a distant, impersonal bureaucratic body, but as their ally in efforts for a better life, here in North Macedonia, said President Stevo Pendarovski at the event “On the European Road: New Reforms, New Opportunities!” held in Skopje on Friday. President Pendarovski said the latest European Commission Progress Report comes at a time of growing Euroscepticism among Macedonian citizens due to the slow European integration. “During the past 17 long years of candidacy, we have witnessed many initiated but unfinished reforms and even more so numerous adopted and selectively implemented European laws. On several occasions, Macedonian citizens and their elected political representatives accepted difficult compromises, unprecedented in modern history, all in the name of the European future. More than once the enthusiasm of the people was fueled when it seemed that we were at the very gate of a United Europe. And almost always those expectations were betrayed due to demands and blockages that were not really related to European values. Internally, stalled European integration led to frequent political crises, polarization in society, partisanship of institutions, economic stagnation and the most difficult and painful mass emigration of young people,” said Pendarovski. He adds that only continuity in negotiations can change this situation, whereas the possibility of future provocations by political entities with anachronistic views and unprincipled and non-European demands that interfere with identity issues is not excluded. “But in Europe, it should be clear to everyone that they will not find partners for such a dialogue here. We must not waste time and energy trying to soothe someone’s guilty conscience. All potential should be focused on real and not on rhetorical reforms, because Macedonian citizens have been expecting that from us for a long, long time,” Pendarovski said. In order to continue the negotiations, said the President, a national consensus on the constitutional amendments will be necessary, and we should enter into that endeavor carefully and without haste. This process should take place for as long as it takes so that we do not open new wounds in the fabric of the Macedonian nation.“In the negotiations, it will become clear to us that integration is not only about good neighborly  relations, but it is about a colossal undertaking for the transformation of the state and society that will require patience from all of us, but also sacrifices in many areas of our lives, especially those who are today privileged on various grounds. The ultimate goal is the construction of a functional legal state with an efficient judicial system,” stressed Pendarovski and said membership negotiations will last for years and that all of us will be required to abandon our old habits and deliver results. In that sense, said Pendarovski, we should all make our own contribution, from the Parliament, which has a central place in the implementation of European legislation, through the Government, the President, the local self-government, experts from the civil sector to the media. “This is a serious process that does not tolerate improvisations. Every step we take will be followed, besides Brussels, by the best judge – the Macedonian public. Any abuse of this process for narrow party or personal interests will mean a waste of precious time, which we do not have, but, what is even more important, will mean an additional loss of the already low trust of the citizens in the state institutions. A state in which the citizens do not trust is certainly not a state in which they will want to live,” said Pendarovski. According to him, the membership negotiations will be a stabilizing factor not only for North Macedonia but also a positive signal for the entire region.

 

13 Years diplomatic relations with Kosovo marked with 13 new seedlings (MIA)

 

Nort Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo Florian Qehaja planted 13 trees in Cair Park on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Kosovo. Thanking Ambassador Qehaja for the initiative, Osmani emphasized that the event symbolically reflects the excellent good-neighborly relations and traditional friendship between the two countries.

 

Spasovski: Frontex agreement first official document between EU and N. Macedonia to be

signed in Macedonian language (TV Plus/MIA)

 

We were the first to initial the wording of the Frontex agreement, aligned with the European Union by all the countries in the region, but it was not signed at the time, precisely because the government and I insisted that the agreement be signed in Macedonian language. And it was in that process that the blockade by Bulgaria took place, said Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski. “Now we have renewed the negotiations for signing the agreement with FRONTEX, and its importance is also seen from the aspect that it is the first official document between the EU and North Macedonia that will not only be translated in Macedonian, but also signed in Macedonian language, without any additional explanations and footnotes, it will simply be in Macedonian language,” Spasovski said in an interview with Kumanovo-based TV Plus on Friday. According to Spasovski, this shows that what was said at the beginning of the negotiations – that the Macedonian language is guaranteed, will simply be confirmed with this agreement.

 

Albania warned on proposed golden passports, fiscal amnesty programs in latest EU report (Tirana Times)

 

Albania's proposed golden passport program and a draft fiscal amnesty have been red flagged by the European Commission in its latest progress report on candidate countries for EU membership. Brussels' concerns have been clear in the past, but the idea of Albania's government granting citizenship to wealthy foreigners who invest in the country has not been taken off the board, as in July the government decided to hire foreign consultants to promote Albania to foreigners who want to buy an opportunity to get a second citizenship -- a concept widely known as a "golden passport" program. "Albania should give up the development of a citizenship scheme for investors as it would present risks, as it concerns security, money laundering, tax evasion, terrorist financing, corruption and infiltration of organized crime and would be incompatible with EU norms," the EU Commission notes, according to reports from media outlets that were able to get early access to the report which will become public this week. Moreover, EU's annual report warns Albania's government regarding its proposed fiscal amnesty, reminding Tirana of being "on the gray list" for money laundering concerns, which means the fiscal amnesty would be an added risk and is against the advice of both the EU and Moneyval, and could jeopardize progress in combating money laundering. The amnesty, proposed by Prime Minister Edi Rama, would legalize funds for individuals who declare up to 2 million euros in cash assets, taxed at 7 to 10 percent, without having to disclose the origin of the money. Those who go through the process would be guaranteed protection from any criminal or administrative penalties related to not having declared the assets and their origin.

 

More high-level corruption wins urged

Albania has made some progress in several areas, but issues like corruption and freedom of expression continue to be problematic according to the report.  It notes "greater political will, further structured efforts, and adequate resources and skills remain necessary" to fight corruption. "Despite some progress, corruption remains an area of ​​serious concern. Increasing the number of final convictions of high-level officials remains an important priority to further address the culture of impunity. The sectors most at risk from corruption require targeted risk assessment and dedicated measures," the EU Commission's report notes. The fight against organized crime is also considered a major issue where Albania saw "some progress in fulfilling last year's recommendations" and "this effort must continue in the future," according It adds: "Efforts must also continue to ensure increased prosecutions and final convictions, particularly at the highest levels."

 

No progress on free press

An area in which Albania is assessed as having "not made progress" is that of freedom of expression.  "The intertwining of business and political interests continued to hinder media independence and the quality of journalism. Disinformation including smear campaigns is frequent, especially in online media, whose self-regulation must be ensured. The atmosphere of verbal attacks, smear campaigns and acts of intimidation against journalists has not improved," the report notes, emphasizing that "any changes to the Media Law must be in accordance with the opinion of the Venice Commission and must be submitted for consultation with media organizations." According to the European Commission "it remains important to ensure that the media has direct and transparent access to government institutions and their activities" and also "the regulatory activity of the Authority for Audio-Visual Media (AMA) must be improved and the independence and resources of public broadcasters must be strengthened".