LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic, Kovacevski: Serbia-North Macedonia relations best in modern history (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski in Belgrade on Friday. The two officials agreed that the relations between their countries were the best in modern history. Vucic said there was firm political will in Serbia and North Macedonia for further strengthening of cooperation, and proposed concrete steps in the fields of trade, tourism, culture and sports, the Presidency of Serbia said in a statement.

Kovacevski said there were no more outstanding issues between Serbia and North Macedonia and that the partnership between the two countries set an example for the region. He also said three documents to be signed during his visit to Belgrade would lend an additional impetus to strengthening the cooperation. Vucic added that Serbia was committed to promoting a positive, future-oriented agenda in regional relations, as evident from its active role in the Open Balkans initiative. Vucic and Kovacevski discussed cooperation as part of the initiative and additional benefits to the citizens of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, the statement said.

 

Brnabic: Economic, political ties with North Macedonia steadily improving (Tanjug/RTV)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Friday economic and political relations between Serbia and North Macedonia were steadily improving, especially as a result of the Open Balkans initiative. At a press conference with North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, Brnabic said a major portion of discussions held earlier in the day had been dedicated to the initiative, as well as to projects. Brnabic said that, as a result of the initiative, economic relations were steadily improving and that she expected this year's volume of bilateral trade to exceed 1.5 billion Euros and possibly reach 2 billion Euros. She also said Serbian exports to North Macedonia were up by 16 percent and that imports from the country had increased, too. "That is being balanced out somehow, which is excellent both for you and for us," she told Kovacevski. "Serbia is North Macedonia's fourth-largest trade partner behind Germany, the UK and Greece," Brnabic said. She added that the meeting with Kovacevski had also addressed advancement of overall bilateral trade and agricultural trade.

 

Serbia, North Macedonia sign three MoUs on cooperation (Tanjug/RTS)

 

The governments of Serbia and North Macedonia signed on Friday in Belgrade three MoUs that will advance bilateral cooperation. The documents were signed at a ceremony also attended by Serbian and North Macedonian Prime Ministers Ana Brnabic and Dimitar Kovacevski. Serbian and North Macedonian Interior Ministers Bratislav Gasic and Oliver Spasovski signed a MoU on measures aimed at promoting movement of people and goods across the Serbia-North Macedonia state border. Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic and North Macedonian Minister of Economy Kreshnik Bekteshi signed a MoU on cooperation in the mining and energy sector. Serbian Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Goran Vesic and North Macedonian Minister of Transport and Communications Blagoje Bucvarski signed a MoU on a project to establish an interoperable electronic tolling system.

 

Serbia committed to promotion of rights to freedom of opinion, expression (Tanjug/Politika)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic underlined yesterday that Serbia is fully committed to the application of all international and regional standards that regulate the promotion of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. During a meeting with UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan, Dacic stated that the Serbian government is making considerable efforts in this area, which is of particular importance in the context of progress in the area of European integration. According to him, great attention is paid to the safety of media workers, which is illustrated by the existence of special bodies at the government level that deal with these questions. He said that Serbia will continue to actively work on strengthening the national system of protection, monitoring and reporting when it comes to threatened rights, protection and safety of journalists, as well as participating and supporting initiatives, coalitions and partnerships in international bodies responsible for this problem. The UN Special Rapporteur expressed her gratitude to Serbia for its openness to cooperation, as well as to all competent authorities who responded to meetings during her visit to collect data on the regulatory framework and the application of regulations that guarantee freedom and pluralism of the media, freedom of the Internet and the right to freedom of expression of all social groups, especially minorities.

 

Serbian parliament speaker meets with UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur (Politika)

 

Serbian parliament speaker Vladimir Orlic met yesterday with Irene Khan, UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur for the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Orlic said that Serbia has absolute freedom of opinion and expression and that our country has in previous years made progress both through regulations and in practice. This has been confirmed, he pointed out, by relevant international indicators. “According to last year’s Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders, Serbia has advanced by 14 positions compared to the year before and is now ranked better than even some EU member states,” said Orlic. He also pointed out the significantly lower number of physical attacks on journalists compared to the period of more than ten years ago, drawing attention to the intensive work to further improve the rights of journalists and protect their safety done by the bodies formed by the government of Serbia, numerous established mechanisms and new platforms. He reminded the guest that, on the eve of last year’s elections, the Serbian parlimanet had adopted amendments to the Law on Electronic Media and the Law on Public Media Services, which, along with numerous other solutions, was the result of the interparty dialogue that ensured election conditions compliant with the highest democratic standards since introduction of the multi-party system in Serbia. Speaking about keeping national minorities informed in their own language, he said that this issue is also regulated better in our country than in some European countries, confirming the wide availability of the Internet to citizens of Serbia. “Urban areas are fully covered by high-speed internet, which the government of Serbia will provide to the most remote rural areas by 2025, implementing the broadband national network programme,” said Orlic. Orlic took the opportunity to inform the UN Special Rapporteur about the case of Ivan Todosijevic, Serb sentenced to prison by Pristina for a verbal offense. “Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, there has been no instance on European soil that someone has been sentenced only because of something they said. Such a thing is completely unconceivable anywhere in Europe today, yet this is exactly what is happening to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. The man was sentenced to one year in prison, he was summoned to serve the sentence, without even being served with the verdict. This is not only illegal, but also a brutal trampling of human rights and open persecution. At the same time, Kurti’s member of the so-called ‘security forces’ shot at Serbian children on Christmas Day and that villain was released under house arrest, charged only with ‘endangerment’. These facts clearly point to a serious violation of the right to freedom of thought, expression and all other rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and deserve to be in the UN Human Rights Council’s report,” said Orlic. Khan praised the regulatory framework that guarantees media freedom and pluralism in Serbia, emphasising the importance of the parliament’s role in terms of the legal solutions whose adoption is yet to come. Orlic expressed the expectation that the cooperation between the Serbian parliament and the UN Human Rights Council would continue in the future.

 

Regional cooperation one of Serbia’s foreign policy priorities (Tanjug/Politika)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic pointed out yesterday that regional cooperation is one of our foreign policy priorities and that Serbia will continue to be an honest and constructive partner of the Regional Cooperation Council. During a meeting with Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu, Dacic expressed his support for the work of the Council and the Secretary General. We highly value the cooperation that the Regional Cooperation Council has with the EU and we believe that cooperation in the context of European integration should remain a key factor in political action and the goal of that body, he said. Bregu expressed her gratitude for the support provided by the government of Serbia to the work of the Regional Cooperation Council and highlighted the importance of the agreements that, with the assistance of that council, were signed at the Berlin Process Summit on 3 November 2022.

 

Dacic: Government did not discuss sanctions against Russia (Kurir/Nova)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has said that at the recent government session “no discussion was led nor were opinions presented” about Economy Minister Rade Basta’s proposal to impose sanctions against Russia, while Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said he hoped “any policy of government members beyond the official one will be sanctioned”. Dacic, who is also the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, told the Friday issue of Kurir that the government had not discussed that proposal, but rather that “the Prime Minister warned the ministers not to voice their own private opinions, which are not in line with state policy”. He added that he had expressed the stance of the Socialist Party of Serbia and its coalition partner United Serbia, which is that they respect the position of the National Security Council, that they condemn the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but are not in favor of imposing sanctions against Russia, as well as that cabinet ministers should not come out with opposite views. “Enough with the exhibitionists and solo players. They will have elections, so let them run with that policy, rather than say one thing in the campaign and then later tell a completely different story as government members,” Vucevic told Kurir regarding the controversial statement by Basta, who became a Minister as a member of United Serbia, from the Socialist Party of Serbia - United Serbia ticket. Basta told the Thursday issue of Nova that he did not rule out the possibility of forming a new political organization called The European Path of Serbia and running in elections. When asked how the other ministers at the government session reacted to his proposal to impose sanctions against Russia and to his call to take a stance on the matter, he replied that they “reacted negatively and presented different views”.

 

Stano says license plate agreement has no deadline (N1)

 

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano denied on Friday that the license plates agreement reached by Belgrade and Pristina expires at midnight. The Belgrade-Pristina agreement of 23 November has no final deadline or expiration date, Stano told N1. That agreement was reached to end the dispute over license plates issued by the Serbian authorities which the Kosovo Serbs continue to use. Stano recalled that EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak invited the two sides’ chief negotiators to Brussels to discuss the implementation of the agreement reached in Brussels on 27 February and implementation annex agreed in Ohrid on 18 March. He said that the EU expects both sides to continue contributing to the atmosphere of normalization and reconciliation and the speedy implementation of accepted obligations. Stano recalled that both sides agreed to refrain from activities which would run counter to the agreement.

 

Pisonero: Serbia’s EU accession depends on judiciary, relations with Pristina (Beta/EWB)

 

Serbia’s further pace in accession negotiations will depend on the progress made in the rule of law and on the normalization of relations with Pristina, European Commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero told the European Western Balkans (EWB) portal. The European Commission says that the European Union (EU) – mediated negotiations on normalization are an integral part of the negotiations, and that peace, reconciliation and economic development are prerequisites for the Western Balkans’ speedy progress towards the EU, reported EWB. As the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in Ohrid, the agreement on the normalization of relations in primarily in the interest of the people living in Serbia and Kosovo, it is important for regional stability and so Kosovo and Serbia could advance on their European paths, said Pisonero. Asked if there is a way to speed up the accession negotiations having in mind the objections and delays in the areas that are not related to Kosovo, Pisonero noted that the enlargement process is based on “fair and rigorous conditionality and the principle of own merits.” This means that the candidate countries are expected to implement reforms in various clusters and chapters, starting with the ‘basics,’ which includes the rule of law, explained Pisonero. These are the first chapters to be opened in the accession process and the last to be closed, in accordance with the improved methodology, she added. Pisonero said Serbia took an important step towards strengthening the independence and responsibility of the judiciary by adopting constitutional amendments last year, along with judicial laws. Serbia now needs to continue efficiently implementing the law, so that the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council are established as soon as possible by appointing prominent jurists, said the EC spokesperson. We also expect Serbia to deliver results in other key priorities in the area of the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and media freedom. In this regard, the action plan of the media strategy must be implemented without further delay, stressed Pisonero.

 

Poll: Number of citizens for and against membership in EU almost equal (Beta)

 

In a possible referendum on entering the EU, 44 percent of Serbian citizens would vote for membership while 42 percent would vote against joining the EU, according to a public opinion poll conducted by the Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA), the results of which were presented on 30 March. The poll was conducted at the end of February and the start of March and shows that 43 percent of those polled believe that Serbia will never become a member of the EU. Asked what the ideal solution for Kosovo would be, 38 percent did not know what to say while the same percentage of citizens said that they did not know what a realistic outcome of the current negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina was. The poll saw 30 percent of citizens openly stating that they did not know what the European Agreement on the path to normalization between Belgrade and Pristina meant, while seven percent said that it was a step toward a final agreement. After being acquainted with the content of the proposal, the majority of citizens said that the plan was unacceptable, while the so-called Franco-German proposal was accepted by 26 percent of respondents, and 20 percent accepted Kosovo's independence in exchange for securing a better position for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Blinken compares Dodik to Putin, Dodik flattered by comparison (ATV)

 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on Wednesday on the behaviour of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik and latest moves of RS authorities in a Twitter post, comparing Dodik to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “Milorad Dodik’s attacks on basic rights and freedoms in the RS show he is on President Putin’s authoritarian path. US State Department, represented by Ambassador Michael Murphy, continues to advocate democratic and prosperous future that all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) deserve”, Blinken stated.  RS President Milorad Dodik responded to Blinken’s comments on Thursday, saying: “I am glad that this Blinken has heard of me, and that I am on his agenda and that he has time to make comments about me. I am especially glad that I am so great to be compared to Putin, who is undoubtedly the leader of one of the greatest countries in the world.” According to ATV, Dodik also stated that this is all due to the false information that the US Ambassador sends back to his country, stressing the RS property as one of the points that was at the base of the misinformation. Dodik also touched upon the report of US donations to the RS from 1995, which amount to approx. 638 million USD, saying that it would be better if they had not sent any of it and kept out of RS business, also adding “should we include the depleted uranium donations airdropped on us, and do they consider that as a biological donation towards the Serb people.” RTRS stressed that this time accusations came from Blinken who, as RTRS said, was bothered by the laws that the RS plans to pass. According to Dodik, behind the whole story, there is an attempt to confiscate the RS’s property. Dodik pointed out that whatever Blinken thinks, the RS will not give up on its property. “Of course, that will not happen. Not even the power of America can force us to give up on our property,” Dodik emphasized. Dodik also said that he will not allow resources to be taken away from the RS and that the RS institutions are moved to Sarajevo, calling Sarajevo a Muslim center and that he only goes to Sarajevo because he has to. Dodik said: “I won the elections in a democratic process while the US elections have some issues and some processes before courts are still underway until nowadays, which is not the case with the RS.”

 

RS officials responds to Blinken’s statements about Dodik (ATV)

 

Chair and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic reacted to comments made by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, by saying that this is not the first time that high-ranking officials of the USA are dealing with false information about the developments in B&H and stating incorrect information and qualifications about Milorad Dodik and other RS officials. “The unbalanced approach of US officials to B&H, as demonstrated also by Blinken, is a part of the problem, not the solution for this country” stated Cvijanovic. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic responded to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkens’ comments about the behaviour of RS President Milorad Dodik, stating “I am convinced that the people of RS clearly recognize that the intents of their political leadership align with their own interests and the interests of the Republic, and not the interests of any world centres of power. Alluding that proposing a legitimate law represents an attack on the basic freedoms of citizens, while being aware that such laws exist in the USA itself, is nothing more than an indirect attack on the citizens of RS themselves, who in October of last year gave majority support to the policy represented by Milorad Dodik.” SNSD representative in House of Representatives of B&H (HoR B&H) Sanja Vulic reacted to comments made by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken saying that “Blinken should, considering his position, be more responsible in doing his job and not turn into a flow water heater of disinformation, marketed towards him by Bosniaks installed in the offices of the US Embassy in Sarajevo. If real messages from RS institutions reach Blinken’s politically enraged brain, he would never write such things about a leader that was elected numerous times through free and democratic elections.” Speaker of the RS parliament Nenad Stevandic reacted to comments made by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken saying that such statements by the US diplomat, and in the light of the Law on Non-Profit Organizations and amendments to the RS Criminal Code, which are in parliamentary procedure, are not fair, “especially since they also have similar, even much stricter laws.” Stevandic said that the RS will continue to insist on neutral stance on Ukrainian conflict because its goal is to protect its own interests. “If one has their own interest and character, then it is logical that this will not fit with policy of bigger and more powerful countries. This is why criticism was presented against RS President Milorad Dodik”, Stevandic told journalists while commenting on claims of US Secretary of State Blinken that “attacks by RS President Milorad Dodik on basic rights and freedoms in the RS show that he is following the authoritarian path of Russian President Vladimir Putin”. Stevandic added that the RS is trying to stay neutral, and this is being treated as a pro-Russian policy. Stevandic also reminded that the RS did not suspend cooperation with USA and UK, but it does not want individual ambassadors to act as if they are colonial governors and interfere in internal matters. As for the Draft Changes and Addenda to the Criminal Code of the RS, Stevandic said that order must be introduced to public and media space and he announced that an expert conference on this law will be organized.

 

Russian Embassy to B&H comments on Blinken’s statement, says Putin’s path is path to independence and sovereignty (ATV)

 

The Embassy of Russia to B&H reacted to the statement of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In its Facebook post, the Embassy of Russia to B&H argued that the path of President Putin is a path toward true independence and sovereignty and reminded that Blinken described this path as ‘authoritarian’ path. The Embassy of Russia to B&H also noted that Putin’s path is the “path of becoming aware of one’s national and existential interests and the path to understanding how those interests should be defended”. The Embassy of Russia to B&H concluded by saying that the vast majority of Russia’s population supports Putin, while the path of Biden is supported by a record low number of Americans. “If you go down Biden’s road, you will end up with degenerative insanity, where you can no longer distinguish between truth and hypocritical lies. Between democracy and freedom on one hand, and slavery and humiliation on the other. Then you start talking to ghosts and emptiness.”

 

Kristo attends Summit for Democracy hosted by President Biden (Vecernji list)

 

B&H Council of Ministers (B&H CoM) Chair Borjana Kristo attended the Summit for Democracy which was hosted by US President Joseph Biden. The Summit was held in online format, and Kristo delivered a video remark in which she noted that the global democratic societies across the globe are facing many challenges today. She underlined that the world is facing a period of slow economic growth and high inflation initiated by the COVID-19 pandemic and further accelerated by the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. Kristo warned of the fact that many autocracies and dictatorships are seeking to spread their influence. In this context, she highlighted the problem of fake news and misinformation spread through social media, as well as abuse of personal data by some regimes. Kristo stated that the Western Balkan region is especially sensitive to these issues, and underlined that ethnicity, gender or language must not be the reason for exclusion from democratic processes. Kristo announced that B&H will harmonize its legislation with the highest European standards of human rights and democracy. She also announced a new judicial reform in B&H. Kristo stated that economic reforms are also very important for B&H’s integration processes, and she emphasized the importance of digitalization, development of infrastructure and environment protection.

 

Bradara makes decision on new FB&H government appointment after concessions made within ‘The Troika’ (BHT1)

 

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) President Lidija Bradara made on Thursday a decision on the new FB&H government appointment that will be referred to the FB&H Vice Presidents Igor Stojanovic and Refik Lendo for confirmation. During the day, it was uncertain whether this decision would be made. FB&H Prime Minister will be Nermin Niksic. Minister of Finance will be Toni Kraljevic, Minister of Entrepreneurship and Crafts Development Vojin Mijatovic, Minister of Internal Affairs Almin Hopovac, Minister of Justice Vedran Skobic, Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry Adis Bubalo, Minister of Culture and Sports Sanja Vlaisavljevic, Minister of Transport and Communication Andrijana Katic, Minister of displaced persons and refugees Nerin Dizdar, Minister of Veteran Affairs Hasan Handzic, Minister of Health Milenko Bevanda, Minister of Education and Science Vedran Lakic, Minister of Trade Anel Kljako, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Adnan Delic, Minister of Environment and Tourism Nasiha Pozder, Minister of Spatial Planning Zeljko Nedic, and Minister of Economy, Water Management and Forestry Zuhad Porcic. Some of these names have been disputed in recent days by some of the coalition partners. It took 30 days for the representatives in the FB&H to write 16 names for the new ministers, and only half an hour after the names were announced, there was no unified position, said the BHT1 journalist. We are still far from knowing how the blockade in FB&H will be resolved, said the BHT1 journalist. Bradara said that FB&H Vice-President Refik Lendo should put his signature on such solutions tomorrow, and BHT1 points out that it is known that Lendo does not want to give that signature. The decision will be forwarded to the FB&H Vice Presidents on Friday.

 

Lendo holds meeting with Sattler to discuss formation of FB&H government; Lendo hopes agreement will be reached soon (FTV)

 

The FB&H Vice President Refik Lendo held a meeting with the Head of the EU (EUD) Delegation in B&H Johann Sattler. Among other things, they discussed the formation of a new convocation of the FB&H Government. Lendo emphasized the need to end that process as soon as possible in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the FB&H Constitution and in accordance with the majority will of the voters. Lendo added that he hopes that the parties that are in the leadership of the FB&H and that are, as Lendo said, indispensable in that process, will reach an agreement as soon as possible. Sattler underlined dedication of the EU to B&H to accelerated integration to EU, and in this context he underlined awarding of EU status to B&H, as a clear signal to domestic authorities and citizens. Sattler also met with FB&H President Lidija Bradara. During the meeting the officials discussed authority formation process in the FB&H, i.e. current challenges with authority formation process.

 

OHR answers inquiry on speculation on amending FB&H Constitution: Whatever appeared in the media was pure speculation aimed to provoke (Oslobodjenje)

 

Oslobodjenje reads that at beginning of the week a speculation appeared in the media, citing “well informed sources”, presenting the proposal of new amendments to FB&H Constitution and B&H Election Law, which according to media and politicians’ comments, the High Representative Christian Schmidt could impose in the following days. According to the speculation this Schmidt’s decision would be imposed with a goal to bypass FB&H Vice President from SDA, Refik Lendo in the process of authority formation. Article reads that “party’s machineries” hired their NGOs and announced protests in front of the OHR. Daily sent inquiry to the OHR, asking “what this is about”. “The constitutional deadline for the appointment of the FB&H Government has not yet expired. Whatever appeared in the media was pure speculation aimed to provoke”, the OHR briefly told daily.

 

ReStart, Krug 99 call for protests in front of OHR on Friday (Hayat)

 

The NGO ‘ReStart’ and the association of independent intellectuals ‘Krug 99’ called on citizens for protests in front of the building of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Sarajevo on Friday at 14,00 hrs. The organizers called for stopping “further destruction of the state, i.e. cementing of ethno-feudal concept of organization of the B&H society in three ethnic tors.” Coordination of veterans' associations in the FB&H announced that they will join the protests. Organizers called on citizens for protests due to “their own country, citizens and new generations”, while the reporter noted that citizens should protest because intentions of High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt were revealed as well as interests that he advocates. According to organizers, protests are necessary because “abuse of the legal system of a European state through brutal intervention of the international community” is on the scene. Addressing a press conference, President of the ‘Krug 99’ Adil Kulenovic said that he is convinced that the HR Schmidt will – as all previous HRs – move towards directing B&H from the Dayton towards the Brussels, i.e. so that B&H becomes a democratic and a civic state. Kulenovic added that they realized after certain moves of the HR in this direction, it turned out that he made a step backwards compared with the already-reached level of democratization. The reporter noted that there are no coincidences, adding that everything was calculated and tendentious which is why the organizers demand that malicious politicians and diplomats stop interfering in the political and social life of the country by imposing standards that they would not accept in their own countries. Addressing the press conference, appellant before the European Court of Human Rights Azra Zornic sent a message to western diplomats not to test “our patience via incompetent diplomat who is leading the country with his mistake into disappearance.” She underlined: “Send us someone capable and an objective diplomat to perform the function of the HR instead of the current HDZ (B&H)’s winner of the Ante Starcevic award.” Zornic also sent a message to ‘The Eight’ by calling them not to test their patience by fight for their seats because this jeopardizes existence of the state. One of the organizers from ‘ReStart’ Suad Djozic stated that if Schmidt imposes new solutions, then citizens and civic parties will have to adjust to presentation of a single ethnic group or a single tribe. Djozic argued that the aim is to enable HDZ B&H to “run processes in the state forever regardless of the number of votes because whoever gets the support of two-third of delegates in Mostar, becomes the ruler of the FB&H.” Djozic assessed that Schmidt’s new decisions will make the Cantons superior over the entity and thus, the minority will get the power over the majority.

 

B&H HoP adopts Law on Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2023 (RTRS)

 

The B&H House of Peoples (HoP) adopted on Thursday the Law on the Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2023. B&H Minister of Finance Zoran Tegeltija (SNSD) stated that the adoption of the budget of B&H institutions before the end of the first quarter of the current year has prevented the problem of paying salaries to employees in B&H institutions, which will enable the smooth functioning of B&H institutions and institutions financed from the budget. Tegeltija reminded that the structure of the budget is dominated by the personal income of employees, because key positions in every budget, such as social policy, education and police structures, are mainly under the jurisdiction of the entities and cantons. Tegeltija emphasized that the requests were two to three times greater than the available funds in the budget. “We had a request from the Ministry of Defense that is larger than the budget of all B&H institutions. But I repeat once again, I believe that the framework that exists for all institutions will be sufficient for their functioning in 2023,” Tegeltija underlined. Most of the delegates in the Serb Caucus of the B&H HoP welcomed the adoption of the budget. Serb delegates said that one of the reasons why they decided to support the budget is the fact that of the increase of BAM 230 million, BAM 190 million goes to higher salaries of employees of B&H institutions. Delegate in the Serb Caucus in the B&H HoP Radovan Kovacevic (SNSD) said that this budget proposal does not provide funds for the procurement of equipment and weapons for the Armed Forces of B&H. “For me and for us, that was one of the key reasons why we voted for it,” Kovacevic emphasized. At the same time, there was no necessary majority in the B&H HoP for an urgent procedure to amend the Law on Salaries and Allowances in B&H Institutions. The key reason why the majority in the Serb Caucus was against the urgent procedure is political blackmail with a non-functional solution that would create a lot of problems. Deputy Head of the Serb Caucus in the B&H HoP Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac (SNSD) said that even in the political sense it was a kind of blackmail created on the basis of disagreements between political parties in the Federation of B&H. “We are not a partner that responds to blackmail. We are for agreement and finding quality solutions,” Novakovic-Bursac underlined.

 

Milanovic meets Karamatic, agree that legitimate representatives of Croats have to be in all institutions (Dnevni list)

 

Dnevni list reports that Croatian President Zoran Milanovic met with President of HSS B&H and member of HNS Presidency Mario Karamatic to talk about the position of Croats in B&H. According to a statement issued by the office of the Croatian President, the collocutors agreed that Croats in B&H, who are an equal and constituent people, must be secured permanent legitimate representation in all institutions of B&H, including the Presidency of B&H. The statement also reads that Milanovic and Karamatic also talked about the process of authority formation after the last year’s general elections in B&H. On behalf of HNS, Karamatic thanked President Milanovic for everything he has done for the Croats in B&H with the aim to preserve their status of equal and constituent people in B&H.

 

Defence Minister: Croatian helicopters will soon arrive in Ukraine (Hina)

 

Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banozic said in Odessa on Wednesday he expected 14 Croatian transport helicopters to arrive in Ukraine soon, while his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov said the training of Ukrainian demining instructors in Croatia was being considered. Croatia is donating 12 MI 8 MTV-1 and two MI 8 T transport helicopters to Ukraine. Speaking at a joint press conference with Banozic, who was on a day-long visit to Ukraine, Reznikov thanked him for his personal engagement in helping Ukraine. Your people know the tragedy of Vukovar, they know what remembering those killed is, what the torture of civilians is, you know how to strengthen your defence when you have an enemy neighbour, Reznikov said. Ukraine received the first assistance from Ukraine on 28 February, four days after the start of the invasion, he added. The brotherly nation Croatia has helped the resistance to the Russian aggression as well as in expelling its forces from areas such as Kharkiv, Sumy and Kyiv, said Reznikov. Croatia has excellent experience in demining, so the training of Ukrainian instructors in Croatia is being considered, he added. Because of its Homeland War, the Croatian people knows what Ukraine is going through, standing by it, and this support will continue as long as necessary, said Banozic, confident of Ukraine’s victory. He said Reznikov and President Volodymyr Zelensky have shown that brave leadership is bringing Ukraine success in battle. Banozic gave Reznikov a replica of the Vukovar Water Tower and the case of a non-activated 120 mm shell fired during the 1991-95 war at his home town Vinkovci, while Reznikov gave him a piece of shrapnel and Ukraine’s traditional shirt. Banoziv also gave Reznikov a scarf of the HNK Cibalia football club, while Reznikov gave him a FC Chornomorets Odessa jersey.

 

Croatian and Slovenian Prime Ministers address the fight against illegal migration (HRT)

 

The Croatian and Slovenian Prime pinisters met in Bled Slovenia on Tuesday, where they addressed cooperation in the energy sector and the fight against illegal migration, furthering economic cooperation and the situation in the Western Balkans. And while bilateral relations between the two countries have improved somewhat over the past year, there are still a number of unresolved issues between the two countries, including the demarcation of their shared border. Slovenia disputes the internationally recognized border between the two countries as determined by the Badinter Commission, which is an extension of their respective borders when they were republics within the former Yugoslavia. This resulted in Slovenia blocking Croatia's accession to the EU, and later arbitration. However, Slovenia was caught on tape colluding behind the scenes to ensure the arbitration panel reach for it a favourable decision. At this point, Croatia withdrew from the arbitration and declared it irrevocably tainted. As expected the arbitration's ruling, albeit without the participation of the Croatian side and without any serious redress of Slovenia's transgression of the arbitration's fundamental principles. None-the-less Slovenia has consistently tried to unilaterally enforce the arbitration's ruling, repeatedly sending its patrol boats into Croatian territorial waters and handing out fines to Croatian fishermen. The issue was not discussed on Tuesday, as in site of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's readiness to do so, Prime Minister Robert Golob refused to address the subject. Here's what Plenkovic had to say about Croatia's view of Slovenia's claims to Croatian territory and the problems it has caused for Croatian fishermen: “We have suggested a pragmatic gentlemanly approach to resolving the issue of fishermen, both Croatian and Slovenia, that would relieve them of the various fines they have been confronted with in recent years, albeit for now unenforced. And we feel that this would be a good signal in the right direction for the resolving of this issue, which, at the end of the day, do somewhat burden our bilateral relations.” Croatia's claims are based on Article 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that: 'Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to the contrary, to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line. As pertaining to this article, the border demarcation is as delineated during the former Yugoslavia and subsequently confirmed by the Badinter Commission. For its part, Slovenia's claim is based on the second sentence of Article 15, which states that the provision does not apply where it is necessary by reason of historic title or other special circumstances to delimit the territorial seas of the two States in a way which is quote: "at variance therewith".

 

MCP calls on citizens to vote against Djukanovic (CdM)

 

The Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MPC) has called on citizens to vote against the current president of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic in the presidential election on Sunday. The presidential election in Montenegro, in addition to numerous political issues, shows an open anti-church campaign of the candidate who is also the current president of the country, MCP has stated. “His performances, as well as the speeches of his promoters, still mark the Serbian Orthodox Church as an enemy of the state, church rites as backward and outmoded practice, and it is obvious that they still pretend to regulate the internal affairs of the Church from state positions. All this goes against the state Constitution and the established good customs of civil society”, MCP claims. MCP states that in the last few years, with God’s help, a lot has changed for the better in the relationship between the Church and the state of Montenegro. “However, the extremely uncivilized rhetoric of the politician who is seeking a new, actually third, mandate from the citizens, brings unrest and anxiety among the clergy and believers, that his quarrelsome politics could bring back divisions and a long-term crisis in Montenegrin society. We are convinced that such a policy has already been overcome, which the citizens will confirm in the upcoming elections. That is why we repeat our recent call to the faithful and other people of good will to go to the second round of presidential election, exercise their right and respond to the obligation prescribed by the Constitution and the principles of a democratic society, preserving with their choice the principles of separation and mutual respect of the State and the Church”, MCP concludes.

 

Komsic: Support for Djukanovic - He made relations between B&H and Montenegro extremely friendly (CdM)

 

Support for the President of Montenegro and DPS presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic came from another member of the B&H Presidency. This time, as announced by that party, the message of support was sent by Zeljko Komsic, who at the beginning of his speech emphasized the friendly relations he has had with President Djukanovic for years. "From the aspect of B&H's interests as well, because the fact is that Djukanovic, both as Prime Minister and as President of Montenegro, did everything to make the relations between our two countries extremely friendly, and to progress every day. As well as the fact that during his mandate, either prime minister or president, B&H and Montenegro did not have any open issues. And from that point of view, I can only say that I would like such a policy to continue in the future," said the member of the B&H Presidency.  In the end, Komsic said that it is not appropriate to comment on the elections in neighboring countries from the position he is in, given his position, but according to him, "these are the facts and he really stands behind those facts".

 

Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro, platform for 100% harmonization with EU foreign policy (Radio Tirana)

 

Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo are committed to a 100% alignment with the Common external security policy of the European Union. The media of North Macedonia announced the decision after the declaration of the informal platform by the Foreign Ministers of the countries, Olta Xhacka for Albania, Bujar Osmani for North Macedonia, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, Kreshnik Ahmeti and the advisor for foreign policy of the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Gjorgje Radulovic. The media, referring to the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, informs that the focus of the meeting was the full alignment of the four countries with the EU's foreign and security policy in light of the new geopolitical reality, hybrid threats, the energy and economic crisis and the consequences caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. "After the Russian aggression against Ukraine, harmonization with the CFSP, but also beyond that, with the positions and values of the democratic world, has become one of the most important priorities of the aspiring EU countries, but also as a clear message where these states are ", said the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani. According to him, each of the participating countries has shown that it is a reliable partner of NATO and the EU, aligning itself with the sanctions of the EU and the USA, but also by providing concrete humanitarian aid and technical assistance to Ukraine. Minister Osmani has also informed those present at the meeting about future reforms, indicating that there will be no deviations from the EU path for North Macedonia, a country known for democracy and multi-ethnic cohesion, recently recognized in the trust for offered hospitality for talks between Kosovo and Serbia in Ohrid. The common strategic goal of all countries seeking to achieve full harmonization with the EU is full integration within the Union. In this context, related to the current regional and international development, the process of implementing EU policies, regulations and standards represents a high national interest, informed by the same sources.

 

The Assembly of Albania and Kosova, cooperation for the drafting of the Code of Ethics (Radio Tirana)

 

The speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla received the delegation of the Commission for Legislation, Mandates, Immunity and Regulation of the Assembly of Kosovo, which is in Tirana to discuss with colleagues in the Assembly of Albania the drafting of the Code of Ethics, with technical support as well of the US National Democratic Institute. Speaker Nikolla congratulated the colleagues from Kosovo as well as the representatives of all political forces in the Assembly of Kosovo for the intensive cooperation with the colleagues of the Assembly of Albania. She emphasized that "the cooperation agreement between the two Assemblies is promoting and intensifying parliamentary cooperation and between institutions serving our citizens".  The MPs of the Assembly of Kosovo thanked President Nikolla for the institutional and personal commitment in supporting the cooperation between the Assembly of Albania and the Assembly of Kosovo and appreciated the very fruitful cooperation with the colleagues of the Assembly of Albania.

 

Spiropali meetings with representatives of the US Congress (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations, Elisa Spiropali held a working meeting in the US today with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the American Congress, Nancy Pelosi and Lois Frankel, chair of Democrat Women. Issues of security, justice and empowerment of women in conflict zones were discussed in the meeting, where other representatives of the US Congress were also present. Spiropali emphasized that Albania's role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council is essential for undertaking initiatives to punish aggressors such as Putin's Russia and support Ukraine or other countries suffering the consequences of war.