LOCAL PRESS

 

Establishing free labor market in countries of Open Balkans (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)

 

Representatives of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania signed yesterday in Skopje, as part of the Open Balkans initiative, two protocols that will enable the establishment of a free labor market for member countries of that initiative. The Protocol on the implementation of the agreement on the conditions for free access to the labour market in the Western Balkans and the Protocol on the connection of the electronic identification scheme for the citizens of the Western Balkans were signed. On behalf of the Serbian side, these documents were signed by State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Gojko Stanivukovic and on behalf of Albania and North Macedonia, representatives of their competent ministries. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said, before signing the protocol, that these documents will enable a completely free labour market of the countries of the Open Balkans to enter into force on 1 March.

 

Vucic: I discussed Pristina's announcement with O'Brien (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday Pristina's ban on trade in Serbian goods and an announcement it would stop payment transactions with central Serbia was a "hysterical attack" on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and that he had discussed this with US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia James O'Brien. Speaking to reporters in Skopje, where he is attending a Western Balkans-EU summit, Vucic said he would continue consultations about the issue with O'Brien. "We will always be with our people, we will be trying and seeking - and finding - answers," he said. He said a veto by a CEFTA member had been blocking the adoption of 10 major agreements and initiatives in the organisation since 2021. "Try to guess who that is. Everyone else agrees, and everyone else is willing. What is important is that, as O'Brien said today, those who will be stopping others in the period to come will, in fact, be stopping themselves. So I think that is an important message and I hope this will change," Vucic said. Asked if he would travel to Kosovo and Metohija as he had announced, Vucic responded he was willing to but that that did not mean he would be allowed to. "I am always available and ready to speak with our people in Kosovo and Metohija. To me, there is nothing more important than that," he said.

 

Vucic hopes new Serbian government will be formed by 15 March

Vucic said on Monday he hoped the new Serbian government would be formed by 15 March and that a constitutive session of the new parliament could be expected from 1 February.

"As far as the government is concerned, I really hope it will be formed by 15 March. As for the parliament, you know the deadline is one month after the announcement of the final (electoral) results - I think the 10th, 11th or the 12th is the final day. Starting from 1 February, you can expect a constitutive session of the Serbian parliament," Vucic told a press briefing in Skopje, where he is attending a Western Balkans-EU summit. He said this was important because Serbia needed to react quickly to adopt many legislative decisions and norms related to EXPO 2027 and a 2024-2027 development plan unveiled at the weekend.

 

Serbia successful example for solving issue of national minorities (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke yesterday with Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Jan Braathu and US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill about the measures implemented by the government of Serbia to improve the position of national minorities. Brnabic discussed with the interlocutors ways to further improve the position of minorities in Serbia, adding that the development of society as a whole and the strengthening of mutual trust is achieved exclusively in the spirit of tolerance, through dialogue and through solving the challenges of minorities, to which the government is particularly committed. Serbia is a successful example for solving the issue of national minorities, which is evidenced by the continuous work on improving laws and other acts related to the adequate application of the language and script of national minorities, the Prime Minister added. In this context, Brnabic underlined the representativeness of minorities in political and democratic processes. The interlocutors conveyed to the Prime Minister that they will continue the cooperation that has yielded significant results so far, and emphasised the importance of supporting continuous dialogue at the national and regional level on this issue.

 

Taking over the remains of monastery – open repression towards Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

 

The Eparchy of Raska-Prizren assesses that the latest case of “taking over” the remains of the monastery of the Virgin of Hvostan, one of the most significant sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija and the ancient seat of the Bishopric of Hvostan since 1219, is an open act of repression by the Pristina central authorities. The Eparchy strongly appeals to local and international representatives in Kosovo to stop the process of politicization and selective presentation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija. “The most recent case of using machinery to erect a fence around the site of the Virgin of Hvostan without any communication with the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is known to be one of its most important sites, and placing an inscription only in the Albanian language, which omits eight centuries of history of that important religious seat, is another example that shows the real intentions and methods of the Kosovo authorities, who unabashedly want the creation of an ethnically pure Kosovo and the disappearance of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers,” the Eparchy announced. “Therefore, the Eparchy of Raska-Prizren resolutely appeals to local and international representatives in Kosovo to stop the process of politicization and selective presentation of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has existed and operated in these areas as an autocephalous Church for 800 years and is deeply connected with the history of this region. The revision of other churches and monasteries of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija represents a process that deeply endangers ethnic and religious relations in the wider region and leads to the erasure of a centuries-old identity of the Serbian people and the appropriation of its heritage, which has survived hundreds of years of Ottoman rule and two world wars, reads the announcement.

 

O'Brien: Kosovo, Serbia should get to work on Ohrid deal implementation (Beta)

 

James O'Brien, US assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, said in Skopje yesterday that the US strongly supported the agreement between the leaders of Serbia and Kosovo on implementing the deal on the path to normalization of relations. Speaking at a news conference at the conclusion of the Western Balkans-EU summit in the North Macedonian capital, O'Brien said Kosovo and Serbia should get to work on a dialogue on carrying out the Ohrid deal, made in March 2023. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told a separate news conference that he and O'Brien had discussed "Pristina's attempt to do away with the dinar" in Kosovo starting 1 February, and that in-depth consultations on the matter would continue in the next few days.

 

Hill on Euro as Kosovo’s new currency: Avoid unnecessary surprises (Beta/Politika)

 

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said during a 22 January visit to Sokobanja that a decision by the Central Bank of Kosovo to abolish the use of the Serbian dinar in payment transactions was an unnecessary surprise, and that the US and the EU were carefully monitoring and analyzing the developments. “We believe that the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities is the most important right now, but equally important is to facilitate access to international institutions for Kosovo. The focus should be on that, and themes that are not of mutual interest should be avoided,” Hill was quoted as saying by the Serbian state-owned RTS broadcaster. The US diplomat said that, at this stage of the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, reached owing to mediation by the EU special representative for the dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, “unnecessary surprises and unilateral actions should be avoided”.

 

Electoral commission assigns mandates to new Serbian MPs (Tanjug/RTS)

 

Serbia's national electoral commission adopted on Monday a decision assigning mandates to the members of Serbia's new parliament. The commission's president Vladimir Dimitrijevic noted that it had on 12 January adopted a consolidated report on the results of the 17 December early parliamentary elections. The report was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia on 12 January this year and on the commission's website on the same day, whereby the conditions were created for the commission to assign mandates to MPs who were candidates of electoral lists that made it into the parliament, he said. The Aleksandar Vucic-led Serbia Must Not Stop electoral list will have the absolute majority in the 250-seat parliament - 129 MPs, and is followed by the Serbia Against Violence list (65), the Ivica Dacic - PM of Serbia list (18), the HOPE coalition (13), the Branimir Nestorovic-led We, A Voice From The People list (13), the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (6), the Usame Zukorlic - Tomislav Zigmanov - United For Justice list (2), the Sulejman Ugljanin-led Democratic Action Party of Sandzak list (2), Saip Kamberi's The Political Struggle of Albanians Continues list (1) and the Slobodan Nikolic - Russian Party list (1). The deadline for forming the new parliament is 12 February - 30 days after the announcement of the final electoral results. The City of Belgrade Electoral Commission yesterday adopted the decision on assigning councillor seats in the City of Belgrade Assembly and the report on elections for the Assembly. Earlier, the City Commission passed the final report on the results of the local elections in Belgrade, which states that the Aleksandar Vucic - Serbia Must Not Stop ticket has 49 councillor seats in the capital's Assembly, the Serbia Against Violence ticket 43, the National Democratic Alternative coalition seven, the We - The Voice of the People ticket six, and the ticket headed by the Socialist Party of Serbia five.

 

Veselinovic, Lajcak discuss Serbian election irregularities in Brussels (Beta)

 

On 22 January, Dobrica Veselinovic, a member of the Green-Left Front presidency, who headed the Serbia Against Violence coalition ticket at the 17 December 2023 elections in Serbia, and Marko Vujacic, Green-Left Front international secretary, met in Brussels with Miroslav Lajcak, the EU's special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and discussed the alleged election irregularities in Serbia. During a three-day visit to Brussels, Veselinovic and Vujacic are scheduled to meet with representatives of the European Commission, members of the European Parliament, representatives of media outlets, of the civil society and other EU institutions. "Talks with Lajcak and heads of the European External Action Service about election irregularities and collapse of democracy in Serbia, and about pressure on activists, independent media outlets and political opponents of the Aleksandar Vucic regime," read a press release from the Green-Left Front.

 

Enough signatures for removal of mayors in Zvecan and Zubin Potok collected (RTS/Tanjug)

 

The collection of signatures in favor of the sacking of mayors in Zvecan and Zubin Potok has been completed and these days the petitions will be submitted to the municipal assemblies according to procedure. Previously, the signatures were collected in Kosovska Mitrovica and Leposavic and handed over to the municipal administrations for further processing, Kosovska Mitrovica radio said, Tanjug reports. In Zvecan, the signatures were collected in one day, the representative of the Initiative Group in that municipality, Darko Vuksanovic, told the portal.

The required number of signatures was exceeded in Zubin Potok as well, confirmed Srdjan Vucinic, a member of the Initiative Group there. In these municipalities, the signing of the petition began on Friday, 19 January. In northern Kosovska Mitrovica and Leposavic, where the signing started a few days earlier - on Wednesday, 17 January, this procedure has also been completed.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Covic confirms he sent the proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H to coalition partners at level of B&H, He proposes changes when election of Croat member of B&H Presidency is in question (O Kanal)

 

HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) leader Dragan Covic confirmed after a session of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) in Mostar on Monday that he sent the proposal of amendments to the Election Law of B&H to coalition partners at the level of B&H. He stressed that the proposed amendments refer to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H, the election of B&H Presidency members and technical issues related to the election process. Speaking about the proposal of amendments related to the election of the B&H Presidency members at the press conference in Mostar, Covic stated that it is about one of the proposals HDZ B&H gave to the colleagues from ‘The Troika’ some ten days ago in Mostar, given that the Constitution of B&H cannot be changed in a situation where it is difficult to have the two-third majority in the B&H parliament for that. “The proposal aims to make some changes, by not changing the Constitution of B&H, which will reflect a stance that it is not good that one ethnic group elects a B&H Presidency member of the other in this particular case. We have found one of the solutions regarding a direct election of the B&H Presidency members, in which nothing changes in the RS when it comes to the election of a Serb member of B&H Presidency or in the Federation of B&H (FB&H) regarding the election of a Bosniak member of B&H Presidency, while after the previous context for a Croat member of the B&H Presidency as the current Election Law of B&H stipulates, we have added a conditional category. This means that the one who is the first ranked on the Croats’ list in the FB&H must meet the condition to be the first in at least three out of five cantons. If it is not the case in three cantons, then it should be the case in two cantons at least. If not in two cantons than in one at least, and finally if there is no win in any of the cantons, the one who has the highest number of votes will be elected in the end. In fact, there is one additional condition to prevent possibility that the Croat member of B&H Presidency is elected by 99 percent of votes of non-Croats”, Covic explained.

 

SDP representatives say they will analyse HDZ B&H’s proposal, but for them priority is implementation of ECHR’s judgments (AJB)

 

Leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic Monday sent his coalition partners at the B&H level a proposal for changes to the B&H Election Law. At the same time, representatives of SDP B&H stated that they will analyse HDZ B&H’s proposal, but that for them the priority is the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). SDP B&H Vice President Ivan Boban stated that implementation of judgments of international courts is a number one priority. Boban pointed out that SDP B&H will not accept some further divisions. SDP B&H members pointed out that this is just a proposal, and additional amendments can be included. Boban, SDP said he did not review the proposal in detail, but he believes cantons that would give the new Croat member of the B&H Presidency might not be the best solution, and changes might happen in that part of the document. Boban said that that part of the proposal might not be in line with judgment of the international courts. Boban concluded by saying the proposal is on the table, it will be discussed, just like all other proposals.

 

SDA: Proposal presented by Covic is in favour of SNSD and HDZ B&H that do not want fair and transparent elections (BHT1)

 

HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic sent to his partners in the state-level ruling coalition a proposal of amendments to the B&H Election Law. BHT1 reports that SDA is of view that the proposal is in favour of SNSD and HDZ B&H that do not want fair and transparent elections, and planned thresholds will affect presence of the Bosniaks and the Croats in individual local communities and bring into question more significant presence of the Bosniaks in the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament. RS SDA representative Ramiz Salkic said that given the fact that “the Constitution guarantees four seats for the Bosniaks, this will open a possibility that Bosniaks from SNSD and other political parties take over seats of the Bosniaks coming from political parties that gather predominantly Bosniak constituents”. SDA stated that proposal for changes to the B&H Election Law put forward by HDZ B&H is unacceptable. SDA Vice President Mirsad Zaimovic said that this is actually a proposal where members of the B&H Presidency from the ranks of the Serb, Croat and Bosniak peoples would be elected in completely different ways. “Of course, the issue of the value of the vote comes up,” Zaimovic underlined.

 

Three Bosniak delegates in B&H HoP threaten to block everything that was agreed upon at recent meeting of political leaders in Laktasi if it comes to parliamentary procedure (ATV)

 

Three Bosniak delegates in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) have threatened to block everything that was agreed upon at the recent meeting of political leaders in Laktasi if it comes to the parliamentary procedure. Namely, delegates in the Bosniak Caucus in the B&H HoP, Safet Softic (SDA), Dzemal Smajic (SBiH) and Dzenan Djonlagic (DF), announced that they will block everything concerning the election of the B&H Presidency members, but also the appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H if it comes to the parliamentary procedure. The three delegates have called the agreement from Laktasi “slop”. ATV stressed that many things bother the three Bosniak delegates when it comes to the agreement from Laktasi, including the very relationship of the leaders of ‘The Troika’ parties with SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic, because they believe that the leaders of ‘The Troika’ parties have a subordinate relationship in talks with Dodik and Covic. Softic stressed that leaders of the ‘Troika’ parties cannot support what is written in the document which appeared after the meeting in Laktasi. Djonlagic pointed out that there are two topics in which he will not participate at sessions of the B&H HoP in his capacity as a delegate. “That is the issue of the Constitutional Court and the Presidency of B&H. The issue of the Constitutional Court of B&H in the sense that if one starts to propose an ethnic model of functioning of the Constitutional Court and the introduction of some new entity voting in the Constitutional Court, and the election of the B&H Presidency in a way that would mean ethnic cementing of the state. Therefore, those are two topics about which there is no compromise,” Djonlagic underlined. Meanwhile, delegate in the Serb Caucus in the B&H HoP Radovan Kovacevic (SNSD) said that all those who want B&H to be governed exclusively by foreigners will in the end do everything to make that agreement impossible. “We think that it is a very bad message that those who are used to things being arranged in B&H only in such a way that foreigners impose solutions that suit only Bosniaks, which are only according to the will of Bosniaks and which build B&H only for Bosniaks, that such people will destroy every agreement only to maintain such a situation,” Kovacevic emphasized.

 

Dodik: Germany, with its unilateral policy and interference in everything that exists in B&H, shows that it is not benevolent towards peoples who live in B&H (Glas Srpske)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik said that Germany, with its unilateral policy and interference in everything that exists in B&H, shows that it is not benevolent towards the peoples who live in B&H, “which is a consequence of the failed policy of the current authorities in that country, the results of which can be seen on the streets of the largest German cities.” "The German Ambassador's statement that (B&H Presidency member) Denis Becirovic is one of the most important interlocutors of the Federal Republic of Germany shows how much he has no idea about the very structure of B&H. Maybe Becirovic is important to them, but in the entire system of B&H his capacity is such that he cannot do anything without the other two representatives in the Presidency," Dodik wrote on the X social network.

 

Dodik: RS is going with belief that representatives of ‘The Troika’ will remain dedicated to common goal in connection with which there is consensus of all parties, which is European path (RTRS)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik stated on Monday: “RS stays a constructive partner in all processes on B&H’s path to the EU. This time we also go with belief that representatives of ‘The Troika’ will remain committed to the joint goal, with regard to which a consensus of all sides has been reached and that is the European path.” Dodik added that this is the only path which takes B&H to progress. He also said: “It is clear that accusations coming from SDA make a problem for ‘The Troika’, but the interest of all parties should be reforms, which will make the country more functional and more stable… We are not naïve to think that ‘The Troika’ representatives would not try something like that, but it is clear that they do not have capacity for something like this and in this context, they are more aware that stories about domination of Bosniaks over other two peoples cannot pass any longer and this is visible in their readiness for a talk.” Dodik concluded that SDA has shown its real intentions with announced blockades, and he added: “However, this will not stop us to continue to actively work and do everything so that necessary reforms are implemented. Statements of Bakir Izetbegovic show his despair, since he reached the bottom. To call (Former OSA Director Osman) Mehmedagic a patriot can only do an insane person, or someone who is in big fear of the things which could be revealed in the upcoming periods. This patriot, as Izetbegovic calls him, worked at his order.” Dodik argues that out of joint institutions, they have made SDA institutions, and they were undermining B&H with their dangerous acting, while they had support of foreigners to do this. Dodik also said: “We want to reach agreements and we shall do it, but Bosniaks will never dominate and implement their plan in this area. Neither America, Germany, UK, nor true and fake representatives of a foreign factor can help them in this. Not because I say so, but because the Constitution says so and all documents, which reflect B&H and on which the laws are based.” Dodik reminds that February is approaching, and that the also meeting has given a lot of room for optimism. He added that the RS wants that the FB&H also functions successfully, that they cooperate and respect each other. Dodik concluded: “A lot has been done and this time Europe will show with its decisions if it is serious towards B&H. I am expecting from the EU to set a precise date for negotiations and make a process credible. Everything else would strengthen mistrust.”

 

OHR: B&H authorities must align B&H Election Law with international standards on transparency and integrity of election processes and good practices applied in democratic elections (BHT1)

 

HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic sent to his partners in the state-level ruling coalition a proposal of amendments to the B&H Election Law, saying that the document reflects issues discussed at the meeting held last week at the estate of SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. The Office of the High Representative (OHR) has also reacted to the proposal reminding that the High Representative’s position has not changed and that the authorities in B&H must align the B&H Election Law with international standards on the transparency and integrity of election processes and good practices applied in democratic elections. “The changes must include the clear identification of each voter, the electronic counting of votes as they were cast, the secure transmission of ballots to electoral committees at polling stations that operate transparently and independently. This should already start with the municipal elections in October”, reads the statement by the OHR.

 

Dodik: The OHR has nothing to do with European path of B&H or with European values (Oslobodjenje)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik posted on X platform on Monday: “The OHR has nothing to do with the European path of B&H or with European values. They are complete negation of all European, democratic standards. A fake high representative is trying to sustain a fake story that he represents European values. He represents no one and nothing.” Dodik said that the reaction of Christian Schmidt, whom he does not recognize as the High Representative (HR), to the epilogue of the meeting from several days ago is just Schmidt's attempt to, as he says, maintain a false story.

 

US Embassy: Change of Election Law only through Constitution (Oslobodjenje)

 

After HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic presented a proposal for election of B&H Presidency members, stating that this cannot be done through changes of the Constitution, but he proposed a solution that would prevent one people electing representatives of the other people in B&H Presidency, the US Embassy posted a statement on their X profile: “The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued several rulings directing local political leaders to amend the Dayton Constitution, and the EU has underscored that B&H cannot join the EU without doing so. The most prominent of these rulings address the country’s tripartite presidency. The United States strongly supports efforts by the country’s political leaders to reach the compromises necessary to amend B&H’s Constitution regarding the Presidency in a manner that brings it into compliance with ECHR rulings. However, it is not possible to do this by amending the B&H election law. Constitutional amendments are required. International legal experts, including from the Venice Commission, were unequivocal on this point during the 2021-2022 EU-U.S. facilitated constitutional/electoral reform talks with political parties. This fundamental legal fact has not changed”.

 

Plenkovic meets HDZ B&H delegation and pays visit to Head of IZ B&H, Reis Kavazovic (Klix.ba)

 

Croatian delegation, led by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met on Monday night with delegation of HDZ B&H - Dragan Covic, Borjana Kristo and Lidija Bradara. The meeting took place in Sarajevo. Even though it was expected that meeting will be attended by Prime Minister of The Netherlands Mark Rutte and EC President Ursula Von der Leyen, they did not show up. Plenkovic also paid a visit to Head of Islamic Community to B&H, Reis Husein Kavazovic. The meeting took place in premises of IZ BIH and after welcoming Plenkovic and Croatian delegation, Kavazovic expressed gratitude for the support that Croatian Government is providing to B&H, underlining good relations between two friendly states. The officials discussed current political and social situation and dedication of B&H and Bosniaks to EU and NATO integration was underlined once again. Plenkovic stressed that Croatian Government is partnership and friendly toward B&H and added that Croatia will actively advocate EU path of B&H. participants agreed that relations between two states, as well as between Bosniaks and Croats need to be further improved through establishing of mutual trust and inter-religious dialogue.

 

Western Balkans leaders meet with EU and US officials in Skopje to discuss new EU Growth Plan for Western Balkans, sign joint statement committing to promotion of regional economic integration through common regional market (BHT1)

 

Western Balkans leaders met with European and US diplomats within the ‘The Growth Plan: Western Balkans Meets EU’ conference in Skopje on Monday to discuss the countries’ EU path and importance of regional cooperation. The focus of the meeting was on the new EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, worth EUR six billion, that should be implemented by 2027. On the occasion, the Western Balkans leaders signed a joint statement committing to the promotion of regional economic integration through common regional market. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stressed the importance of connecting the region, noting that functioning of the so-called ‘green lanes’ on border crossings is of the greatest importance for the Western Balkans, conveying that Serbia is open to all ideas. During the meeting, two protocols were signed which will enable completely free labor market as of March 1 in the Open Balkan countries, i.e. Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia. Addressing the present, Vucic said: “I believe that this is a good precondition for the advancement of the region, i.e. that people feel benefits of what we are doing, to strengthen our economy and industry and that is why it is important that we do it in the entire region regardless of all obstacles”. North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski said that the EU Growth Plan is “a powerful symbol’’ of commitment to the EU reforms throughout the Western Balkans and a decisive desire for transformation and alignment of regional economy with the EU standards. “This commitment is not only declarative. It is also reflected in grants and favorable loans. Using the Growth Plan, the Western Balkans countries will implement fundamental reforms and create strong connections through regional markets”, said Kovacevski. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the Western Balkans countries should not wait to join the European Union, but they should interconnect even before that. “The process of integration is very long and there is a huge gap between what the EU members get and what the region gets within the European integration process”, said Rama. B&H CoM Chairwoman Borjana Kristo addressed the participants via video link, saying that B&H expects urgent opening of accession negotiations with the EU and that joint talks and meetings to discuss the EU future are of great importance for all Western Balkans countries, including B&H. “The fact that we have such a high level of agreement, and I dare say consensus regarding the approach, enhancement, and implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is an additional encouragement for all of us to exert additional effort and diligence”, said Kristo. Kristo added that the future of the region primarily depends on their readiness to continue cooperation that will enable to reach compromise for permanent and sustainable solutions. Kristo also stated:” In the times ahead it is certainly beneficial for all of to see this as a historic chance to enhance our domestic economic and as a tool to help our faster accession to the EU, which is of big importance for us B&H while we expect swift opening of the negotiations.” On this occasion, leaders adopted a declaration on the plan of growth of the region, which should be carried out under the auspices of the EU. The declaration reads that the plan needs to be implemented by 2027. The implementation of the plan, worth EUR six billion, has been conditioned by implementation of reforms and mutual cooperation among countries in the region. The plan represents an alternative, due to the fact that the European integration has been slowed down for a longer period of time now. In line with the size and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, B&H could obtain between EUR one billion and EUR 1.2 billion a year. This three-year plan for the region is worth EUR six billion, EUR four billion of which represent grant funds, while the remaining EUR two billion are favorable loans. The assessments on what amount individual countries will obtain from the plan are still unofficial. Cooperation in the region is one of the conditions for the countries to obtain the assistance. The EU would leave a possibility for the Western Balkans to obtain full benefits of the full-fledged membership even before officially joining it, including the access to the EU market. The countries of the region already have the Stabilization and Association Agreements (SAA) with the EU, but a novelty would be the so-called ‘green lanes’, especially for trucks that wait on the borders for too long. Director General of the European Commission Directorate for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman pointed out at the summit that the EU's plan for rapid development of the Western Balkans is a great opportunity for this large Region, especially for attracting foreign investors, adding: “I feel very encouraged by the work you have undertaken.” US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O’Brien, said the EU Growth Plan is unlike any other plan. “It is not exclusively financial help for growth, but it also enables your citizens and business companies, if you implement certain reforms, to enjoy fundamental freedoms of the EU. And those are freedom of movement, going to work wherever you want, as well as unhindered flow of capital and services”, O’Brien said. During the meeting, Koopman and O’Brien said that the countries which try to block others in the implementation of the Plan will practically block themselves because progress of each of the countries will be evaluated based on the reform implementation which will be a deciding factor for access to the funds from the EU Growth Plan. RTS reports that addressing the press conference after the meeting, O’Brien said that the new EU Growth Plan is much different than all previous plans, explaining that its results will be quick, visible and concrete, and noting that the countries in the region will not be able to block their neighbors with their decisions. Addressing the press conference, O’Brien said: “In this program, in exchange for reforms, the countries will get access to the European Single Market’’. He went on to say that two practical ideas were discussed in the meeting, i.e. one that will reduce costs of money transfer and enable five per cent savings from transfer of money from the EU funds to the region, and the other one related to expanding ‘green lanes’ for trucks “which is one of the most important of steps of the EU when it comes to the trade with the region”. During the meeting, representatives of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania signed two protocols which will enable completely free labor market as of March 1 in the Open Balkans countries, and Vucic said that this will significantly change the situation in the region enabling the three countries to more easily overcome acute labor force shortage. Addressing the press conference, Vucic also referred to the Open Balkans initiative, noting that some of the countries’ representatives were against it, not because “five plus one, i.e. five countries and one entity did not participate in it. I do not think that was the main reason. I think that the main reason for some to be against it was the fact that they were not at the steering wheel of the Open Balkans. The Open Balkans was, and it still is an initiative of people from the Balkans. We sat together at own initiative and came to an agreement. No one sat us at the table and ordered us what it should look like, that is why we love that initiative. The Berlin Process contributed to some things. We have nothing against the Berlin Process. We will always be in the Berlin Process and listen to everything they say and resolve things. But important issues like the labor force market, the question is how much time we still need to resolve it together with others”. Koopman also said that with the expansion of the EU during the 2000s, the exchange between the EU and then candidate countries, then member countries, increased by 300 percent. “The internal plan for market growth can deliver the same and we are encouraged to see the enthusiasm and energy that the leaders bring. The EU helps where possible,” Koopman pointed out. O’Brien said that in this program no one can veto anyone else. “Each country is responsible for its own reforms and for working with its neighbors. Now the countries that accept this initiative will see the benefits sooner. They will not wait for the solution of some unrelated bilateral dispute,” O’Brien said. Rama said that the countries of the Western Balkan region should put the needs of their citizens first and leave politics and history aside. “Because what we do in the next few months, if we succeed, will define what our countries will look like at the end of this decade,” Rama said.

 

B&H joins 47 countries signing the statement: We call on the Russian Federation to stop its war of aggression and withdraw immediately its troops from the territory of Ukraine (Dnevni avaz)

 

The Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, presented to the UN a ‘joint press stakeout’, noting that the document is delivered to the UN on  behalf of the governments of Ukraine, Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the EU. “We underscore the hypocrisy of the Russian Federation calling yet another UN Security Council meeting to criticize lawful arms transfers to Ukraine that are done in support of Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defense, as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This meeting today is another attempt by the Russian Federation to distract from its war of aggression against Ukraine and its intensified campaign of systematic air strikes killing civilians and destroying critical infrastructure. We reiterate our resolute condemnation of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. While Ukraine is trying to defend its civilian population, the Russian Federation is killing the Ukrainian people with arms procured from other countries. We condemn continued military support for Russia’s war of aggression, including by Iran, Belarus and the DPRK, and we continue to urge all countries not to provide weapons and military equipment, including missiles and drones or other support for Russia’s war of aggression.” The statement further reads: “The Russian Federation’s actions undermine the credibility of Security Council resolutions, undermine the global non-proliferation regime, exacerbate regional tensions, and endanger us all. We call on all UN Member States, including the Russian Federation, to fully implement relevant Security Council resolutions. We must ensure accountability for the serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine and ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes. We call on the Russian Federation to stop its war of aggression and withdraw immediately its troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

 

Dodik and Cvijanovic: Lagumdzija acted without approval of B&H Presidency (Srna/RTRS)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik stated that B&H Ambassador to UN Zlatko Lagumdzija did not have approval of the B&H Presidency for taking sides during the discussion on events in Ukraine. “The RS, without whose agreement decisions on behalf of B&H cannot be made, has been appealing for establishing of peace this entire time. Support to continuation of the armed conflict will bring nothing good to the people of Ukraine,” Dodik said in reaction to Lagumdzija’s decision to sign the joint statement calling on Russia to end war of aggression and withdraw troops from Ukraine. Dodik stressed that since the beginning the RS has been advocating a neutral stance, noting that nobody can sign any statements without approval of the B&H Presidency. Serb member of B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic stated that the fact that B&H Ambassador to the UN, Zlatko Lagumdzija signed on his own behalf, someone’s statement, does not mean that B&H is standing behind it, “or its government, which does not exist”. Cvijanovic told Srna that in order for something to be considered B&H’s stance, that decision has to be adopted in the B&H Presidency, which is the only competent institution for creating of foreign policy. “In this case the opinion of the B&H Presidency was not requested, which means that B&H Ambassador alone, or in agreement with a Foreign Minister, once again bypassed the procedure and reached for arbitrary behaviour which leaves the framework of constitutional and institutional activities,” said Cvijanovic.

 

Grlic Radman: It is necessary to closely monitor the situation in Montenegro (HRT)

 

Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Monday in Brussels that it is necessary to closely monitor the situation in Montenegro in order for that country to remain on the European path. Grlic Radman announced before the meeting of foreign ministers of the member states that he would emphasize the need to closely monitor development of the situation in Montenegro, a country he recently visited, in order to stay on the European path. The main topics of the meeting of the heads of diplomacy of the EU member states are the situation in the Middle East and a discussion on longer-term security obligations towards Ukraine and military support in its war with Russia. Grlic Radman said that the Western Balkans should remain at the center of the EU's attention. He mentioned the visit of Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to Sarajevo. “They will encourage the reform process in B&H with the goal of opening accession negotiations in March,” said Grlic Radman. He announced that he would call for de-escalation efforts in the Red Sea and for more aid to be delivered to Gaza and for the release of all hostages. As for Ukraine, he said that EU support must remain strong and predictable and that military aid through the European Peace Facility (EPF) needs to be increased.

 

Spajic: The growth plan for the Western Balkans is an opportunity for everyone, to start as soon as possible (RTCG)

 

The Prime Minister of Montenegro Milojko Spajic said in Skopje that he hopes that the reforms foreseen in the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which was adopted by the European Commission, will begin this year. "The growth plan for the Western Balkans is a very important opportunity for all of us, we are excited, and I hope that it will start as soon as possible, that is, this year. I think it is a very important signal not only for the countries of the region but also for employers who want to invest in the Western Balkans", said Spajic before the start of the meeting on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. A meeting of Western Balkans and EU leaders on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is being held in Skopje on Monday. As previously announced by the Government, participation in the conference will be an opportunity for Spajic to meet with colleagues from the Western Balkans region, ministers of EU member states in charge of finance, but also representatives of important institutions - RCC, EIB, EBRD, USAID and WB. The conference in question, as stated in the platform for the participation of the Montenegrin delegation, represents an opportunity for the leaders of the countries of the Western Balkans to exchange opinions with other participants, and apart from the Growth Plan, the future of the common regional market, integration and the single European market will be discussed, i.e. ways of synergy that would represent an incentive for accelerating the integration path of each of the countries, i.e. preparation for full membership in the EU. The growth plan, based on four pillars, is the key to the future membership of the Western Balkan countries in the EU. The basis of the plan is to encourage, through financial support, the beneficiary states to quickly unblock the processes that have stagnated until now, which, through a smart combination of reforms and investments, would simultaneously achieve economic growth and speed up the process of accession to the Union.

 

Kovachevski: Growth Plan connects aspirations to reality (MIA)

 

The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans will open the gates to the European single market and facilitate the free flow of goods, services, capital and people; as a structured framework reinforced by financial support, it is key to seamless regional integration, encouraging adoption of EU regulations and standards, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said in his opening remarks at the leaders meeting dedicated to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans taking place in Skopje. According to Kovachevski, who is hosting the meeting, the dual integration strategy will not only speed up the region's accession process to the EU but also will bring benefits such as increasing trade and investments and bolstering competitiveness and regional connectivity. "The plan is a bridge that connects aspirations with reality," Kovachevski said. He also said the Growth Plan went beyond economic strategies and was a driving force toward a prosperous future in the Western Balkans. "The plan is a powerful symbol of unwavering commitment to reforms, a decisive step toward transformation and aligning national economies with high European standards," Kovachevski said. "This instrument is a pivotal moment for us. With it, the countries of the Western Balkans will speed up their fundamental reforms, creating a link to the shared regional market," he said, adding that the new financial assistance would greatly support reforms. Earlier, in a statement given ahead of the meeting, Kovachevski said the Growth Plan was a concret step by the EU aimed at increasing regional cooperation and including the countries of the Western Balkans into the single European market. He said talks had started at the leaders' dinner on Sunday evening and announced the adoption of a joint declaration as a commitment to implementing activities from the Growth Plan, which primarily focus on reforms and advancing cooperation. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Albanian PM Edi Rama, Montenegrin PM Milojko Spajic, Kosovo PM Albin Kurti, Bosnia and Herzegovina's (B&H) Minister of Finance and Treasury Srdjan Amidzic, as well as Director General at the Directorate General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Gert Jan Koopman, and US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, James O'Brien, will participate in the meeting. Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj, Finance Minister Fatmir Besimi and their Western Balkan counterparts will also attend the meeting. In addition, the meeting will bring together representatives of regional organizations, the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), CEFTA and the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF), as well as international financial institutions. The European Commission adopted the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans on 8 November 2023, with the aim of bringing the Western Balkan partners closer to the EU through offering some of the benefits of EU membership to the region in advance of accession, boosting economic growth and accelerating socio-economic convergence.

 

Marichikj: Accelerated EU-integration for North Macedonia and Western Balkans through EU’s Growth Plan (MIA)

 

Propped up by significant financial assistance, the Growth Plan marks a resolute step and a transformational roadmap for joint prosperity of the Western Balkans, assessed Deputy Prime Minister for European affairs Bojan Marichikj on Monday, according to a press release from the Secretariat for European Affairs. The Deputy PM noted that at the meeting it was highlighted that the Growth Plan is a real step towards the Euro-integration of North Macedonia and the Western Balkan countries. “This initiative symbolizes the region’s commitment to action, encouraging economic development, stability and regional integration until the alignment of the national economies with the EU standards. The instrument acts as a catalyst for successful integration, encouraging fundamental reforms important for the fulfilment of the strategic goal of EU membership by 2030. The establishment of a Common Regional Market is crucial for the plan – unleashing the economic potential and paving the way towards the European single market. Facilitating trade; opening up the service sector; and labor mobility, are in the focus of the accelerated integration,” said Marichikj, who participated in the leaders’ meeting on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkan. According to the press release, at Monday’s meeting North Macedonia pledged to create a solid reform agenda that will serve as the basis for the country’s Euro-integration with the goal of full-fledged EU membership by 2030. “The main commitments of the meeting are the priorities on the path to the EU, i.e., the commitment to the realization of reforms, cooperation, connectivity through the financial instruments which will mean a stable and secure development of the region,” said the Secretariat in the press release.

 

O'Brien: Closer to the EU than ever, let's focus on practical work (MIA)

 

North Macedonia has never been closer to the EU, given that the Growth Plan is different than any other previous proposals and focuses on doing practical work; regional leaders recognize the importance of progress and are ready to take the political risk in achieving changes, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said in his remarks at the leadership meeting on the Western Balkans Growth Plan taking place in Skopje. O'Brien stressed that during the process of implementing the Growth Plan no countries would have the right to veto or block any other countries. No one would stop anyone else from progressing because of unresolved bilateral disputes; any country that would try to do so would face consequences, he said. Practical initiatives were expected in the next few months, he added, and in addition to the free flow of people, goods and services and the Single Euro Payments Area, the leaders have been discussing ideas for promoting electricity generation, transmission and trade. "With a little work, we can make things better," O'Brian said, adding that the US' position was clear in its steadfast support for the EU aspirations of the Western Balkans. He added that the region has never been closer to the EU than now and making progress would bring the region even closer to achieving the benefits of membership. He said the EU was constantly innovating and the Growth Plan was very different from previous proposals. "It says: Let's do the practical work'," O'Brian noted. He added that the US was supporting the idea of a free single market and free movement of goods and services. "We have spent about $200 million in aid to this region, and we will remain committed to this, but now we are focused on bringing the region into the single market," he added. In practical terms, he said, this meant defining specific initiatives for businesses and citizens in the region. According to him, the benefits from a Single Euro Payments Area would be great and obvious to everyone. Every individual transferring money in and out of the region would save five percent each time. And the European Green Corridors would greatly business. O'Brian said the goal was for the citizens of this region to have regional businesses and work in Europe. Also, he said, costs would be cut in two, with EU companies being able to outsource in the region. He said he expected that the meeting would result in selecting a specific group of people who would develop the initiatives and have to deliver them. "Political leaders are willing to take the political risk," O'Brien pointed out, adding that much work lay ahead but great progress was expected. "With this we are setting the pace," he said. He also said if a country wanted to stand back and watch, then the citizens of that country would decide if their political leaders were the right ones, O'Brien stressed. O'Brien addressed the meeting following Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski's and Director-General of the Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman's remarks.

 

O’Brien: Citizens will have clear choice between vision that knows how to go to Europe and something else (MIA)

 

The people of this country will have a clear choice sometime in the next months, between the vision that knows how to go to Europe and something else. That will be up to the citizens to decide. From the US standpoint we very much want to see North Macedonia become a part of Europe as soon as possible, said US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien, at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Monday, after a meeting of leaders from the region over the European Commission’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. “As the United States, we feel it’s in our interest that the interest of the citizens of the Western Balkans be satisfied and that we see the governments move closer to integration in Europe. So, it’s fitting for me to be here, this week, in Skopje, with the Prime Minister in his last international meeting in this mandate, that we commit that North Macedonia and the United States will continue to work together on the country’s trajectory into Europe. The people of this country will have a clear choice sometime in the next months, between the vision that knows how to go to Europe and something else. That will be up to the citizens to decide. From the U.S. standpoint, we very much want to see North Macedonia become a part of Europe as soon as possible,” said O’Brien. Asked about the existence of a “non-paper” by the Albanian political parties, in which they would pledge not to join a coalition with any party that would not adopt the constitutional amendments six months after the elections, O’Brien said he doesn’t know anything about it. “I want to stay with what I said when I was here in November and also today. We think it’s up to the citizens of North Macedonia to decide the way forward. I think one party has proposed a way forward and, of course, takes criticism, because, of course, some people like or don’t like that way. I think another party is promising that it will figure out a way forward, and I think it’s fair for the citizens to maybe ask that party to put forth a non-paper explaining what its vision is, and then you get to decide, between the vision you know and something that’s a promise,” said O’Brien.

 

Open Balkans countries sign protocols on free access to labor markets (MIA)

 

Protocols on free access to the labor markets of North Macedonia, Serbia, and Albania were signed Monday in Skopje by representatives of the three countries.  According to a government press release, Minister of Information Society and Administration, Azir Aliu, together with his counterparts from Serbia and Albania, signed the Protocol on Interconnection of Schemes for Electronic Identification of the Citizens of the Western Balkans. While, the head of the Employment Agency, Vedat Osmani, alongside his counterparts from Serbia and Albania, signed the first Protocol on the Implementation of Conditions for Free Access to the Labor Market in the Western Balkans.  The protocols conclude the necessary legal steps for the commencement of the measure, leaving only the final technical testing and harmonization within the e-service systems of the three countries to be implemented. Citizens are expected to receive free access to the labor markets of the three countries in March 2024. The signing of the two protocols implies a mutual legal commitment to enable free access to the labor market.

 

Kovachevski says sufficient time to complete formalities for Sunday's caretaker gov't vote (MIA)

 

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said Monday the caretaker government is a legal requirement and ruling and opposition parties should nominate their candidates and support it in the parliament, noting there is sufficient time for completion of the formalities until Sunday's vote. "I will not be a minister in the caretaker government but head the SDSM campaign for the coming elections. On the caretaker government, it is a legal requirement and all those involved in it - ruling and opposition political parties - should first nominate their candidates and support this government in the Parliament. There is sufficient time for completion of these formalities until Sunday's vote, so that we get a caretaker government that will administer the elections," Kovachevski told reporters. According to him, everyone should abide by the law and democratic principles. "You nominate ministers, and you support those ministers. You cannot expect someone else to support them, there is no such example worldwide," said Kovachevski.

 

Rama's message before the Skopje meeting: Let's get as close as possible to the EU (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama at the beginning of the meeting between the leaders of the Western Balkans and representatives of the EU, US and international financial institutions, on the New Growth Plan, considered the European Commission conveyed the message that Albania and other EU countries should take major steps to get as close as possible to the EU. "Good morning, everyone. I must say that this is really a very important meeting because we are here to share our thoughts before the high representatives of the EU and the US administration about the major steps that we can and must take to get closer to the EU," said Rama, among other things. Rama said that it is about the new economic growth plan of the EU and integration into the common market, which until now has only been possible for countries that have been EU member ones. Rama described this as a great opportunity that the countries of the Western Balkans should not miss.

 

The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Rama: The only colour is that of the EU flag if we want to achieve this (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, during his Monday’s participation in the round table of leaders of the Western Balkans and senior representatives of the US and EU administrations that is taking place in Skopje, underscored in his speech, the importance of this initiative not only for the states of the region but also for the stability, peace and prosperity of the entire region in general. Rama put forward to the need that the leaders of the Balkans should meet regularly at the political level. Albanian Prime Minister also stated during the round table that until the EU makes the region part of it, the latter should create a common market. The head of the Albanian government laid emphasis on the challenges and benefits of the Western Balkans to join the EU. "This is a great challenge and a great benefit if we want to become part of this family. If we want and are ready to sacrifice, give something of yourself and not play games. This is about the great test of maturity for us and we must pass this. You can imagine what a better position we would be in if the EU was more serious in managing the real issues. That's how it had to be when the Berlin Process started. A year later we [had] started with the Open Balkans [initiative]. Until we wait when the EU integrates us, let’s integrate ourselves," said Rama in his speech. Albanian Prime Minister called also for a greater approaching toward the EU. On the other hand, Prime Minister Rama emphasized that technical coordination is very important and the ministers in charge for the integration of the 6 countries need to have a clear message that the leaders should forget history. "They must be colour blind about history. You must forget what colour the flag of our countries is. The most important flag should be that of the EU. They need to sit down and technically discuss the details to make this happen. But the ministers should forget the history, the colours and remember that we only have one colour, the colour of the EU flag. If we want to achieve this and we don't want to miss this opportunity," said Rama. The Prime Minister recalled that the EU will have elections and at the moment it is not in a convenient position. "Whether it is understood properly or not, when they're in good shape, we're in bad shape, and when we're in good shape, they're in bad shape. It has never happened that these things are together. I hope that everything will go well, and we will continue with the new Commission and Council," added Rama.

 

Skopje, Rama meets US Assistant State Secretary James O'Brien (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, through a photo from Skopje, informs to have met the US Assistant State Secretary James O'Brien. The meeting comes on the eve of the dinner of the leaders of the Western Balkan region and high representatives of the US and EU administration. "Skopje - With the Assistant US Secretary of State, James O'Brien, on the eve of the working dinner between the leaders of the Western Balkans and senior representatives of the US and EU administration," writes Rama. Rama is in North Macedonia for the meeting of the leaders of the Western Balkans will is held today, dedicated to the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, approved by the European Commission.

 

Hasani meets McAllister: Supporting Albania's European future (Radio Tirana)

 

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani met with David McAllister, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, in Brussels.

Hasani expressed “I had a very good discussion with David McAllister, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs in Brussels this morning. Thankful to the AFET Committee for being vocal supporter of the European future of Albania and the Western Balkans in its EU integration process, and to McAllister's personal commitment.” Minister Hasani is currently in Brussels, participating in the 17th meeting of the EU-Albania Stabilization-Association Parliamentary Committee. The meeting will include discussions on the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, proposed by the European Commission. This plan is considered the most efficient means by which the region can gradually benefit from greater access to the EU's single market and reduce the economic development gap between the Western Balkans and the EU.

 

Nikolla meets the EU Ambassador: Cooperation in the Assembly facilitates the advancement towards the EU (Radio Tirana)

 

The speaker of the Assembly of Albania Lindita Nikolla received on Monday the new EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato. Speaker Nikolla and Ambassador Gonzato discussed the achievements and challenges of Albania along the EU integration process after the end of the screening process. Speaker Nikolla wished Ambassador Gonzato success in his mission in Albania and expressed her belief that, under his leadership of the EU Delegation in Albania, the cooperation of the Assembly with the EU Delegation in Tirana and the European institutions will continue to grow. Nikolla pointed out that the Assembly is working to facilitate and strengthen the political dialogue between the parties, to jointly face the challenges of European integration, political and technical aspects of the negotiation process. Cooperation between parliamentary groups in the Assembly will also facilitate the advancement and deepening of reforms, the modernization of the law-making process and the transparency increase of parliamentary activities. Ambassador Gonzato appreciated the very good progress of the screening process and the high performance of Albanian institutions in cooperation with EU institutions. Assembly Speaker Nikolla and Ambassador Gonzato also discussed the cooperation of the Assembly with the European Parliament and EU institutions in function of the modernization of parliamentary services, to better face the Assembly’s challenges for the deepening of reforms and the process of European integration.