LOCAL PRESS

 

Serbia withdrawing ambassador to France for consultations because of decision on Haradinaj (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on April 27 that a strict protest note would be delivered to France, whose court has released former KLA commander Ramush Haradinaj, and that the Serbian ambassador to Paris would be withdrawn for urgent consultations in Belgrade. Speaking at a news conference after the government's session, Vucic pointed out that he would not allow anybody, not even the great France, to humiliate Serbia, because that was not an issue of politics, but one of the highest moral standards.

"It is about whether someone is protecting criminals. Whether someone is following the rules," Vucic said. He said that the decision of the French court was political in nature. "The Serbian government views the decision as disgraceful, scandalous, illegal, unjust and, above all, political in nature," Vucic said. He went on to say that he would meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and that he expected to have meetings with some ambassadors over the course of April 27. He said Serbia would never give up on the work of its prosecution bodies because it owed it to the victims, and that this was not a great victory for the Albanians, but a great victory for criminals, with the modern world showing that it was possible to commit crimes and not be held to account.

Vucic said Serbia would continue to work towards peace and stability in the region. He added that, within three days at the latest, Serbia would send a letter to all the U.N. members, about how much it had invested in the preservation of stability, and that it would continue to prosecute all those who had committed war crimes.

Asked whether Serbia would break diplomatic relations with France, he said it would not and that he did not wish to jeopardize the country's stability with hasty decisions. Serbia had requested that France extradite Haradinaj, the former leader of the KLA and former Kosovo premier, whom it holds responsible for war crimes in Kosovo in 1998 and 1999.

 

Serbia sends protest note to France (Beta)

Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Veljko Odalovic sent on April 27 a protest note to French Ambassador in Belgrade Christine Moro, over what he described as a "scandalous" decision by a court of appeals in Colmar which had denied Serbia's request for the extradition of former Kosovo Liberation Army commander Ramush Haradinaj, the Ministry said.

"The note voices Serbia's stance that it was a politically motivated decision which is not founded in law and in the explanation of which material evidence provided by Serbia, including statements by surviving witnesses, was not accepted as valid," a statement said.

The protest note said that the Colmar Court of Appeals had not listed a single fact proving that the preconditions for the European Convention on Extradition, made in Paris in 1957 and ratified by Serbia and France, had not been met. "It stresses that this decision has violated the universal principle of international law on stopping unaccountability for war crimes, and that the statement that Ramush Haradinaj's extradition to Serbia would have been exceptionally difficult for him, which voices a lack of trust in the Serbian legal system," the statement added. The note describes the court's decision as "insulting" and concludes that it "is a major blow to bilateral relations" between Serbia and France.

 

"French disgrace" causes Serbian walkout at CoE session (B92)

A delegation of Serbia's National Assembly on Thursday left a session of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, held in Strasbourg, France, in protest. The move was prompted by the decision of a French court earlier in the day to reject Serbia's request to extradite Ramush Haradinaj. According to a statement, the Serbian delegation "condemned the disgraceful decision of the French court."

 

Nikolic writes to Hollande: politics has once more won over justice (RTS)

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic wrote on April 27 a letter to French President Francois Hollande, in which he said that a French court's decision not to extradite former KLA commander Ramush Haradinaj to Serbia "has entrenched the conviction that there is no justice for Serb victims" and that "politics has once more won over justice." Nikolic said that Serbia had sent documents "undeniably proving Haradinaj's guilt" according to valid procedures and that "the Colmar Appellate Court's decision has freed a criminal who will go unpunished through this act."

He said that the government would, in accordance with its authorities, decide how to demonstrate Serbia's dissatisfaction. "As a man to whom I have proved my friendship on several occasions, I am pointing out the repercussions of this obviously political decision by the French court, which has inflicted a grave injustice on Serbia, a big friend of France, to which we are at this time unfortunately only connected by the glorious past of our grandfathers and fathers," Nikolic said in his letter.

 

Vucic talks with Russian foreign minister Lavrov (Beta)

On April 27, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic talked with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov over the phone and acquainted him with the actions of the French authorities in the Haradinaj case, the Serbian government has said. The Russian foreign minister voiced his honest understanding of the stances and position of the Serbian government on that question, a brief statement said. The Appellate Court in the French city of Colmar on April 27 rejected Serbia's request for the extradition of Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Ramush Haradinaj.

 

Former UNMIK chief Soren Petersen: Serbia must respect international law (Politika)

Former UNMIK chief Soren Jessen-Petersen said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that the hearing against the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj is "unacceptable" and "scandalous" reports RFE.

"Unlike Ramus, it is clear that Serbia does not respect the rule of law and may not even know what that means," said Jensen Petersen. He added that the European Union as a mediator in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, is obliged to explain to Serbia that it must act in accordance with international law, which according to him is necessary in order to maintain the credibility of the dialogue.

 

Lavrov: Russia concerned about the court's decision on Haradinaj (Politika)

The release of former KLA leader Ramush Haradinaj in France represents a politicized decision and testifies to the double standards of Paris, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in talks with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

The statement reads that Lavrov and Vucic talked on the phone at the initiative of the Serbian side.

"Lavrov stressed that Russia share the deep concern of Serbia in connection with a clearly politicized decision of the French court, which was announced on 27 April to release from custody the notorious leader of the Kosovar extremists Ramush Haradinaj, which ignored Belgrade's demand sent through the Interpol" reads the statement published on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

“Moscow believes that all Kosovo politicians involved in war crimes must receive the deserved punishment, regardless of the position which they are occupying.

Paris showed the double standards in their policy of appeasement before Kosovo's aggressive policy of the Greater Albania project, that could destroy the fragile stability and represents a recurrence of the bloody conflict in the Balkans, says MSP Russia.

The statement says that Vucic and Lavrov discussed the bilateral cooperation and confirmed the determination to strengthen the strategic partnership between Moscow and Belgrade

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Dacic: Albanians are going for all or nothing (RTS)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stated that what is going on in Macedonia is not just the internal problem of Macedonia, but that it represents the problem for a whole region.

“I would like to say that now it is obvious how much we were right when we pointed out that Serbia has an important lever in its hands, and that is the political stability” stated Dacic for RTS. He added that there is no hope for a political agreement in Macedonia, that Croatia is having a political instability, and that it is of the vital importance to establish the existence of the authority that is holding the things under control.

“International community did not intervene with the request for a compromise, but with the request for acceptance of a single option. It is obvious that the Macedonian community is deeply divided, regardless of their Macedonian or Albanian nationality” said Dacic. Asked if the crises could spill out in to Serbia and the region, Dacic answered that the situation in Serbia would be similar like the one in Macedonia if someone else was on power.

“That is why we took the responsibility to be the beacon of the regional stability” said Dacic. As he said “the situation is not good. The Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic warned about it several times. The Prime Minister had multiple talks yesterday, Serbia will help as much as it can, but we can only appeal for the peace” pointed out the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He repeated that if someone else was on power in Serbia, the situation in our country today would be the same like in Macedonia. Serbia, he added, has balanced reactions on the provocations coming from the south of Serbia, from the municipalities populated by the Albanians, saying that their President is not Vucic but Rama, but also on those saying that the Great Albania is not complete without the city of Nis. Dacic admits that it is not easy for him to hold back on daily statements regarding the forming of the Greater Albania, but that he respects the red line drawn by the Prime Minister Vucic.

“That is the same like if we would talk about uniting with the Serbs from the region. The first one to react on their statements was Johannes Hahn” Dacic pointed out. As he said, talks about the Grater Albania are not happening by accident, Albanians are not that brave to talk about Grate Albania on their own.

“That’s why it is important to preserve the political stability. Do we really want to have Macedonian scenario here” asked Dacic. As he said, Albanians are now going for all or nothing and added that their protectors have vanished from the world’s political scene.

He said that the events in Macedonia look like there is almost no hope for some political agreement. As he said International community did not intervene in order for a compromise to be found, it intervened for acceptance of a single option. For Serbia it is important to protect its own interests, Dacic pointed out and said that he will participate today on the meeting of the European Union with the countries which are candidates for the EU accession, which being held Malta.

Serbian security services to meet over events in Skopje (B92)

PM and President-elect Aleksandar Vucic late on Thursday scheduled an emergency meeting of the Bureau for Coordination of Security Services for Friday. Vucic, who chairs the Bureau, said what is happening in Macedonia is not only a Macedonian problem, "but a problem for all of us who live in the region."

According to the Serbian government, he also "appealed to the citizens of this country to solve problems peacefully," and sent them the following message:

"As Prime Minister and as the elected president of the Republic of Serbia I always did everything to maintain the best of relations between Belgrade and Skopje, between Serbia and Macedonia. I think that the citizens of Macedonia know and respect the way in which the Republic of Serbia relates to the citizens of Macedonia, but also to the state of Macedonia. I am very concerned about this evening's events and my only message is to ask them to all the problems and resolve disputes in a peaceful manner. Calming the situation is certainly in the best interest of Macedonia and its citizens, and all other problems can be solved at the negotiating table, in a peaceful way, in a peaceful atmosphere. This is not only a Macedonian problem, but is becoming a problem for all of us and therefore we should ensure peace and stability for our children."

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

DF, SDP, Alliance for Changes, SBB and HDZ 1990 started talks on formation of new parliamentary majority (Nezavisne)

Following the expulsion of Senad Sepic from SDA and the decision of Salko Sokolovic, Sadik Ahmetovic and Semsudin Mehmedovic to leave the SDA Caucus in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives (HoR), political parties have started discussing formation of new parliamentary majority. As member of B&H HoR Damir Becirovic (DF) confirmed, the talks are ongoing, and there will be major changes on political scene within the next two weeks. “If the changes happen, you can be sure that the Law on Excise Duties will not even be on the agenda”, he stated.

According to the daily’s sources, parties involved in talks on new parliamentary majority are DF, SDP, Alliance for Changes, SBB and HDZ 1990. If Sepic, Ahmetovic, Mehmedovic and Sokolovic join this new coalition, the coalition will have 25 MPs in B&H HoR. SDS’s Borislav Bojic refused to comment the possibility of new parliamentary majority. Representative of the Alliance for Changes in B&H HoR Momcilo Novakovic stated that he has been talking for months about the fact that the parliamentary majority does not exist anymore. According to him, the opposition parties will have enough seats to form a new majority even without the Alliance for Changes, because A-SDA and BPS are likely to join the new coalition. However, he added, this new majority could not function because anything adopted by it in B&H HoR would be rejected by the House of Peoples. Member of B&H HoR Mirsad Isakovic (SBB) stated that the party has not yet discussed the possibility of formation of a new coalition. SDA’s Amir Fazlic briefly stated that anything is possible in politics, including the formation of new parliamentary majority.

 

HDZ B&H leader Covic: Changes to Election Law to be adopted within next three months, Federation of B&H has minority Government (Glas Srpske)

Croat member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Dragan Covic said that he believes changes to the Election Law of B&H will be adopted in the Parliament of B&H within the next three months.

“In our proposal of changes to the Election Law, we have focused on decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H, with which we want to resolve the issue of constituent status of peoples”, Covic said in an interview to RTRS on Wednesday evening. He explained that two things are important for Croats - election of members of the Presidency of B&H and election of delegates in the House of Peoples - adding that they also want to eliminate the possibility for any people to impose their rights onto other peoples.

Commenting on political situation in B&H, Covic said that it is difficult to find the right and appropriate words to define the situation. Furthermore, HDZ B&H leader believes that the Federation of B&H has minority Government, which will have to remain - probably unchanged - until the end of current election cycle, meaning that B&H as a country will stagnate. Covic also said that he has excellent cooperation with President of Republika Srpska (RS) and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, and that he is satisfied with what Croat representatives in the RS are doing to protect the interests of Croat people.

 

GS: Covic’s threats must be taken seriously (Oslobodjenje)

GS (Civic Alliance) issued a press statement on Thursday condemning the “threats of HDZ leader and member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Dragan Covic” who said that the security problems in the central Bosnia, Herzegovina and Republika Srpska (RS) are possible unless the Law on Elections is amended. GS stated that Covic’s statement has shown once again that the party is absolutely right to warn about the intents and plans of HDZ B&H to organize mass violence before or immediately after the 2018 elections. The party underlined that HDZ B&H attempted to change the constitutional order of B&H using violence 16 years ago, and “regretfully concluded that while (SDA leader) Bakir Izetbegovic is dealing with illegal employment of party personnel in state companies, his strategic partner is using all the concessions given by Izetbegovic to resurrect the criminal Herzeg-Bosnia”.

 

EUSR Wigemark: It is important that B&H continues with reforms (TV1)

Speaking about implementation of the Reform Agenda, Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and EU Special Representative (EUSR) Lars-Gunnar Wigemark assessed that its implementation is now closer to the real essence i.e. to what is important to citizens. Wigemark emphasized the importance that B&H continues its implementation, even though there were some delays caused by last year’s local elections and certain political developments. The EUSR expressed understanding for citizens’ concern related to whether tax burden will increase or not. He remarked that there are some in B&H who declaratively advocate reforms but then change their mind once they see that certain reform implies complete transformation. Singling out the reforms that should be in the focus of the next phase of the Reform Agenda, Wigemark said that there should be reforms pertaining to public administration, rule of law, efficient judiciary and issue of corruption. Wigemark said that he is not saying that everything contained in the Reform Agenda is perfect but it is necessary for B&H to make progress in implementing reforms.

Reflecting on the fact that B&H Parliament failed to adopt the Law on Excise Duties Wigemark stated that he already “regretted this as a lost opportunity” but also said that this opportunity should perhaps not be easily rejected. “When it comes to excise duties and any other issues, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and others made it clear that it is necessary to find solutions that are acceptable enough for all”, he noted. Wigemark pointed out the need to let B&H Parliament adequately decide on this law. Wigemark said that EU cannot impose these things on B&H but only present opinion and stance on the matter in order to help B&H to improve the standards.

Assessing the political situation in B&H after failure to adopt the Law on Excise Duties in urgent procedure, Wigemark said that the whole discussion on the specific matter of excise duties “might be a symptom of something much deeper within certain political parties and between political parties”. Wigemark warned that this matter has somewhat become “a hostage to certain tensions among political parties” in B&H.

Asked whether the EU accession of B&H and other non-EU member countries in the region would lead to relaxation of relations there, Wigemark replied: “Absolutely. I think that one should never forget that the ultimate goal for the whole region, this area of former Yugoslavia, is to make steps forward on the European path.” Wigemark reminded that specific issues in terms of regional cooperation were discussed at the recent Summit of Western Balkans Prime Ministers in Sarajevo. At that respect, Wigemark underlined that the country’s closest partners should be its first neighbors.

 

Ivanic, Cormack meet, discuss excise duties, EU path (RTRS)

Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Mladen Ivanic met with US Ambassador to B&H Maureen Cormack in Sarajevo on Thursday. Ivanic and Cormack discussed issues related to the new Law on Excise Duties, political situation in B&H and the EU path.

 

RS President Dodik: I appreciate Cormack’s presence in Gradina, but I have no intention to flatter anyone (N1)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik told N1 why he recently refused to shake hands with US Ambassador Maureen Cormack. Dodik explained that he appreciates Cormack’s presence in Donja Gradina on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of breakthrough of camp prisoners from the Jasenovac concentration camp, but he added that he has no intention to flatter anyone. Dodik stated:

“This is purely personal relation. I did not even expect that she (Cormack) will shake hands with me, so I was not ready to shake hands with her. Anyway, I do not believe that this was something very important. We did not communicate at all in the past. I believe that she is the main culprit for presenting the situation here in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a stereotypical and false manner and continuous presentation of accusations against Republika Srpska”.

 

Serwer warns about Bakir’s connections with Muslim Brotherhood (Dnevni avaz)

US expert on the Balkans Daniel Serwer deems that connections of the SDA leader and Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic are quite visible and more obvious than it was the case with his father Alija. Commenting on the situation in B&H, Serwer warned that relations between Izetbegovic and Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan have intensified as Erdogan got more radical. In his lecture dedicated primarily to influence of Turkey and Russia on the Balkans, Serwer warned that achievements of the West, made after the end of war 20 years ago, might be annulled. Serwer also argued that neither Russia nor Turkey are interested to have good relations between the countries in the Balkans and western countries and Russia especially does not want countries in this region to get closer to NATO and European Union (EU). Serwer also requested a stronger engagement of Washington and Brussels in the region. Serwer said that Russia’s attempt to execute coup-d’état in Montenegro was only a tip of an iceberg and added that Russia is doing everything in its power to make accession of the Balkans countries to NATO and EU more difficult. “Shady financial operations in the RS, Russia’s alleged ‘humanitarian center’ in Serbia, unclear military assistance and investments as well as support to Russia-philic politicians in the region, are the reason for concern”, Serwer said.

 

Croatia

 

PM: New parliamentary majority includes new Parliament Speaker (Hina)

Prime Minister and Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) leader Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday after a meeting of the HDZ parliamentary group that he had the group's full support for his decision earlier in the day to dismiss three Bridge party ministers and that he had started collecting signatures for the formation of a new parliamentary majority, which, he said, included a new parliament speaker. Plenkovic on Thursday ruled out a snap parliamentary election after three ministers of the Bridge of Independent Lists party (Most) were dismissed.

"We will make sure political stability remains," he said. But he said his party was also ready for snap elections if events took an unexpected turn, although he believed the situation was unlikely. Plenkovic said that he has support from the HDZ for a possible cabinet reshuffle.

 

Montenegro

 

Green light for the North Atlantic Treaty (RTCG)

Legislative Committee proposed to the Assembly to adopt the draft law on Ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty which provides conditions for the entry of Montenegro in NATO, TVCG reports. Session of the legislative committee today was also attended by Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic who said that Montenegro is in the finalization of joining the Alliance. After the entry into force of the law, Montenegro will submit its instrument of ratification of North Atlantic Treaty to the Government of the United States, which is the depositary of the contract. Date of reception of the instrument shall be the date of entry of Montenegro in NATO. A parliamentary session will be held in Cetinje on Friday.

 

DEMOS: "The situation is getting worse" (RTCG)

The situation in Montenegro, on the eve of adoption of the decision on NATO membership, is getting worse, said the leader of DEMOS, Miodrag Lekic, urging the government to seriously take opposition’s proposals for overcoming the political and institutional crisis.

"Some kind of quasi decision on Montenegro's accession to NATO should be adopted tomorrow. The atmosphere is blazing hot, "Lekic told at the press conference. He recalled that Demos argues that such a possible decision should be brought in a referendum, adding that even their Program states that citizens must have opportunity to vote on a referendum on the accession of Montenegro to the security and military structures, including NATO. He believes that the NATO issue, which has deeply divided Montenegrin society, has its function - not to be seen the real economic and social situation, irregularity of political-institutional system, and to cover up "the various biographies of individuals from the highest authorities."

"The time has come for reason to prevail, and to try together to find a way out of the deep political and institutional crisis, ‘’said Lekic.

 

fYROM

 

Police surrounded fYROM Parliament building, protesters breached the police cordon, Zaev injured (Meta)

The MPs of the parliamentary majority, led by SDSM, this afternoon stayed in the plenary hall of the Parliament after the president, Trajko Veljanoski, stopped the today’s 20th continuation of its session. The MPs of SDSM, DUI, Besa and the Alliance of the Albanians refuse to leave the hall and are demanding that a new president of the Parliament should be elected.

In the hall, VMRO-DPMNE’s MPs are present, who, as they say, will remain to guard the Constitution and the Parliament’s Rulebook. The MPs demand a vote for the election of a new president of the Parliament, and VMRO-DPMNE is demanding new early parliamentary elections.

The mood in the Parliament got heated in the last hour of today’s session after SDSM’s MPs arose from their seats and their colleague, Oliver Spasovski demanded they should vote for passing on the fourth point from the agenda – election of a new president of the Parliament.

Later afternoon, the parliamentary majority selected DUI MP, Talat Xhaferi as Parliament Speaker.

The chairman of the constitutive session was MP Ferid Muhic, as the second in line, Branko Manojlovski was absent from the session. Muhic chose Goran Misovski and Dzevad Ademi as his deputies, and the selection for Xhaferi to become Speaker was chaired by Misovski. However, during this time, from the backbenches in the plenary hall, MPs from VMRO-DPMNE could be heard shouting “this is a coup” and “shameful”, and they sang the Macedonian anthem.

After being elected with 61 votes “for” Xhaferi pledged his solemn oath of office and officially signed his sworn declaration, after which he repeated the ceremony in the Albanian language. MPs from the Besa Movement and DPA did not vote for the choice of Xhaferi.

After selecting Xhaferi, citizens who had been protesting under the civil movement “For a United Macedonia” were just outside the main entrance of Parliament and entered the building through other entrances.

The police have surrounded the Parliament building, and their presence has increased, however, according to unofficial information, special police units with armored vehicles have been sent to Parliament.

Hundreds of protesters entered the Macedonian Parliament building and thousands more are around it. Protesters and members of Parliament, including SDSM leader Zoran Zaev, were injured in the fighting that broke out and there were reports of at least one shot fired, allegedly from Zaev’s security detail.

Protesters took over the main plenary hall of the Parliament. Meanwhile, SDSM members remained in the Parliament and tried to barricade themselves in a part of the building. The barricade was punched through and several representatives from SDSM and their allied parties were punched and kicked, according to journalists who were covering the events live.

Police deployed in greater numbers after the Parliament was stormed and secured several side entrances. Protesters are also deployed around these entrances, anticipating that the SDSM representatives may try to flee the building. Crowds swelled as news spread that SDSM tried to break the month long filibuster in Parliament.

 

President Gjorge Ivanov addressed the public (MIA, Meta)

Special police, units two hours after the outbreak of violence in parliament, began the attempts to extract the protesters who took over the Parliament. Stun grenades were used to empty the Parliament building, electricity and the light were cut off. At least a hundred people were injured in the storming of the Parliament, when hundreds of protesters pushed through the police. Several SDSM members of Parliament, including party leader Zoran Zaev and Alliance of Albanians leader Zijadin Sela sustained more serious injuries.

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov addressed the public at 22:30 and called for a return to calm and order. The President summoned all political leaders to his office, to discuss the new situation and to return stability to Macedonia. According to Ivanov, the rules of Parliament were violated when SDSM and several of its coalition allies staged a vote for a new Parliament Speaker.

"I call on the public to remain calm, and not fall under the influence of false news and manipulations. I urge a reduction in tensions and refraining from violence, calm and orderly behavior. All relevant institutions need to act responsibly and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Macedonia. Members of Parliament are the most responsible to return the situation back in compliance with the Constitution, the laws and the Parliament rules, which were violated today. Everybody needs to be responsible for his actions and aware of their consequences. There is no issue that we can't resolve through dialogue, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Macedonia. Therefore, I call the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament to come to my office tomorrow for a leadership meeting at which we will discuss the new situation. We will examine all exit options from this situation. The leaders have received the confidence of the citizens and are the most responsible to find solutions in accordance with the Constitution and the laws. Nobody from the outside will come to solve our problems unless we can solve them ourselves, in accordance with the Macedonian state interests", President Ivanov said in his address.

 

Statements by the international community (Meta)

The head of the OSCE mission in Macedonia, Nina Suomalainen, through called for stop of the violence in the Assembly, and for the police to ensure the safety.

"Tense situation in Skopje. The violence has to stop, the police should ensure the security of the Parliament and MPs" said Suomalainen.

The joint statement of the European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Frederica Mogherini reads:

"We strongly condemn today's attacks on members of parliament in Skopje. Violence in parliament is totally unacceptable and we call for calm and restraint, "reads the joint statement of the High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security of the European Union Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy Johannes Hahn. They call the Ministry of Interior and the police to ensure the safety of the Parliament and MPs.

"Democracy must continue its course. The European Union is convinced that the political dialogue in the institutions is the only way forward. We urge the political actors to respect the country's Constitution and act in the spirit of democratic principles, decency and common sense. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a candidate country and the European Union is ready to work with the Assembly the necessary reforms to move the country forward on its European path"

Now is not the time for violence, this is the time for dialogue, said Swedish Ambassador to Macedonia, Mats Stefansson, condemning the violence and incidents in the Parliament. Police is responsible for introducing the order - said Stephenson, speaking on behalf of the European Union and the United States. He made the statement in the presence of the ambassadors of the Netherlands and the UK.

The Council of Europe calls on Friday the parties in Macedonia to deescalate the situation and refrain from violence.

“The situation at the Skopje parliament is alarming. I call on all parties in Skopje to deescalate the situation and refrain from violence. Parliament must uphold democracy and the rule of law, and it should promote dialogue,” Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland said.

 

Foreign Minister Poposki travels for meetings with EU foreign ministers in Malta (MIA)

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki is scheduled to travel to the informal meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers at Malta which is called by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. The meeting includes foreign ministers from EU candidate countries, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey. Poposki will have a number of bilateral meetings while attending the informal summit.

 

Albania

 

Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama made the statement regarding the situation in Macedonia (ATA)

Escalating violence is senseless blockade of parliament in Macedonia. Albanians in Macedonia should stay calm and not fall to provocations. We do not want the end of Macedonia, but its democratization, consolidation and integration of the Euro-Atlantic path, said the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama. Rama said that Albanians should fight for their rights without fall of provocations. He urged Macedonian Interior Minister Agim Nuhiu not allow violence to be seen as justified measure.

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeals for calm after violence in Macedonia (ATA)

Albania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday evening condemned violence that erupted in Macedonian Parliament, where attacks against some MPs and reporters are reported. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appealed for calm and dialogue.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following with great concern the escalating situation in Macedonia and scenes of violence in the premises of the Parliament where attacks on some MPs are reported. Such clashes and scenes of violence against the representatives elected by the citizens of Macedonia are unacceptable and not worthy of a parliamentary democracy. Violence does not help at all in solving the created situation,” Ministry said.

“We call upon all political actors to show self-restraint, not use rhetoric that exacerbates the tense situation and engage maximally, calmly, avoiding overreaction, in a meaningful dialogue. Also, we call on law enforcement forces to engage in public order preservation and security of all citizens and their representatives,” the statement read.

“Macedonian citizens expect the crisis comes to an end as soon as possible and institutions continue their normal functioning process, to their common good, of coexistence and inter-ethnic harmony as well as the country’s Euro-Atlantic progress. The Albanian MFA supports the appeal of EU and USA ambassadors to avoid violence and start an inherent political dialogue in Macedonia” Ministry of Foreign Affairs concluded.

 

Lu: Elections can be considered legal without opposition (ATA)

American Ambassador in Albania, Donald Lu declared on Thursday that the Parliamentary Elections can be considered legitimate even without the participation of the opposition.  In an interview, Lu said that of course an electoral process with the opposition is better, and all must work to realize it.

"It is obvious that the Parliamentary Elections will be better if in the process will participates all the political parties. But at the same time is true that the elections can be legal even without the presence of the opposition," said Lu.

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

More Balkan trouble brewing in region famous for mischief (The Washington Times)

What should be Donald Trump's top priority?

As the old saying goes, history may not repeat itself — but it sure does rhyme.

We are seeing this scenario play itself out in the Balkans. The region is a flash point, a world conflict waiting to happen. Consider the charges traded by Albania and Serbia over accession to the European Union. As one reporter from the regional news service Tsarizm stated, it is obvious there is an imposed peace in the Balkans, a peace that right now looks very fragile.

Everyone knows about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian assassin in Sarajevo, which touched off World War I. As Russia reasserts itself in geopolitical affairs, steered by the consummate statesman Vladimir Putin, the memory of the bombing of Serbian forces in the Balkan wars of the 1990s is still fresh in the memory of many Russians.

To this day, if an American goes to a dinner party in Moscow, the subject of Serbia will eventually come up. Moscow’s determination to reappear on the geopolitical scene can be traced to Russian feelings of impotence in the face of NATO airstrikes against their long-term Slavic ally three decades ago.

The tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, which Belgrade still sees as a breakaway part of the country, have been back in the news lately. Serbia wanted to send a train into Kosovo with “Kosovo is Serbia” written all over the outside in multiple languages. The ethnic hatreds and clashing territorial claims are still there, smoldering beneath the agreements and the imposed peace, ready to reassert themselves at any time.

Last week, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama angered Serbia by hinting at a greater Albanian state from Tirana to Kosovo. Many Albanians brushed it off as just rhetoric designed to pressure for the EU to speed up the accession process for certain Balkan states. However, Serbia took it seriously, as a Freudian slip revealing the true Albanian agenda.

“If I said that all Serbs should live in one state, I would be hanged from a flagpole in Brussels,” said the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.

The caldron of conflicts of interest has a religious aspect that is integral to understanding the tension. The massive influx of Muslim refugees into Europe has heightened the sense of crisis. Serbia and Russia are positioning themselves as the protectors of the Orthodox faith, using the church to justify a conquest doctrine to combat Islamic forces which have attempted to do the same.

Macedonia and Montenegro also have large ethnic Albanian populations. The accession of these former Yugoslavian states into NATO has angered Mr. Putin. The Kremlin has encouraged instability in the Balkans, attempting to lure the countries for the region away from the EU and back into Moscow’s orbit.

So once again, you have the great powers of the world jockeying for influence in this tiny corner of Europe. The European Union is trying to keep its great globalist experiment alive. Moscow is trying to recreate buffer zones and spheres of influence on its borders. The U.S. State Department is involved, with old Obama administration diplomats balking at the new Trump “America First” doctrine and pushing the open border agenda of liberal billionaire George Soros throughout the region.

With the world focused on the North Korean threat, the Middle East mess and Beijing’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, global leaders will be wise to keep an eye on this notoriously volatile corner of the Earth.

 

More than 100 People Injured in Storming of Parliament (Independent.mk)

At least a hundred people were injured in the storming of the Parliament on Thursday afternoon, when hundreds of protesters pushed through the police to prevent an attempt by the SDSM party to force a vote on a new Parliament Speaker. Several SDSM members of Parliament, including party leader Zoran Zaev, were punched during the incident, and Alliance of Albanians leader Zijadin Sela sustained more serious injuries.

Most of the 109 people who sought medical assistance were protesters, with about 20 police officers also reporting injuries. One of Zaev's bodyguards apparently also used a firearm in the melee, but no gunshot injuries are reported so far. Several VMRO-DPMNE representatives positioned themselves between the protesters and the SDSM representatives, shielding them with their bodies and preventing greater number of injuries. Police reinforcements moved in to clear out the Parliament building after it was held by protesters for several hours, and helped evacuate the members of Parliament.

The incident began in the afternoon hours, when SDSM members of Parliament refused to leave the main hall, after Speaker Trajko Veljanoski adjourned the discussion for the day. In line with an earlier announcement by SDSM leader Zoran Zaev that SDSM and several parties that represent ethnic Albanians may move to end the month long filibuster and elect a new Speaker, the SDSM representatives began holding a separate session. VMRO-DPMNE representatives blocked them from reaching the Speaker's chair, to which SDSM and representatives from other parties held a brief discussion standing in their portion of the Parliament. At one point, SDSM representative Goran Misoski called for a vote to elect Talat Xhaferi from the DUI party as a new Speaker, and promptly said that he has counted 61 votes in favor. VMRO-DPMNE responded calling "this is a coup" and singing the Macedonian national anthem. Tensions flared as earlier ethnic Albanian members of Parliament also sang the Albanian anthem, and also due to Xhaferi himself, who was a guerrilla commander in the 2001 insurgency and whose previous appointments to positions were also followed by loud protests. He served briefly as Defense Minister but the Speakership is the highest position to which a former guerrilla commander tried to get appointed.

During the attempt to hold a vote, thousands of protesters from the association For a United Macedonia were in front of the Parliament in one of their regular, two months long protests, at which they vowed to prevent the election of a Parliament Speaker who has not fully rejected the controversial Tirana platform. As the news about the events in Parliament spread, groups of protesters began trying to enter the Parliament, and eventually the mass of people pushed the police aside and took over the main hall. SDSM representatives moved to a press hall with a group of journalists, and at one point a mass of people broke into the building, attacking the representatives. Video footage showed SDSM leader Zoran Zaev with a bloodied head, as were several other representatives. His deputy Radmila Sekerinska was seen on video being pulled back by her hair by one of the protesters. But Zijadin Sela from the Alliance of Albanians sustained the worst injuries and was seen lying on the floor. VMRO-DPMNE representatives Vladimir Gjorcev and Nikola Todorov positioned themselves between the SDSM members and the angry crowd and protected them the best they could, urging the crowd to leave the hall.

After the initial attack, police reinforcements began to arrive and moved to clear out the Parliament, and later used flash grenades to disperse several groups around the building. Calls for restraint and calm came immediately, with President Gjorge Ivanov addressing the nation and summoning the leaders of all political parties represented in Parliament to his office on Friday.

"I call on the public to remain calm, and not fall under the influence of false news and manipulations. I urge a reduction in tensions and refraining from violence, calm and orderly behavior. All relevant institutions need to act responsibly and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Macedonia. Members of Parliament are the most responsible to return the situation back in compliance with the Constitution, the laws and the Parliament rules, which were violated today. Everybody needs to be responsible for his actions and aware of their consequences. There is no issue that we can't resolve through dialogue, in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Macedonia. Therefore, I call the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament to come to my office tomorrow for a leadership meeting at which we will discuss the new situation. We will examine all exit options from this situation. The leaders have received the confidence of the citizens and are the most responsible to find solutions in accordance with the Constitution and the laws. Nobody from the outside will come to solve our problems unless we can solve them ourselves, in accordance with the Macedonian state interests", President Ivanov said.

VMRO-DPMNE President Nikola Gruevski cut short his official visit to Austria and returned to Skopje to meet the party leadership. In a 3AM press conference he strongly condemned the attacks and called on the institutions to bring those individuals who are responsible to justice. Gruevski also condemned the way in which SDSM acted in Parliament, staging an illegal attempt to vote in a new Speaker and deliberately provoking an incident. SDSM issued a press release on Friday in which they also called for calm and said that the democratic majority in Parliament which they claim they have will implement the will of the citizens.

European Union diplomats in Skopje, who were attending a Dutch event in a downtown hotel, condemned the attacks and called for dialogue. Shortly after, European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn also condemned the attacks, and said that they take positive note of the reported election of Xhaferi as Speaker. The US Embassy in Macedonia issued two press releases, initially calling for dialogue and condemning the violence, and later also saying that they consider Xhaferi to have been regularly elected. Regional countries also expressed their concern and announced they are monitoring the situation.