LOCAL PRESS

 

Assembly meets to elect government, Brnabic presents her program (Vecernje Novosti, Beta)

A session of Parliament for electing a new cabinet was scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 28. There was only one subject on the agenda – the election of the cabinet and the swearing in of the Prime Minister and members of the Serbian cabinet. Prime Minister Ana Brnabic's proposal for the composition of the Serbian cabinet arrived in Parliament on June 27. She is proposing 21 new members - 18 ministers and three ministers without portfolio.

Compared to Aleksandar Vucic's government, the new cabinet will have three new faces – Socialist Party of Serbia Vice President Branko Ruzic, who was nominated as Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-government, Belgrade Secretary for Environmental protection and a member of the Socialist Party of Serbia Goran Trivan was nominated as Minister of Environmental protection, and Serbian People's Party President Nenad Popovic, nominated as Minister without portfolio for Innovation.

Brnabic read out her keynote - the program of her future government - with her main messages focusing on the need to distance Serbia from "a bureaucratic mindset" and the need to catch up with the digital revolution and stop the country's brain drain.

"It is an honor to serve Serbia to make it change for the better. It is important that we agree on the priorities and make a social agreement on what we can and must achieve together for Serbia to become a successful country," Brnabic said. She also addressed numerous criticisms heard since President Aleksandar Vucic announced she was his pick to as head of government, to say her response was "not to respond."

As for her cabinet, Brnabic said its "vision" would be built on the foundations of the previous one. The state coffers are in a good condition, with positive macroeconomic indicators, a budget surplus, and inflation within target values, she said. She also spoke about the urgency of establishing the Community of Serb Municipalities in the province of Kosovo and Metohija, saying that the goal is to maintain stability in Kosovo, continue negotiations with representatives of the interim administration in Pristina, economically strengthen Serbs there, and continue to support the return of displaced persons. She added that she is counting on the support of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the proposed first Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic.

The deadline to vote in a new government is June 30. At least 126 people's deputies in the 250-seat Assembly must vote in favor for this to happen.

 

Vulin: No hidden messages in my new role as defense chief (RTS)

Aleksandar Vulin says his nomination for Serbia's new defense minister carries with it "no hidden messages." Vulin, who serves as labor, veteran, and social affairs minister in the outgoing government, has told RTS that the goals and priorities of the country's defense policy would remain the same: "Modernizing military equipment, working to improve the position of Army members, improving the defense industry, and military neutrality."

"When Aleksandar Vucic became Minister of Defense, he defined a policy that we are adhering to this day. It is a policy that has given results, restored Serbia's reputation, improved the Serbian Army. The president of the Republic is the commander in chief, the one who is most responsible for our army. Vucic will continue to conduct the policy he has been conducting so far, and will have help from me," Vulin said. Vulin also told the state broadcaster that his new job is "a great challenge but also a great honor" and that he believes that, together with members of the Ministry of Defense, he will succeed in "changing things for the better."

The minister explained that the previous government "tasked Vucic with taking special care of the defense industry, because this is one of the most important parts of the Ministry of Defense, something that can change everyday life and help the country's economy."

As for the opinion that his appointment as defense minister is a message being sent to the West that Serbia will not "break relations with Russia" and does not intend to join NATO, Vulin said Serbia's policy is one of "cooperation and respect with NATO" and "cooperation with Russia, China" - while "our country has no intention of aligning itself with any military alliance."

"We want to take care of our security, to protect our own sky, the country and the people. We must maintain a policy of friendship with both NATO and with Russia. We will not impose sanctions on Russia, but we will not stop cooperation with the West either. Serbia is not a country that should enter into conflicts with anyone," he said. According to Vulin, Serbia's new government will be the same as the previous one - "the same ministers remained, with several exceptions in the departments that perhaps do not determine the key policy."

 

Dacic: We are actively working against Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO (VIP)

Serbia is actively working on preventing Kosovo’s admission in UNESCO, although the Kosovo Minister still hasn’t even submitted the nomination for this membership, said the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. Dacic did not wish to say what exactly Serbia was doing on this matter, since he did not wish for “the other side” to know about its moves.

“I will not say which countries have promised not to vote for Kosovo, but this is the topic of my every talk. What kind of a Foreign Minister would I be if I were to tell you what we do”, Dacic told reporters. Two years ago, Serbia successfully blocked Kosovo’s attempt to enter into UNESCO. At the time, at the UNESCO General Conference, 92 countries voted in favor of Kosovo’s admission, and 50 were opposed.

 

Scott: U.S. expects Kosovo’s new Government to implement all Brussels agreements (RTV)

The U.S. ambassador to Serbia, Kyle Scott, said on June 27 that his country expected Kosovo's new Government to fully implement all the agreements signed in Brussels, adding that it expected the same from Belgrade.

"I don't know who the next Kosovo Prime Minister will be, but whoever he is, the U.S. expects him to implement fully everything that has been undertaken in the dialogue, and we expect the Serbian party to do the same," Scott said in a televised interview with Radio Television of Vojvodina. Commenting on Kosovo's candidates for Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj and Albin Kurti's opposition to the talks with Belgrade, and the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, Scott said he was the U.S. ambassador in Belgrade, and that it was the job of his peer in Pristina to analyze goings on in Kosovo. Ambassador Scott dismissed the allegation by Serbian politicians that Kosovo was doing what the U.S. told the country to do, adding that Kosovo was an independent nation.

The U.S. diplomat said that his Kosovo counterpart, Greg Delawie, was in contact with Kosovo leaders, and that the U.S. supported the continuation of the dialogue and the processes that would lead to the normalization of relations. The ambassador said that the U.S. would support Ana Brnabic as the next Prime Minister of Serbia, describing her as "a good and wise choice" for the presidency. Scott explained that he had never discussed ministerial nominations with her, including the appointment of Aleksandar Vulin as Defence Minister.

 

Dacic: No one contacted me to discuss Vulin's appointment, not aware of pressures (Beta)

Serbia's acting Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, that he had been under no pressure to keep Aleksandar Vulin from being appointed as new Defence Minister, and that he wasn't aware of any such pressures elsewhere.

"I honestly don't know if something like that happened, but I can say that no one has discussed it with me," Dacic said to reporters in the Serbian government building, after a meeting with his Belgian counterpart, Didier Reynders. Dacic explained that even if such pressures existed, he didn't expect them "to have any effect at all."

"U.S. Ambassador Scott approached me yesterday after a Regional Housing Program (RHP) conference, and he didn't say a word about Vulin. He complained about one of my staff at the ministry, but it had nothing to do with politics, but rather some incidents," Dacic said.

The PM-designate, Ana Brnabic, sent to Parliament a list of her nominees for Serbia's new cabinet on June 27, nominating Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy Aleksandar Vulin for the post of Defence Minister. On the same day, the Vecernje Novosti daily published an article, Vucic under U.S. Pressure: Vulin to be kept away from leading post in the Defence Sector, sharing the paper's findings that Washington had been given a say in the new cabinet makeup.

Scott said to RTV that election of the minister of defense was Serbia’s internal matter and it would be inappropriate if he would discuss this with the country’s officials. He said he cooperated well with the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs headed by Vulin on mitigation of consequences of the migrant crisis. Therefore, he has no reason to expect something would change when Vulin is appointed the minister of defense, Scott said.

 

Moscow wants to sell new MC-21 planes out of Serbia (Vecernje Novosti)

Russia is interested in opening "an economic zone" in Belgrade, which would incorporate a center for the sale of its new passenger planes MC-21s. The idea, according to sources, was disclosed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry Rogozin during his recent meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. They discussed the delivery of six MIG-29 warplanes along with "tanks, transport planes and combat vehicles" from Russia to the Serbian Army - "but the guest from Moscow took the opportunity to also affirm this tempting idea."

The Belgrade newspaper said it learned this should be the topic of a meeting of the intergovernmental commission that the two countries have in place. Specifically, the aforementioned economic zone, if it comes to life, would be attractive to investors and industrialists from the West who - due to Western sanctions against Russia - are currently unable to directly trade with the Russians. Serbia, as a bridge of sorts between the East and the West, would have its own interest in this.

According to the report, Rogozin is convinced that the realization of the economic zone idea would consolidate not only the strategic but also economic relations between Russia and Serbia.

The Russian official "hopes that after the formation of the Serbian government several new contracts will be concluded that directly concern trade exchange," Vecernje Novosti writes, quoting him as saying that he was satisfied with the fact that Serbian agricultural products export to Russia grew by 21 percent.

 

Serbia to let foreigners own 49% stake in defense companies (B92)

The Ministry of Defense has drafted legal changes that will allow foreign companies to own a stake of up to 49 percent in Serbia's defense industry companies, this has been announced by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Speaking at the opening of the Partner 2017 weapons and military equipment fair in Belgrade, Vucic said that this would enable the arrival of foreign know-how and money, and ensure that the defense industry of Serbia becomes the main engine of development of the economy and significantly participate in GDP growth. He said that this will be "an important step forward" and that the government of Serbia has for this reason invested 126 million euros from 2014 to 2016 in improving defense industry's existing capacities, and also in building new factories and facilities. Speaking about the fair, Vucic said it was "a prestigious event that is gathering more and more foreign exhibitors and can now be held each year, instead of once in two years."

"This is an opportunity for significant business partnerships, important business contacts and the promotion of not only ours but also the economies of other countries. Today, the defense industry serves not only to help defend its country, but also as a way and means for improving the economy and achieving a better standard of living for all citizens," Vucic said.

The President announced that the new missile system Sumadija, with a range of 285 kilometers, will be presented at the fair, along with a new version of the Nora howitzer and numerous other systems.

 

NATO chief on partnership with Serbia; its ties with Russia (B92)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the decisions on military exercises with Russia and the status of the Humanitarian Center in Nis were up to Serbia. Stoltenberg told Serbian journalists on Wednesday that it was "up to Serbia to decide" and that NATO "respects its neutrality."

"It is important that each country chooses its own way, we respect when countries want to become members, but also your decision not to be a part of the alliance, because you are a sovereign state," Stoltenberg said. According to him, NATO appreciates its partnership with Serbia, while he personally is looking forward to continuing cooperation also with incoming Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

Speaking about Serbia's decision to conduct joint military exercises with Russia, Stoltenberg said that the organization he heads "respects the decisions that Serbia makes."

"When I was Prime Minister of Norway, we had ties with Russia, although we had been a NATO member since 1949, we held exercises. I do not think that Russia should be isolated," said Stoltenberg.

In the conversation with Serbian reporters today, the Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center (RSHC) in Serbia's southern town of Nis featured as one of the topics. Asked whether the granting of diplomatic status to Russian humanitarian workers there was "a red line," he replied:

"Again, Serbia decides on whom it will give this status. What's important to me is that I am looking forward to Serbia hosting a civil emergency situations exercise with NATO next year. That's something we often organize with partner countries."

Stoltenberg also spoke about NATO's 1999 bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro). He said that he was "not in NATO at that time" and therefore "cannot talk about depleted uranium and ammunitions used" - but said that NATO was "now in Kosovo to help stabilize and avoid violence." Stoltenberg also said that NATO is "aware of tensions in the Balkans, and that violence and war could occur there."

"This must be prevented in the future, and therefore we welcome partnership with your country, while membership of surrounding countries is important to us in order to avoid unpleasant situations from the past," Stoltenberg said.

 

Vucic and Dacic meets with Belgium’s Deputy PM (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in Belgrade, on June 27, with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and Serbia's accession to the European Union. President Vucic hopes that more companies from Belgium might be interested in investing in Serbia, especially the country's infrastructure, agriculture and energy sector, the Press Office of the Serbian President reported.

Vucic presented to his guest a plan to create a regional economic zone in the Western Balkans, expected to improve the standard of living in all the states of the region participating in the new trade union.

The Serbian president thanked the Belgian foreign minister for his visit, the first by a senior official of the country since 2013, and for Belgium's active support to Serbia's EU integration. Reynders congratulated Vucic on taking over the Serbian presidency, underlining that his country was always ready to support Serbia in the EU integration process.

On the same day, the Belgian deputy PM also met with Serbia's acting Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, and the minister in charge of the country's EU accession, Jadranka Joksimovic. Reynders had a brief conversation with the Serbian PM-designate, Ana Brnabic, and met with representatives of the civil society, too.

Belgian and Serbian foreign ministers Didier Reynders and Ivica Dacic said after a meeting in Belgrade that Belgium would continue to support Serbia in implementing reforms on its road to the EU, not just for Serbia to join the EU, but because the citizens of Serbia needed the process.

Dacic said that "Belgium wholeheartedly supports Serbia on its road to the EU and regularly gives its consent for opening negotiating chapters." He added that Serbia would continue reforms primarily because that was in its interest. Reynders and Dacic said that relations between Belgium and Serbia were very good. The Belgian Minister pointed out the importance of regional cooperation through the Berlin Process.

 

Jeremic for Opposition’s joint electoral ticket in Belgrade’s Election (N1)

Ex- foreign minister of Serbia and former chairman of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic said on Tuesday that the party he would form in autumn would be the centrist party.

“What I will nominate is that it will be the party of political center, which will make effort to have some divisions and gaps in the society overcome”, Jeremic said to TV N1. Jeremic, the unsuccessful candidate at the presidential election in April, in which he won less than six percent of votes, has been leading in the past years the think-tank Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD). Jeremic said his priority would be the overcoming of differences between the opposition parties.

“I talked to Sasa Jankovic, Sasa Radulovic and others… all those who could be targeted by the regime, and these include more or less everyone in the opposition, they are all in favor of achieving the fair election conditions, I don’t see the reason why we would disagree. The Belgrade election is coming, and this includes topics in which no big differences exist”, he said. Jeremic said that an ideal solution would be if the opposition appeared in the Belgrade election with the united ticket, and he said that everyone should pledge, as a precondition for cooperation, they would not make a coalition with the parties in power after the election. The Belgrade election will be scheduled in spring next year at the latest.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Dodik: Whoever contributed to crime in Srebrenica should be held liable before justice (TV1)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik commented on Tuesday’s ruling of Dutch Court of Appeals that found Netherlands partly liable for the deaths of 350 killed Bosniaks in Srebrenica. In this regard, Dodik said that whoever contributed to “crime in Srebrenica” in 1995 should be held liable before justice. “The Dutch battalion was there and a huge crime happened in Srebrenica”, Dodik noted and added that it on Dutch judiciary to determine if Netherlands contributed to that.

“A big crime happened in Srebrenica and all those who contributed to committing the crime should be held accountable before judiciary. This is a practice that should not be abandoned as long as any participant is alive. It is a matter of Dutch judiciary, if they think that they contributed to this”.

 

RS President Dodik, B&H Presidency Chairman Ivanic discuss EU path with EEAS Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Belliard (RTRS)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik held a meeting with Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs – Political Director for the European External Action Service (EEAS) Jean-Christophe Belliard in Banja Luka on Tuesday. On this occasion, Dodik stressed that the RS supports the country’s path towards the EU, adding that it has successfully completed all tasks on this path. He underlined that the RS is satisfied over the fact that the Coordination Mechanism was adopted in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Dodik added that the RS Government has also been active in terms of implementation of all reform tasks set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Chairman of the B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic, who also held a meeting with Belliard, agreed that there is no alternative to the country’s path towards the EU. The two officials concluded that joint engagement is required in order to implement the necessary reforms in the EU integration process.

 

B&H CC to discuss Bosniak veto on HDZ B&H’s proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H on July 6 (N1)

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Constitutional Court (CC) is expected to discuss the Bosniak veto on HDZ B&H’s proposal of amendments to the Election Law of B&H, at a plenary session which is due to take place in Sarajevo on July 6. The B&H CC’s decision on this matter is likely to be followed by a number of new proposals of amendments to the Election Law of B&H. Among other issues, SDA is finalizing a proposal that will be presented shortly.

In a statement to N1, SDA MP in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sefik Dzaferovic said: “We think that constitutional reform of the B&H Presidency and the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) could only be carried out through the process of implementation of decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases ‘Sejdic-Finci vs. B&H’, ‘Zornic vs. B&H’ and ‘Pilav vs. B&H’”. Therefore, Dzaferovic concluded that it is necessary to amend the Constitution of B&H, to eliminate ethnic-related provisions regarding the B&H Presidency and to make it possible for all citizens to run for the B&H Presidency.

Commenting on the lack of harmonized solutions to this issue, Croat member of the B&H Presidency Dragan Covic assessed that the Election Law of B&H will be amended for sure, whether in accordance with their own proposal or some other, corrected version. “The point is that before we reach the election year of 2018, we have to adopt amendments to the Election Law of B&H that would prevent one people from electing the representatives of other people either in the Presidency or in the HoPs”, Covic stressed.

According to Chairman of the B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic, it is necessary to make some efforts to look for a compromise with regard to this issue, instead of finding excuses and causing additional problems.

Former member of the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) Vehid Sehic warned that the failure to implement the B&H CC’s decision on the issue of Mostar is a drastic form of violation of human rights, as well as a criminal offense. He reminded that members of the B&H CEC are also entitled to propose amendments to the Election Law of B&H, but they just do not seem to be doing that.

 

Dodik: RS counts on potentials in defense industry of Serbia (RTRS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic solemnly opened an international fair of armament and military equipment entitled ‘Partner 2017’, which commenced in Belgrade on Tuesday. As many as 128 exhibitors from more than 20 countries have an opportunity to present the latest achievements in defense industry. Addressing the exhibitors, Vucic said that the fair is a good opportunity to present the capacities of defense industry of Serbia, as well as to make new contacts and partnerships. Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik, who attended the opening ceremony among other exhibitors from the RS, found it very important that the power and political importance of Serbia are strengthened through achievements in defense industry. He assessed that it was quite impressive to actually see the achievements in defense industry of this country. “Serbia, which is a guarantor of regional stability, is showing that its industry could secure a stable defense system in any situation”, Dodik was quoted as saying. He noted that the RS certainly counts on the potentials of defense industry in Serbia, adding that they have already discussed the modernization of police structures of the RS in this context. Exhibitors from the RS assessed that their presence at this fair indicates a progress in development of defense industry in the RS.

 

Minister Pendes to lead MoD/AF delegation at ministerial meeting in Brussels (FENA)

Statement issued by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) announces that Minister of Defense of B&H Marina Pendes will lead a delegation of the MoD and the Armed Forces (AF) of B&H at a NATO ministerial meeting within format “Resolute Support”, which will take place at the NATO HQ in Brussels on June 29. The meeting will be attended by Defense Ministers of NATO member countries and partner countries, which take part in peace support mission in Afghanistan.

 

Croatia

 

Slovenia threatening lawsuit against Croatia over border arbitration (Index.hr)

Tensions in Slovenia are rising ahead of the announcement of the decision by the arbitrators in The Hague, which will take place on Thursday. The arbitrators will announce their decision in the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia, although Croatia left the arbitration proceedings two years ago and said it would not accept the findings, reports Index.hr on June 28, 2017.

The highest Slovenian officials have described the verdict as a historic and crucial day for Slovenia. They expect that arbitration will give Slovenia contact with international waters.

“The announcement of the arbitration decision will be the third pivotal moment in the life of our young country, the first being when Slovenia became independent 26 years ago, and second when it entered the EU and NATO in 2004. The third milestone will occur tomorrow when our final frontier with Croatia is determined,” said Milan Brglez, Speaker of Slovenian Parliament. “I urge our citizens not to believe possible spins and false news that will spread,” said Brglez, warning that they should only trust the official announcements of the arbitral tribunal, the Slovenian government and the Parliament.

 

Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar said recently that the verdict would be “a historic event” for both countries in the dispute, but also “D-Day” for Slovenia. He will attend a special session of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee tomorrow, together with all other political and party leaders.

For days now, public broadcasters and media close to the government have been publishing and broadcasting features and articles which show that Slovenia is right in the dispute and that the decision made by the arbitrators will be fair.

 

Former Transport Minister Marko Pavliha said that Slovenia could file a lawsuit against Croatia if it refuses to accept the decision. He told Slovenian Radio that he did not expect incidents with the implementation of the decision, saying that in the first days following the verdict Slovenia must act in a restrained manner, using diplomatic means. But, if Croatia continues to reject any idea of ​​accepting the decision, then Slovenia would have to think about filing a lawsuit against Croatia before the European Union Court in Luxembourg, says Pavliha.

 

Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec will attend the announcement of the verdict in The Hague as a representative of the Slovenian government. He is personally very interested in the decision since the opposition failed to force him to resign two years ago when secret recordings of his diplomat Simona Drenik and Slovenian arbitrator Jernej Sekolec were published. They discussed, among other things, the strategy of how to influence the judges and how to illegally add documents to the court file. These recordings were the reason why Croatia left the arbitration proceedings.

The opposition said two years ago that Erjavec was responsible for the scandal and for endangering the arbitration process. Also, the media have accused him of giving too optimistic statements during the arbitration process and sending wrong signals to the public.

Among ordinary Slovenian citizens, there is not much excitement about “the historic day”, perhaps because many people are on holidays which many of them are spending in Croatia, just like in previous years.

 

Montenegro

 

Markovic: Everyone but irresponsible opposition recognized the elections (CDM)

Prime Minister Dusko Markovic said that opposition’s policy of boycotting the Parliament of Montenegro was irresponsible. Opposition does not recognize the elections which have been recognized by all relevant international entities. When addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Tuesday, on the tenth anniversary of Montenegro’s membership in this European organization, Markovic assessed that Parliament was the only place for a political debate.

“I regret to note that our national delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly lacks representatives of the parliamentary opposition. In addition to this assembly and the European Parliament, the opposition is boycotting the national parliament, as well. The election result of October 2016, the legitimacy of which has been recognized by this Parliamentary Assembly in accordance with its competencies, the OSCE-ODIHR, the European Union and the entire international community, was not accepted only by the Montenegrin opposition. It has resulted in their boycott of the national parliament, despite numerous calls to return to parliament, the only place for an essential political debate. Such behavior is irresponsible and shows that we have not learned lessons from the past,” Markovic said in response to journalists’ questions when addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The Prime Minister said that the boycott created a crisis of parliamentarism.

“At a turning point for Europe, which faces the challenges of populism, migration, terrorism, religious radicalization, financial crisis, and many others – the boycott of national parliament, or this assembly, or European Parliament means creating a crisis of parliamentarism, endangering democracy, weakening the role of parliamentary diplomacy and eroding values all European societies are based on,” Markovic said. According to him, opposition’s behavior further polarizes the society, including polarizing and politicizing the media scene. Speaking about the media, the PM recalled that Montenegro decriminalized defamation, supported media freedom and that he personally believes that media self-regulation would become a reality in our country sooner or later.

“Raising awareness of decision-makers about the citizens’ right and the need to know and be informed must go along with the professionalization of the media scene and the development of its pluralism… Also, I believe that the idea of ​​self-regulation of the media, which is the basic prerequisite for their professionalization must become a Montenegrin reality sooner or later. The government of Montenegro supports the work of the Council of Europe in the part of the policies related to the promotion of media freedom by supporting the platform for protecting security of journalists and journalism. We are committed to cooperation even when we disagree, being aware that we are ultimately closer to the needs of citizens, when the control mechanisms are stronger,” said Markovic.

 

fYROM

Cooperation and a consensus is needed, Hahn tells the leaders of Albanian parties (Meta)

The integration processes, the cooperation between the parties and the necessity of a consensus on the reform processes were the focus of the meetings between the leaders of the Albanian parliamentary parties – Ali Ahmeti (DUI), Bilal Kasami (Besa), Menduh Thaci (DPA) and Zijadin Sela (Albanian Alliance) and EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.

DUI leader Ali Ahmeti considered the meeting with Hahn as very important and emphasized that he assured the EU Commissioner that DUI stands firm behind all the agreements that the party has achieved and signed.

“I assured Hahn that DUI will uphold all the agreements it has reached for the coalition and that we will take all the steps necessary to get closer to the realization of all the issues that bring us closer to the European Union”, said Ahmeti.

Members of Hahn’s team stated Hahn and DPA leader Menduh Thaci had a good meeting, where they discussed the challenges ahead in order to achieve progress on the road to the European Union. Thaci did not make a statement after his meeting with Hahn and announced that he would inform the public about it through a statement.

At the meeting with Kasami, they discussed inter-party cooperation, the reform process, the need for a national consensus and the role of the opposition. Besa’s leader assessed the meeting with Hahn as good, adding that they hope that this government will be truly reformed, although “the steps so far do not confirm this commitment. We gave our remarks that we would like this government to be truly pro reforms and the Besa Movement will support further processes for Macedonia to return to its Euro-integration path”, said Kasami.

Last on Hahn’s agenda was the meeting with the leader of the Albanian Alliance, Zijadin Sela. Hahn described the meetings with the political leaders as valuable, adding that with all the interlocutors he stressed the need for constructive cooperation and national consensus on reforms in the interest of the citizens.

 

Nimetz will arrive on a two-day visit to Macedonia to meet with top state officials (Meta)

The UN’s Special Representative and Mediator in the negotiations for the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece, Matthew Nimetz, will arrive on a two-day visit to Macedonia. During his visit to Skopje, NImetz will have meetings during which he will be introduced to the opinions of the new government regarding the name dispute. The main focus shall be the process and how to continue the negotiations for solving the dispute.

This is Nimetz’s first visit to the region since July 2014 when he announced that he expects advancement in the negotiations. A while ago, he gave a statement for Greek media outlet that the solution to the name dispute should be placed higher on the agenda of the new Macedonian government.

 

Albania

 

SP wins general elections with 74 seats in 140-seat Parliament (ATA)

The process of vote count has finished in 99.01 % of all polling stations countrywide. According to recent updates released by CEC, at 13.55 hrs the process of vote count has finished in 5 309 polling stations out of 5 362 in total. Currently, the vote count is going on in Durrës, Kukës, Berat, Elbasan Gjirokastër and Tirana. The number of registered voters on the lists is 3.452.324. The total number of polling stations was 5.362. The number/percentage of voting centers that have presented information is 5.309 / 99, 01% The total number of voters who have cast their ballot in the centers that have presented information is 1.597.965. The number of females who have voted in the centers that have referred the information is 714.599. The valid ballot papers are estimated at 1.566.475. Invalid ballot papers are estimated at 31.479. Electors in processed VC (voting centers) is 3 436 616. Voter turnout in the voting centers that have presented information is 46, 79 %. The number of votes divided according to electoral subjects is as following: 1. Socialist Party 757.088 votes or 48,33 % of the overall number of valid votes, translated in 74 seats;

2. Democratic Party 451.837 votes or 28, 84 %, 43 seats;

3. Socialist Movement for Integration 223.453 votes or 14, 26 %, 19 seats;

4. Party for Justice, Integration and Unity 75.202 votes or 4.80%, 3 seats;

5. Social Democrat Party 14.613 votes or 0, 95 %, 1 seat.

 

It’s a victory for Albania, SP to govern alone- says PM Rama (ATA)

The governing Socialist Party (SP) held the victory celebration of June general elections after winning 74 seats in the 140-seat Parliament. Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed his supporters saying that the citizens voted for the future saying with their vote that Albania stands above the left-wing and the right-wing; that the state does not belong to power-holders, but to the citizens. The people chose the Socialist Party to lead the country alone.

“There is no Socialist or Democratic challenge, but Albanian challenge. I say, the victory belongs to Albania and the merit goes to the common people, while the great burden of responsibility to their elected people. They want to test how well we can be if we are in the driving seat alone”, said PM Rama.

Further on, the Socialist leader said that, “Instead of a routine coalition among the parties to share benefits, the Albanians have chosen us to throw away that practice for good”. The prime minister emphasized that, “We should not see our opponents as enemies and treat them as such. We should have a joint Albanian endeavor to make a better Albania”.

The Prime Minister said, “We didn’t win a championship, but took over a hard job. The next four years should not be another game of finding someone to blame, but an Albanian effort on what should be done so that to make a better Albania. It’s high time to put ourselves in the service of the people; it’s time to raise the national flag above the flag of every political party. It’s time to work together. The future we want can be achieved through our cooperation”.

PM Rama highlighted even the pre-election deal with the Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha and thanked him for “putting the interests of Albania above the party interests”. “We believe that the agreement carries the opposition and government are united for the interests of the country on its journey toward Europe”.

 

Foreign Officials congratulate Rama on victory of the Parliamentary elections (ATA)

Italy’s Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni congratulated Prime Minister Edi Rama on victory of the Parliamentary elections of June 25 and the future governance. In his letter of congratulations, Gentiloni writes that this is a victory for all Albania. Italian PM Gentiloni writes that, “This is a deserved victory for Albania. Socialist Party gives a special example, my congratulations to all Albanians”.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Prime Minister Edi Rama on his victory. “Congratulations for the spectacular win. This victory strengthens our relations,” Erdogan said in a message of congratulations to PM Rama. Erdogan emphasizes that “Albania and Turkey are strategic partners.” Turkish President has also sent his Eid al-Fitr greetings to all Albanians.

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Rama on victory. The Chancellor said in her letter of congratulations that this is a deserved praise and that she is looking forward to meet PM Rama after some days in Trieste. PM Rama is scheduled to attend 2017 Western Balkans Summit in Trieste in the context of the Berlin Process initiative for European integration of Western Balkans states.

The European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Albania, Knut Fleckenstein, has congratulated Albanian citizens on the smooth and peaceful conduct of parliamentary polls in the country. EP Rapporteur Fleckenstein also expresses hope that after parliamentary elections Albania can open accession talks with the European Union soon. “Congratulations. Albanian citizens are the winners of these peaceful elections. Hope accession negotiations start soon” wrote Fleckenstein.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, and the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said in a joint statement that the two are looking forward “on continuing our partnership with Albania to promote regional cooperation and good neighborly relations” and they expressed readiness “to engage with the new government to support the reform process and proceed on the EU integration process. The continuation of the justice reform and the fight against drug trafficking and cultivation will be of particular importance in this respect.”

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

Serbia Prime Minister-Designate to Head Pro-Russia Government (Associated Press)

Ana Brnabic will serve as Serbia’s Prime Minister, but it is widely expected that President Aleksandar Vucic, who nominated Brnabic, will retain power.

Serbia’s future Prime Minister on Tuesday proposed a staunchly pro-Russia official as the defense minister, dampening hopes in the West that her nomination signaled a shift away from Moscow’s influence. State TV said Prime Minister-designate Ana Brnabic, who would be conservative Serbia’s first female and first openly gay government leader, proposed a list of Cabinet ministers for adoption by parliament. It included Aleksandar Vulin, a former labor minister, to head the Defense Ministry.

As a government minister, Vulin has called NATO — which bombed Serbia in 1999 over its crackdown against ethnic Albanian separatists — an “evil” organization and has taken part in numerous verbal outbursts against Western and officials from neighboring Kosovo, Croatia and Bosnia which has fueled ethnic tensions in the war-torn Balkans.

Brnabic’s list also includes several other openly pro-Russian and anti-Western ministers, including Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic.

Brnabic is expected to take office this week after a vote in parliament, which is considered a formality. When Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic earlier this month nominated the U.S.- and U.K.-educated Brnabic to succeed him as prime minister, it was seen as his attempt to calm Western concerns that Serbia was getting too close to Russia despite its proclaimed goal of joining the European Union. It was always clear that by nominating Brnabic, who gained no real political experience as local administration minister in Vucic’s government, the autocratic leader would retain power from his presidential position, which is formally ceremonial.

“If it’s true that Vulin will be the Defense Minister, whose decision is that?” Vuk Jeremic, a former Foreign Minister who was a candidate in the April presidential election, told N1 television. “If this is her choice of people, that is not an encouraging start.”

Serbia, along with Bosnian Serbs, remains the only real Russian ally in the Balkans. The Kremlin has promised to boost Serbia’s military and has launched a major propaganda campaign to keep it away from Euro-Atlantic integrations. Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin told the state Sputnik news agency that Serbia’s EU bid is destined to fail.

“They have a scandal over there. The English are leaving, while they are convincing you to join the EU. They don’t like it, but they want you to like it,” he said in Belgrade.

 

Serbia and Russia preparing deal on opening helicopter maintenance center (Sputnik)

Serbia's Acting Assistant Minister for Material Resources Nenad Miloradovic said that Moscow and Belgrade are preparing to sign an agreement on maintenance of helicopters from the other countries at facilities located in Serbia.

Moscow and Belgrade are preparing to sign an agreement on maintenance of helicopters from the other countries at facilities located in Serbia, Serbia's Acting Assistant Minister for Material Resources Nenad Miloradovic told Sputnik on Tuesday.

"We are on the eve of signing a treaty between Russian and Serbian companies on repairing helicopters from other countries. This agreement is about our joint project, a center in Serbia that would focus on maintenance of Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters," Miloradovic said during the Partner 2017 international fair of armaments and defense equipment held in Belgrade.

The creation of the center responsible for maintenance of helicopters was on the agenda of the talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic during the latter's visit to Russia in March. The international fair Partner 2017 kicked off in the Serbian capital earlier in the day and would continue until Friday. The event is held biennially under the auspices of the Serbian Defense Ministry.

 

Bosnian Serbs plan Russian Memorial in Srebrenica (BIRN)

A Bosnian Serb organization sparked anger by announcing it will install a memorial in Srebrenica to the former Russian ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, who vetoed a Srebrenica genocide resolution.

The Bosnian Serb-run Eastern Alternative association said it will install a memorial to Vitaly Churkin on July 8 in the town park in Srebrenica in gratitude for his blocking of the UN Security Council resolution on Srebrenica two years ago. Vojin Pavlovic, the president of Eastern Alternative, told BIRN that the memorial had already been prepared, and that under Churkin’s name, it would say in Russian: “Thank you for the Russian NO.”

“This is our modest sign of gratitude to Russia for principled politics, support for the truth about the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the protection of [Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity] Republika Srpska, as well as for the brave Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who vetoed the embarrassing resolution,” Pavlovic said.

Churkin, who died in February, was the Russian envoy in the peace negotiations during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1994. In 2015, he vetoed a British-drafted Security Council resolution that would have condemned the Srebrenica massacres as genocide. The resolution was intended to mark the 20th anniversary of the killing of some 8,000 Bosniak men and boys by Republika Srpska’s forces. China, Nigeria, Angola, and Venezuela abstained and the remaining 10 members of the Security Council voted in favor. Churkin said the resolution was “not constructive, confrontational and politically motivated”. It is not yet known whether Eastern Alternative can legally install the monument, however.

Pavlovic said that a request was filed to the local authorities in February, but no permission has been granted yet, although he added that Eastern Alternative interprets the silence of the Srebrenica administration as a sign of approval. The unveiling of the memorial is scheduled to take place just three days before July 11, the 22nd anniversary of the Srebrenica massacres. It has been widely condemned by associations representing the families of the victims as an attempted provocation.

“They do something each year on the 11th of July. I do not know what else they can invent in order to provoke [post-war] returnees and survivors of genocide,” Hajra Catic, the president of the Women of Srebrenica association, told BIRN.

Munira Subasic, the president of the Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa association, said that she would not be surprised if monuments to war criminals were installed in Srebrenica.

“They are proud of what they did in Srebrenica, they never repented,” Subasic told Bosnian media.

The UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague ruled in 2004, in the case against Radislav Krstic, a former general of the Bosnian Serb Army, that the Srebrenica massacres were genocide. The ruling was also upheld by the International Court of Justice in 2007.