LOCAL PRESS

 

More EU chapters could be opened this year (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn met in Belgrade on Friday. They agreed that more chapters in Serbia's EU accession talks could be opened by the end of the year, but that "quality was more important than speed," Beta is reporting.

"Progress has been made in the already opened chapters, especially chapters 23 and 24 (rule of law) and I am confident that additional chapters could be opened by the end of the year. The closing of the chapters is a different story," Hahn told a press conference after the meeting.

Asked to comment on the assessment of European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker that Serbia could join the EU in 2025, Hahn said that this would mean that accession negotiations should be completed by 2023, because the period between the two steps is generally around two years.  He said that "after the opening of the first chapter there was an investment boom" and that companies "started to rush to Serbia," adding that Serbia "has made good progress - but quality is more important than speed. Every year we provide 200 million grants and we see this as an investment into the country's development, but also in improvement of the situation in the region," the EU official said.

Brnabic said that "Serbia is not discouraged by the assessment that it could join the EU only in 2025 because, as EU integration is primarily important for the citizens of Serbia and for the economy. It would be great to know the date of entry, but it is less important than honestly and substantially implementing the reforms. There are three pillars to the EU: economic strengthening, public administration reform and the rule of law for the same of a more effective judiciary," said Brnabic. She pointed out that joining the EU is a strategic goal and one of Serbia's most important priorities.  The Prime Minister also announced that she would go on her first official visit to Brussels on October 10 and 11, when she will discuss with EU officials the further steps on the path of European integration.  Brnabic said that Serbia remains open and committed to dialogue with Kosovo, and that it is good that, with the support of the EU, the dialogue has been brought to the level of presidents, "because it allows for a faster and more efficient dialogue."

Hahn welcomed the initiative of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to have the internal dialogue on Kosovo. Hahn said that this initiative shows "leadership and statesmanship of the President of Serbia".

Asked to comment on the this week's arrest in Kosovo of Serbian Red Cross workers - and why the EU was not reacting - Hahn replied that "precisely this depends on the dialogue, and it is sometimes more effective to solve the problems though 'quiet diplomacy'."

When asked by the journalist about the allegations of the Croatian Security Intelligence Agency (SOA) that there was a threat to the security of citizens in Europe, but also "extremism in the southeastern neighborhood," Hahn said that he was "not aware of the figures," but that this is a problem.

"Foreign ministers of EU countries have spoken with colleagues from the candidate countries about cooperation. There are access funds designed to address these issues. Security is not only a matter of the EU and the region, it is a wider issue," the EU commissioner said. He added that this is "not something that will disappear in the coming years."

The Serbian Prime Minister said that this was "an indicator that the Western Balkans is important."

 

Vulin: KFOR to be sole armed force in Kosovo (Beta)

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Sept. 16 that the Kosovo Force (KFOR) was the only armed force that could exist in the territory of Kosovo, adding that no other could be deployed there "until U.N. resolution 1244, the United Nations and the Serbs were abolished" in Kosovo and Metohija.

Commenting on Kosovo President Hashim Thaci's statement that Pristina would establish its own army by the end of the year, Minister Vulin said that when the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, signed the Brussels Agreement as the Serbian Prime Minister, "the NATO secretary-general gave him a verbal guarantee that no armed force would cross the Ibar River or move to the north of the river without the consent of the heads of Serbian municipalities."

President Thaci had said previously that the Armed Force of Kosovo would be in place by the end of the year, in partnership with the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union.

 

SPC Patriarch: I believe that Vucic thinks about Kosovo the same as the people and SPC (Vecernje Novosti)

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Irinej, said that he believes that on the matter of Kosovo, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic thinks the same as the Serbian people and the SPC. He said that he is confident that Russia will help Serbia preserve everything that has always been Serbian.

His comment for Vecernje Novosti was in response to the question about his views about the internal dialogue on the resolving of the Kosovo issue. Patriarch Irinej said that Serbia’s problem is that the Serbian people who fled did not return to Kosovo. “The first solution and greatest task if to return as many people as possible, who have been exiled from Kosovo,” he said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister asks SPC not to pressure Vucic (Blic)

Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic stated that she expects the SPC to be a partner during the internal dialogue about Kosovo, as well as that it will not pressure Vucic before the beginning of the talks. She said that she expects that the new phase of the internal dialogue about Kosovo, during which Vucic will talk to all the most significant institutions and individuals, will lead to a new policy, said the statement issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s cabinet.

Mihajlovic said that all past policies have led to Kosovo growing increasingly distant from Serbia, and that Serbia needs a new policy, aimed at providing a better life for Serbs in Kosovo, the protection of cultural and religious heritage, preserving economic inserts, and reconciliation with the Albanian people.

 

McAllister: Serbia's EU accession depends on relations with Kosovo (Kurir)

EP rapporteur for Serbia David McAllister says negotiations on Serbia's EU accession EU require "constant movement towards better relations with Kosovo". He told the Belgrade-based daily Kurir that "this process should gradually lead to the normalization of relations between the two sides, with both being able to exercise their rights and fulfill their responsibilities."

"The normalization of relations should benefit the citizens of Serbia and Kosovo and is essential for preserving peace and stability in the region," McAllister said, and welcomed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's initiative to launch a domestic dialogue about this issue.  The European Parliament (EP) official from Germany also remarked that that the EU will push neither Belgrade nor Pristina toward taking the initiative, and emphasized that "a sustainable normalization of relations will never be achieved by force, but only by consent of both sides."

When it comes to opening new chapters in Serbia's accession negotiations, McAllister said he believes that, "with all energy directed towards the adoption and implementation of reforms," more chapters "could be opened this year." He noted that EU member states "have made it clear that sustainable progress is needed in the basics, especially in Chapters 23 and 24."

Asked whether "Serbia will have to change its position towards Moscow by joining the EU," he said that according to Chapter 31, Serbia should progressively align its foreign and security policy with that of the EU.

McAllister also touched on "the state of the media in Serbia" to say that threats, violence and intimidation of journalists continue to be an issue of concern.

Asked about "how he assesses the activities of the opposition in Serbia and whether he has some advice for them" the EP official said he "does not believe that opposition leaders need his advice" and concluded that "a strong opposition is essential to any democracy."

 

Vucic, Scott Discuss situation in the region (VIP)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the US Ambassador Kyle Scott discussed the situation in the region on Friday and they also mentioned the dialogue about Kosovo, Vucic’s service for cooperation with the media announced.

The announcement also stated that at the eve of Vucic’s visit to New York for participation in the general debate of 72^nd session of General Assembly of United Nations, they discussed bilateral relations between Serbia and USA, as well as regional and other international issues.

Ambassador Scott welcomed invitation of President Vucic for internal dialogue about Kosovo and stated that USA encouraged all sides to think purposefully and work on overall solution for relations between Belgrade and Pristina, the announcement stated.

They emphasized the significance of continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with mediation of European Union, as well as implementation of the Brussels Agreement. They also discussed Serbia’s European way and American support to reform efforts, including stronger rule of law.

Vucic said on Sunday that he would use the time spent in New York to represent Serbia in the best possible way in order to attract as many investors as possible and emphasized that he would “almost certainly meet with the US President Donald Trump”.

Vucic said that he would also meet in New York with French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as officials from Norway, Belgium and Russia.

 

Aleksandar Vucic is traveling to New York on Monday, where he will stay until September 23 (Tanjug)

The Serbian President will have a series of meetings, and participate in the UN General Assembly. Vucic will attend the Sustainable Development Summit of the World Economic Forum and is also expects to meet with Philipp Rosler, a member of the organization's Executive Board.  The following day, Tuesday, before the opening of the general debate in the UN General Assembly, Vucic will attend a reception organized by UN chief Antonio Guterres.  On the same day, Vucic will have a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and attend a reception hosted by European Council President Donald Tusk, First Vice-President of the European Commission Frank Timmermans and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

On the margins of the General Assembly, Vucic will meet with Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and will also have a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi.  President Vucic will also attend a high-level high-level event organized by French President Emanuel Macron - a presentation of the Global Pact on Environmental Protection.

On Tuesday night, Vucic will attend a reception hosted by US President Donald Tramp.  He will take part on Wednesday in Bloomberg's Global Business Forum, that will be addressed by US politician and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg. After that, Vucic will meet with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and in the evening attend dinner hosted by Mogherini for the heads of Western Balkan delegations.  On Thursday, the president will address the UN General Assembly.

Tanjug said in learned unofficially that Vucic will the same day meet with with the chairman of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak, as well as the Prime Minister of Belgium, and the US first deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. On the last day of his stay in New York on Friday, Vucic will hold a bilateral meeting with Guterres.

 

Dacic to attend meeting on UN reform chaired by Trump (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will lead Serbia's delegation at the general debate of the 72nd Regular Session of the United Nations (U.N.) General Assembly from Sept. 19 to Sept. 25, and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will attend a Sept. 18 meeting on reforming the U.N., chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Serbian foreign minister will also attend a Sept. 20 working breakfast with Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, which the Regional Cooperation Council has organized for the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans.

On the same day, Minister Dacic will attend a ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, and an open debate by the U.N. Security Council on the reform of peacekeeping operations.

The next day the minister will attend an informal lunch for the foreign ministers of the Central European Initiative (CEI), organized by Belarus. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sept. 16 that he would use his time in New York, where he is attending the U.N. General Assembly session, to present his country in the best possible way, and to attract as many investors as possible.

 

Jeremic: Jankovic Deserves to Lead the Opposition (Danas)

Vuk Jeremic, former Serbian foreign minister, former vice-president of the Democratic Party (DS), and presidential candidate in the previous elections, stated on Friday that former ombudsman and also presidential candidate Sasa Jankovic has earned the right, through his results and achievements in the elections, to be the head of the opposition.

“I see nothing disputable in the principles for cooperation in the Belgrade elections, as presented by Jankovic’s Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), and I absolutely support him in his effort to consolidate the Movement, and then the entire opposition. He has a huge responsibility, considering the fact that he is the first, and I don’t wish to aggravate his situation,” Jeremic said.

Commenting the interruption in cooperation between the PSG and DS, Jeremic said that the willingness of the DS to talk to the government about amendments to the Constitution “came out of the blue”. Jeremic added that his continued position is that a single opposition candidate for mayor is the easiest way for the opposition to be triumphant in the capital.

“I’m not saying that it is the only way, but it is the most certain one to achieve victory… for us to all be together – that’s the recipe,” Jeremic said.

Responding to a question whether Dragan Djilas (former mayor and former president of the Democratic Party) might be the joint opposition candidate for mayor, Jeremic said that he did not have that information.

“I have reasons to be irritated with Djilas, he threw me out of the party, at the time when I was president of the UN General Assembly, but in this situation I do not have the right to have personal whimsy. It should be our joint stand, and everyone who is the true opposition (and commit to not collaborating with the SNS) is welcome,” Jeremic concluded.

 

SNS will not announce candidate for Belgrade Mayor (Danas)

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) will run in the upcoming Belgrade elections without announcing its mayoral candidate. Instead of focusing on one individual, the SNS campaign will present the party’s entire team, which will comprise the capital’s government if it wins. The people in the SNS team will include nonpartisans Goran Vesic (incumbent city manager) and Nebojsa Krstic (marketing agency owner, former musician). The Belgrade elections must be held by March 2018 at the latest.

 

Pride march led by organizers, Prime Minister, officials (Beta)

Belgrade's 1,000-strong Pride march started in the Trg Republike square on Sept. 17, led by Serbian officials and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. With music being played from a truck at the head of the parade, the marchers carried balloons and rainbow flags, as well as banners reading: "For a Change," "You Do Not Get Invited to the Pride, You Come to the Pride."

The LGBT march was attended by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Ministers Branko Ruzic and Zoran Djordjevic, Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali, Commissioner Brankica Jankovic, the Liberal Democratic Party leader, Cedomir Jovanovic, German Ambassador Axel Dittmann, British Ambassador Denis Keefe, Head of the UNICEF Office in Serbia Michel Saint-Lot, one of the founders of the Movement of Free Citizens, Aida Corovic, a dramaturges, Biljana Srbljanovic, an LGBT activist, Predrag Azdejkovic, YUKOM representative, Milan Antonijevic and others.

Prime Minister Brnabic said that Serbia respected differences, and that the government extended the same level of respect for human rights to all of its citizens. A representative of the Pride organizing committee, Goran Miletic, announced that the march would take place the same time next year, between Sept. 10 and Sept. 16, and that he expected more marchers than this year.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

B&H Minister Mektic: I support “Macedonian scenario” in RS (BNTV)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Security Dragan Mektic (SDS) addressed a press conference in Banja Luka on Sunday. On this occasion, Mektic said that the authorities in Republika Srpska (RS) and RS Minister of Interior Dragan Lukac carried out an attack on the RS Constitution by bringing the police into the RS National Assembly (RSNA). Reflecting on the fact that police prevented the opposition from attending the RSNA’s last session, Mektic assessed that bringing policemen with firearms into the RSNA is unacceptable. Mektic said that the RS Minister of Interior has no legal right to determine how the opposition in the RSNA should behave. According to Mektic, regulating relations between the opposition and the ruling majority in the RSNA by using police is “disgrace”. The B&H Security Minister also finds it unacceptable that Lukac is accusing representatives in the RSNA Vukota Govedarica (SDS) and Adam Sukalo (PDP Caucus) of being war deserters and he reminded that these two officials were underage at the beginning of the war.

In addition, Mektic wondered what is wrong with the Macedonian (FYROM) scenario, which the RS opposition is being accused of planning to implement. Mektic announced that the opposition in the RS will continue undertaking all legal actions to bring down the current regime, which he referred to as “dictatorial regime”. Mektic said that he will support any scenario that will bring a democratic government in the RS, which is committed to work in favor of the people. Mektic said that the opposition in the RS was forced to do something to stop total anarchy.

 

“What is the issue with ‘Macedonian scenario’? Well, I support the ‘Macedonian scenario’ in the RS. One month ago, when Zoran Zaev visited Sarajevo, I spent two days with him and we discussed several hours about what did the ‘Macedonian scenario’ mean. The parliamentary elections were organized in Macedonia, he (Zaev) as the leader of the party that won the elections has managed to have the parliamentary majority and they suggested a mandatary to the President of the Republic of Macedonia. The President refused to appoint the new mandatary and then the citizens got involved in that process. Can you call that a ‘scenario’, when people get involved?”, said Mektic. Mektic added that the end result in the ‘Macedonian scenario’ was the complete victory of democracy and that decisions by Minister Lukac, to bring police in the RSNA, was far from democracy and the RS Constitution. Mektic promised that the opposition in RS will do everything in its power to change the state that the RS is in and that they will no longer allow this kind of anarchy in the RS and in its institutions.

 

B&H Minister Crnadak: No government can be maintained with violence (TV1)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of PDP Igor Crnadak said that the incidents that took place during the last week’s sessions in the Republika Srpska (RS) National Assembly (NA) were just a demonstration of force and that the position in the RS should be aware of the fact that no government can be maintained with violence.

Crnadak added that this only shows that the government in the RS has lost its way and added: “I really do not understand what the ‘Macedonian scenario’ means to them? Why are they trying to intimidate the people with that? The only scenario that will happen will be the ‘RS scenario’, when the current government will finally be replaced and the RS will breathe easily. Finally, after 12 years the RS will then get an honest and worthy government.” Crnadak said that RS President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic have been mentioning the Macedonian scenario lately but without specifying what they mean by that. “As far as I remember, unrests in Macedonia were caused by the ruling structure. So, I do not understand what the Macedonian scenario means and why they are frightening the citizens with it”, Crnadak added.

 

Republika Srpska is changing Law on Referendum (EuroBlic)

According to daily, representatives of SNSD have promised that the new Law on Referendum will be adopted in Republika Srpska (RS) within the next six months. The goal, according to daily, is to avoid complications which became apparent during the organization of the referendum on the Day of the RS. Daily reminded that the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) refused to send the list of voters, and there was also a confusion related to polling stations.

Head of the SNSD Caucus in the RS National Assembly (RSNA) Radovan Viskovic said that he expects the proposal of changes to the Law on Referendum and Civic Initiative to be prepared during the fall. Viskovic also said that he expects those changes to be adopted no later than in the spring of 2018. Although President of the RS Milorad Dodik has recently said that members of commission for implementation of referendum should have immunity, Viskovic said that he does not believe something like that would be incorporated in the new Law on Referendum. “There is no need for any kind of immunity to commission (members), because if the RSNA - as the highest legislative body - has selected someone to do the job, they have an obligation to do that and by doing so, they will not be doing anything that is not in line with the Constitution and laws”, Viskovic said. He added that the fact the Prosecutor’s office of B&H wanted to prosecute members of the RS Commission for Implementation of Referendum on the Day of the RS “was more a matter of politics than law”.

According to daily, representatives of opposition parties also believe that the existing Law on Referendum and Civic Initiative has certain deficiencies, which is why it should be amended and improved. “One should create a list of all technical problems we have had in the process of implementing the Referendum on the Day of the RS, and then submit proposals as to how to overcome those problems”, stated Deputy Speaker of the RSNA and SDS MP Sonja Karadzic-Jovicevic. She added that opposition expects public discussion to be organized about proposal of changes to the Law on Referendum.

 

fYROM

PM Zaev at 72nd UN General Assembly (MIA)

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev leads the Macedonian delegation at the 72nd United Nations General Assembly, held in New York on September 17-23. The delegation also includes Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov and Diaspora Minister Edmond Ademi, the Government said in a press release.

PM Zaev will attend the formal opening of the General Assembly and address thematic conference "Open Government" chaired by French President Emanuel Macron. He will also take part at several other panels. Zaev is set to have a working lunch with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and hold bilateral meetings with European Council President Donald Tusk, EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, United States President Donald Trump and many others. During his stay, the PM will also meet with representatives of the Macedonian diaspora and U.S. businessmen.

 

Bujar Osmani announces municipal election cooperation between DUI and SDSM (MIA)

Deputy Prime Minister Bujar Osmani said that his DUI party is prepared to cooperate with the SDSM party in the upcoming local elections, given the cooperation the two parties have in the Government.

"This is a European coalition which should focus the country on the path toward the European Union and I think this is a positive outcome", said Osmani during a press conference with the Montenegrin Minister of European Affairs Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic.

Osmani said that it is possible that other political parties will enter into coalitions with VMRO-DPMNE, which means that ethnic Albanians would be able to choose between two options in the coming elections.

DUI did not nominate a candidate for Mayor of Skopje and SDSM is not running candidates in Tetovo, Gostivar and Cair and even broke the traditional ethnic Macedonian coalition with VMRO-DPMNE in Kicevo. This signalled that SDSM would try to help DUi win in Gostivar, Tetovo, Cair and Kicevo, while asking for support for their candidate Petre Silegov to become the Mayor of Skopje and would also ask for help in other cities such as Kumanovo. DUI lost a significant chunk of its support in the ethnic Albanian community in the December 2016 general elections, losing it mostly to the SDSM approach toward ethnic Albanians and to the recently formed conservative Albanian party BESA.

 

Kotzias discussed Macedonia name issue with Guterres (MIA)

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias met with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the Macedonian name issue. Kotzias is in New York for the UN General Assembly, which is traditionally a place where representative of both countries meet and discuss the issue with the UN, which leads the talks to resolve it.

Greek media report that Kotzias said that he found the discussion interesting, and that there is a window to begin discussions on the issue following the October 15th municipal elections in Macedonia, on the condition that Macedonia drops what he called "irredentism". Greece frequently accuses Macedonia of irredentism, which it uses to label acts that undermine the Greek belief that symbols and historic figures from the Classical period belong exclusively to Greece. Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Guterres welcomed the renewed efforts to find a solution to the issue and assured Kotzias that the UN will support both countries in this regard. Macedonian representatives who are also due in New York, have a scheduled meeting with Guterres and it is likely that a meeting with Greek representatives will also be held.

 

Macedonia joins NATO's Defense Education Enhancement Programme (MIA)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has informed Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska that Macedonia's request to join the Alliance's Defense Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) has been accepted. In the letter, Stoltenberg says that NATO welcomes the request to launch DEEP in Macedonia, with NATO's Political Affairs and Security Policy Division to organize a study visit to Macedonia in order to review the country's requirements.

"Based on the success of the program so far, I am convinced it will reinforce your defense education institutions, particularly your Military Academy. Education is a critical factor of transformation and our cooperation in this area will support and enhance your defense reform effort", says the NATO chief. Stoltenberg looks forward to the mutual enhanced cooperation and continuation of the discussion during Sekerinska's visit to the Brussels-based NATO Headquarters on September 27.

DEEP is a vehicle for reform, providing tailored practical support to individual countries in developing and reforming their professional military education institutions. Through faculty development, curriculum development and peer-to-peer consultations, the DEEP Programme fosters defense capacity building, cooperative capability development and standardization, and promotes interoperability of processes and methodologies to enhance democratic institutions.

 

Karakachanov: Bulgaria supports unity and territorial integrity, offers help in resolving name issue (MIA)

Bulgaria supports Macedonia’s state unity and territorial integrity and is ready to help in resolving the name dispute with Greece, Bulgarian Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov stated Monday after the meeting with his Macedonian counterpart Radmila Sekerinska in Skopje.

“I want to underline this explicitly in order to end political speculation - we support the state unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia. We do not have a problem with the name of the Republic of Macedonia, we recognize the country under its constitutional name. We are ready to help in resolving the dispute with other countries in order doors for full-fledged NATO membership to finally open for Macedonia” Karakachanov said.

Answering journalist's question about the statements of some experts in Bulgaria who said that Macedonia in negotiations with Greece should be mindful what name it will choose, Karakachanov said that there is no problem regarding the name between the two countries and that this is problem with third countries. In regard to the views on the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria and whether there will be changes in the ideology after the signing of the treaty [Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighborliness and Cooperation] on August 1, he said that it was a very long topic.

 

“I can give special lessons as a historian to anyone who is interested in the history of the Macedonian question, and not only after the Republic of Macedonia was created. I have always considered that no problems should be created where there are no problems; there is no such problem in Bulgaria. I come here in the role of the Minister of Defence. If you want to make historic talks, I will speak as a historian. Such topics are not in favor of the good relations between the two countries” Karakachanov said.

 

Karakachanov and Sekerinska underlined that today's meeting was held to show the bilateral treaty signed by the two countries will not be left to mere words. The treaty and what happened after the signing demonstrates that the two countries are aware that only through good neighborliness our region can move forward and can guarantee our common security, Sekerinska said. Shortly after treaty signing, several working meetings were held in Skopje and concrete initiatives are underway.

Bulgaria’s main priority during the EU presidency is the integration of the Western Balkans. Our position is the Bulgarian Government supports Macedonia’s policy towards NATO membership. After treaty signing on August 1 the things started to move in a positive direction, he underlined. Two expert teams worked in the past period on development of a plan for closer cooperation and partnership in the sphere of defence. It was agreed Macedonia to use Bulgaria’s knowledge and experience in developing strategic defence review of the Republic of Macedonia for defence reforms and NATO membership. Sekerinska added that it is likely to make consultations dedicated to strategic defence review as early as November.

At the meeting, ministers agreed to increase cooperation between the special forces through joint trainings, holding joint military exercises which would increase the interoperability of the armed forces of the Republic of Macedonia, as well as cooperation between the armies. They also agreed enhancement of the cooperation in defence education, as well as education in the area of military medical training. Requests by Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM) in regard to various specialized courses were also made. Karakachanov and Sekerinska also agreed cooperation between air forces. Macedonia can offer its pilot training centre and on the other hand we can use the opportunity offered by Bulgarian repair centres in terms of repairs and additional training, Sekerinska said. Macedonia and Bulgaria will plan of holding a joint military exercise in 2018, which will clearly show that the two countries are determined to build good neighbourly relations and build common security in the region, Sekerinska underlined. She expressed her gratitude to Bulgaria which honestly supported and promoted our major strategic goal – NATO membership, adding that this cooperation and support is even more important, because Bulgaria will take over EU rotation presidency in 2018.

 

Albania

 

NATO Military Committee Chairman: Alliance is grateful for Albania’s strong commitment (ATA)

Albania is hosting the NATO Military Committee conference which brings together the Chiefs of Defence of the Alliance’s member nations. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and Defence Minister Olta Xhacka attended the conference’s opening session. The conference started with a minute of silence to pay homage to all servicemen who have fallen in the line of duty during the NATO-led operations.

The opening speech was delivered by the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, general Petr Pavel, who, on behalf of all allies, expressed gratitude for Albania’s strong commitment to the Alliance and the country’s contribution to the shared security and the NATO-led operations and missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

General Pavel also praised Albania’s role in promoting cooperation and stability in the Western Balkans, as well as in the fight against the co-called Islamic State “by contributing equipment to the global coalition against ISIL and the special forces trainers in Iraq.”

The NATO general also noted that Albania has offered to host a NATO centre of excellence to study the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters.

In his opening remarks, PM Rama welcomed the fact that for the first time ever Albania is hosting the meeting of NATO’s highest Military Authority, underlining that Albania is fully committed to fulfilling all obligations stemming from the NATO membership.

“We are united behind the country’s commitment to NATO. Albania missions to NATO-led operations have never been opposed in the Parliament of Albania. Our participation in NATO missions has not been that easy due to the country’s limited resources, but Albania will boost its presence by increasing defence spending, while our Armed Forces will deploy at any front whenever called upon. Albania will continue to provide its contribution to NATO commitments,” the government head stated.

The Premier reiterated Albania’s support for the open door policy for all Western Balkan countries. “Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo are still missing on the NATO map. This area, still to be included in the European security architecture, forms a territory where third players see vulnerability and penetration opportunities,” Rama said.

The Chiefs of Defence will discuss further implementation of the Projecting Stability concept, the security situation in the Western Balkans region and provide recommendations for the way ahead for the RESOLUTE SUPPORT Mission in Afghanistan and Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Chiefs of Defence will also elect the next Chairman of the Military Committee, who will take office in 2018.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

Ana Brnabic: 'Germany is a model for us' (DW)

As far as Serbia's foreign policy is concerned, joining the EU is a top priority. The Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic, writes that Germany's support for her country is hugely important in this regard.

I came to politics with the intention of doing something good for my country and its citizens. I agreed to become head of government after working in the private sector for many years, because I want Serbia, the country I love, to become a successful state with a strong society and responsible individuals. We need to be courageous and build a future together for ourselves and for future generations.

Thanks to comprehensive and successful economic reforms initiated by the previous government we have established the necessary conditions to embark on a comprehensive reform of the public administration. We are aiming for a modern and efficient state that will serve its citizens. Like the president of the republic, the government of Serbia and I want to strengthen our society, the state and the economy, in order to rise to the challenges of the 21st century and this constantly changing world.

I have a vision of a modern society based on a better education system and a system of values, one where knowledge and competence are paramount. We need to redefine everything that has been done for the past several years, and the first and the most significant step is digitization.

 

Support from Germany

 

My core ideas here are development, innovation, efficient administration, respect for human rights and the rights of minorities as well as the values of a modern society as seen in the EU and in Germany above all. Given the quality of the relations we have built up in recent years, I am convinced that Serbia can count on the support of friends in the EU and Germany in implementing reforms, in improving relations in the region, and on the path to EU membership.

For many people in Serbia, Germany is an example of an ideal state, not only from an economic but also from a societal point of view. Serbia and Germany have a long tradition of economic and cultural relations, and our political relations keep developing further. This was demonstrated by the meeting of my predecessor Aleksandar Vucic with the German chancellor Angela Merkel, and my meeting with her during the summit of West Balkan states in Trieste. Although brief, this meeting confirmed that we share similar ideas for the future of our two countries and societies. Merkel showed political strength and vision when she spoke about the changes every state has to implement if it wants to create future prospects for its citizens.

 

Close relations

 

It is very gratifying that for years now Germany has been one of Serbia's biggest investors and trading partners. The considerable increase in the mutual volume of trade over the past 15 years and of our exports to Germany is especially encouraging.

Read more: Foreign investment in Serbia: Turning the first sod in the national interest

Hundreds of thousands of Serbian citizens live in Germany, which is very important when it comes to the good relations between our two countries. It is also encouraging that we are able to speak openly about unresolved issues from the past. This has led to the inauguration this year of a memorial in Serbia to the Germans who were killed or expelled at the end of World War Two. Soon we will be signing an agreement at government level for cooperation in the cultural sector and with regard to the foundation of a German school in Belgrade. In this context I am particularly pleased that germanophone literature is the focus of this year's Belgrade Book Fair.

 

EU is the future of the Western Balkans

 

There is widespread consensus in Serbia on the question of EU membership. Joining the EU remains our most important foreign-policy goal. Strengthening regional cooperation and the path to EU membership would both have been far more difficult if Chancellor Merkel had not started the "Berlin Process" three years ago.

I am utterly convinced that EU membership for western Balkan states in all of Europe's best interest. We share the same values, the same culture and civilization. Germany is one of the most important partners for Serbia and the Western Balkans, so it is very good that Berlin is playing an active role in strengthening regional cooperation. We need other EU member states to follow this example.