LOCAL PRESS

 

Djuric: Vucic received no support, Brussels won't see him soon (Tanjug)

Brussels will have to "wait a bit to see Aleksandar Vucic" as there's no support to his ideas for resolving the issue of Kosovo and Serb-Albanian relations. Head of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said this during a news conference in Belgrade on Thursday, when asked when the Brussels (i.e., Belgrade-Pristina) dialogue would continue.

Djuric also said that President Vucic will not travel to New York at the end of the month for the UN General Assembly, and that "no meeting related to Kosovo and Metohija" would take place there.

He recalled that, when the Serbian leadership "began the struggle to find a compromise and rational way to resolve relations between the Serbs and the Albanians," it was met with "an avalanche of attacks and criticism, above all, at President Vucic's expense."

As Djuric said, Vucic "put his authority and knowledge behind the fight for a compromise, while an avalanche of attacks fell onto him, and he remained practically completely alone in it."

At the time, Djuric continued, "not only was there no support - but there was either the silence or the most terrible attacks coming from a part of the international community."

"That's why they will now wait a bit to see Aleksandar Vucic and wait a bit for that meeting," Djuric said.

 

Serbia urges EU to react to Haradinaj’s statement on abolition of border with Albania (PinkTV)

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj’s statement on abolition of the physical control at the border with Albania calls for EU a reaction by EU and the mediator in the talks between Belgrade and Pristina Federica Mogherini, Acting Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric said on Thursday, agencies reported.

Will they and in what way respond to these threats and challenges to the regional peace and stability or will they be silent again, Djuric wondered at a press conference, at which he also

addressed “citizens of Serbia”.

He also asked whether EU would also be silent if someone in Belgrade decided to abolish the border between Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS) “or if they would react differently”.

Djuric pointed out that all those were silent who were actually “loudest” when President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that the future of the country should be resolved through dialogue,

pencils and laptops and representatives of the Kosovo Albanians “were doing the same thing for the 28th times”. When Vucic decided to find the most realistic solution for Kosovo, an avalanche of unfounded attacks followed coming both from the international community and certain countries in the region. This demonstrates their nearly pathological need for Serbia not to get

anything and to be humiliated, Djuric said. He said that a preparatory meeting for a joint session

between the Serbian Government and political representatives of the Kosovo Serbs was held on Wednesday, which should take place in the beginning of October, and opening of Serbia’s factory plants in the north of Kosovo would be discussed there, too.

 

Fabrizi without answer to Haradinaj's threat (Tanjug)

Head of Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Ambassador Sem Fabrizi did not want to comment on the latest threats by Ramush Haradnaj.

Fabrizi, responding to journalists' questions regarding the Ramush Haradinaj's statement on the abolition of the "Kosovo-Albania" borders and the threats, said that the EU is a facilitator of the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations and that he is advising everyone to work hard on it

The head of the EU Delegation told reporters at the conference that presented the project "EU Assistance to the National Employment Service" and "EU Support to Employment Policy" the topic in now employment and the labor market and that he is not going to comment on statements by any side. The position of the EU is clear - "The EU is a facilitator of the normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations" and I advise everyone to work hard to achieve a long-term solution.

 

Vucic: If I have said what Haradinaj said, United Nations Security Council would have been called four times by now (B92)

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said that one’s again double standards and hypocrisy have been shown, because no one is reacting to the statements from Pristina.

Commenting the statement by the Kosovo Prime Minister Ramus Haradinaj who said that there won’t be borders between Kosovo and Albania, and that if the border change happens “the military boots” will be needed again, said that if he had said something like that, United Nations Security Council would have been called four times by now.

“This speaks about several things, the constant substitution of thesis, hypocrisy and double standards, but we have to get used to such conditions because those who created the so-called independent state of Kosovo will not admit they have made a mistake" said Vucic.

As he said, when it comes to the situation regarding Kosovo, "he wants to take the risk for the future of Serbia".

"When someone gather the courage, and says that not everything is Albanian, and that not everything is Serbian, that he wants a compromise, he gets criticism.  No problem, here people, I see you have solved the Kosovo problem. For me, it is personally important that the history marks that at some point, we could have had something in Kosovo" Vucic said.

Regarding the statement by Sem Fabrizi, the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, that the EU will not comment on every single statement, Vucic said that he respects both Fabrizi and the EU a lot, but that they reacted to the fake speech from Kosovska Mitrovica. “Anyone who is normal understood what I have said, they reacted to that, but they are not reacting to the unification of Kosovo and Albania" added Vucic.

 

Vucic: Serbia is always ready for dialogue, but we need to know what we are talking about (Tanjug)

President Aleksandar Vucic said that Belgrade wants to continue the dialogue with Pristina but has to know the topic of discussion. He said he would not be the one to recognize Kosovo. “I go there to be told that it would be nice for me to recognize Kosovo and that I could be a world-class leader if I did – I won’t! I’m not interested in that. I don’t want to be a world-class leader. So, what now? Dismiss me like you ousted others? I’m not leaving this country, neither are my three children. I plan to grow old here,” Vucic said.

Vucic said he does not think that the solution is for Serbia to lose everything and be humiliated in the dialogue, adding that he would not agree to that.

Asked if he expects the European Union to react to statements from Pristina that the border between Kosovo and Albania would be abolished, the Serbian president said that the international community would not create what he said is the so-called state of Kosovo if it did not want that to happen. He said no one should be surprised by Albanian intentions and recalled that the people blocking roads during his recent visit to Kosovo were waving the flags of Albania, not Kosovo.

 

Hahn: Belgrade-Pristina agreement specific, not precedent (Beta, Pobijeda)

The agreement between Belgrade and Pristina should be specific, adapted and not a precedent, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn told adding that it has to be in line with international law. The view of High Representative Federica Mogherini as mediator in the negotiations is clear and was clear from the start of her mandate – the joint action for a lasting peace between Serbia and Kosovo and in the region as a whole is the main priority of the European Union, Hahn said.

Asked if changes to the borders are acceptable to the EU, the commissioner said that a lasting solution means a viable, realistic solution based on international law. “That is the guiding principle. Every agreement has to be specific and adapted, and not a precedent and it has to contribute to regional stability and the region’s path to the EU. The sides define the framework for agreement and they said in public that they see the priorities for a lasting solution. They should be given room to agree on the content of the comprehensive agreement on normalization,” he said.

“We will try and continue working with both sides on a comprehensive and viable solution which will have the support of the international community and which will be fully implemented by all sides,” he said and recalled that no country can join the EU without first resolving bilateral issues.

 

German FM: Belgrade&Pristina need harmony, not border change (Beta)

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told he was worried about the Belgrade – Pristina negotiations, adding that “an attempt to eliminate the diversity by changing the border lines is dangerous,” the Beta news agency reported on Thursday.

Mass said that “a real reconciliation should happen between Serbia and Kosovo."

“The only adequate way for that to happen is to show more tolerance and to accept the diversities,” Maas said, adding it would be a dangerous attempt to eliminate them by moving the border lines.

Mass was on an official visit to Tirana and Athens.

Germany is a bitter opponent to any border changes in the Balkans, fearing a domino effect.

Belgrade and Pristina included the issue with opposite and often vague ideas, but it had not been on the dialogue official agenda in Brussels yet.

The European Union, which is facilitating the Belgrade - Pristina talks on normalization of relations, has been cautious regarding the idea, while the United States showed a more relaxed attitude, saying that if both sides agreed, there should not be a problem.

 

Kosovo looking for guarantee, deal in exchange for KLA court? (Blic)

Indictments for serious crimes committed by the KLA will not be raised for at least another year, daily Blic is reporting on Friday.

"There will not be indictments for at least a year, that is, until Belgrade-Pristina negotiations in Brussels have been completed," an unnamed source, "close to Pristina authorities" is quoted as telling this newspaper.

According to the article, published under the headline, "Agreement first, then indictments for KLA crimes," merely ten days after the new special prosecutor (of the Specialist Chambers, "Special Court") for the crimes of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) committed in Kosovo, Jack Smith, signed a solemn declaration that he will perform his duties independently, impartially and conscientiously - "it has become clear he will not do so quickly and efficiently."

The daily recalls that the establishment of the Special Court for KLA crimes has caused turmoil, while Kosovo President Hashim Thaci "has for some time been seen as an indictee before that court."

Given Thaci's high-ranking political function, it is unlikely that he or Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and the president of the Kosovo Assembly Kadri Veseli will be brought to justice.

"The consequences (of the beginning of the work of the Special Court) are not clear because it is not known who the court will accuse, nor when this will happen. It is not known even elections will be held, nor how this situation will develop with Serbia," Kosovo analyst Agon Maliqi is quoted as saying. According to him, "it is too early to speculate about it, and everything is uncertain."  Maliqi added that it was possible that indictments would have a bad effect on parties originating from the KLA, or instead mobilize their voters to support them.

 

Lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic, who will represent the victims of the KLA before that court, also does not expect the trials to start soon. "The Albanians linked the negotiations between Pristina and Belgrade with the work of the KLA crimes court. To them, trials of KLA members are very important, and they are therefore trying to close the negotiations with Belgrade in Brussels with some kind of guarantee that they will be either amnestied or be given lenient sentences for the crimes committed in Kosovo" claims Vlajic.  He also recalled that "the new prosecutor, Smith, also announced that it would take a year for him to get familiar with all the cases."

 

Political analyst Dusan Janjic pointed out that the Brussels process and the work of the court should be independent from each other, but that they are still in correlation. "I expect that the court will soon start with minor cases for crimes committed among Albanians themselves that will not draw great media attention, and that two major processes will start only at the end of 2019, and this is balanced again: against KLA criminals for organ trafficking, but also against the Djakovica group of senior officials of the Serbian Army," Janjic said.  He recalled that this court has its "time and space" limitations, but is not "nationally limited" - and that those who were not members of the KLA can also be brought to trial, if they are charged with crimes committed in Kosovo from 1999 to 2000.

"I think the trials will be objective and impartial, because it is in the interests of both the Americans and the Russians, especially after both went to war with The Hague Tribunal and will neither find themselves before that court," Janjic emphasized.

 

OSCE: Serbs and Albanians to get to know each other better (Beta)

The cooperation between the young people from Serbia and Albania contributes to better understanding between the two countries, Andrea Orizio, the head of the OSCE Mission in Belgrade, said on Thursday, the Beta news agency reported. Speaking at the presentation of the project “In media mirror – Serb and Albanian mutual perception,” he said that the OSCE supported it because of “its regional significance.”

The project is a joint effort by European Movement in Serbia (EpuS), OSCE Mission and the Italian embassy to Belgrade.

Orizio said that another project – the exchange of journalists from Serbia and Albania – showed how the perception changed after they came to know each other better. “That (the project) was very successful.” He added that Serbia and Albania shared the region, strategic goals and many regional worries.

“If you don’t know the others, if they remain ‘the others’, then you have a historical burden as well,” Orizio said, arguing that it was “important to acquaint with each other in order to have more balanced and better perception.”

 

No one pushes Serbia to NATO (Beta, Tanjug, VIP)

If Serbia should not wish, or wish, to become a member of NATO, it would be a decision that would be accepted and it would not be a problem for the Alliance if Serbia would like partnership with other countries, Russia or Belarus, head of NATO Office in Belgrade General Cesare Marinelli said on Thursday, news agencies reported.

 

At the opening of the conference of Atlantic Council nongovernment organization on cooperation between Army of Serbia and armed forces of NATO member countries he said that the Alliance could offer Serbia training of its soldiers in 29 countries, because Serbia was a part of stability in the Balkans. Serbia and NATO have common challenges and thus we would like to have common solutions, Marinelli said and stressed that the cooperation between Serbia and NATO was strong. He said that NATO wanted a good cooperation with Serbia because this would be very important for establishing regional stability, dialogue and exchange of information and opinions.

 

Head of Defense Ministry Administration for international military cooperation Colonel Milan Rankovic said that Serbia fully followed the decision of the Parliament on military neutrality, but also honored UN Security Council Resolution 1244 under which Kosovo was an integral and inseparable part of Serbia. Relations with Pristina had an impact on planning of overall bilateral and unilateral cooperation, Rankovic said and reiterated that Serbia also fully followed Dayton Peace Agreement. Rankovic emphasized that Serbia’s military neutrality was “a right measure” of relation and cooperation with “all stakeholders” and thus cooperation existed with partners on both east and west. Serbia would continue to lead such balanced defense policy, he said and added that Serbia was also determined to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and security with all available means.

 

Study on Albania in the Serbian media presented (Beta)

The image of Albania and Albanians in the Serbian media is mostly portrayed negatively

but there are positive trends that can increase understanding, said the participants of a conference

called In the Media Mirror - Serbian and Albanian Mutual Perceptions, held in Belgrade on Sept. 20. Presenting a study called Albania in the Serbian Media, European Movement in Serbia

 

President Mihailo Crnobrnja said that it was a contribution to "improving relations" between the two countries. "It is clear from the study and reality that Kosovo is the main topic in the media mirror," Crnobrnja said, adding that negative connotations were dominant but that there was positive leverage which could be used to foster cooperation between the two countries, such as the economy, culture and tourism.

 

President of the Forum for International Relations of the European Movement in Serbia Jelica Minic said that it was very important to see the situation so that it could be changed and that the aforementioned study was vital to that.

 

Italian Ambassador Carlo Lo Cascio said that good relations between Belgrade and Tirana could have a positive impact on the entire region. If there is understanding between Serbia and Albania, the Balkan region will be more stable, he said, adding that the situation had improved over the past several years and that Belgrade and Tirana had constructive cooperation. Ambassador Lo Cascio said that Serbia and Albania should receive clear European prospects which would improve the stability of the Western Balkans. The better knowledge of and overcoming prejudice is key to that, he stressed, adding that Belgrade and Tirana have moved from confrontation to cooperation.

 

Albanian Ambassador Ilir Bocka said that the study imparted a living picture of reality and that it was an invitation to work on changes.

 

In the January-September 2017 period four newspapers - Blic, Danas, Politika and Informer ran

1,177 articles mentioning Albania. A trend of negative reporting during elections (March- April 2017) was noted by the study, while after that came a decline in interest and more neutral coverage. The key events were the Serbian train incident, the arrest of Ramush Haradinaj, Albanian President Bujar Nishani's visit to Presevo, as well as subjects with references to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and a "Greater Albania."

 

As for negative trends, the study stressed that Kosovo was still generating negative news, that

newspapers were still writing about a "Greater Albania," using the insult "Shqiptar" etc.

As for positive trends, a decline in articles with negative undertones was noted, while pieces on

culture, the economy and tourism, and the establishment of the Regional Youth Cooperation

Office (RYCO) were published. The study, which was carried out by Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory fellow Aleksandar Pavlovic and researcher Jelena Ceriman, was conducted as part of a project called Strengthening Cooperation Between Serbia and Albania: A View on

the Media Content Today in Serbia and Ways of Shaping Positive and Informed Perceptions that

Leads to Stability in the Western Balkans. The project was carried out by the European Movement in Serbia with the support of the Italian Embassy in Serbia and the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Russian MFA: Lavrov is coming to Sarajevo in order to confirm Russia's commitment and support to territorial integrity of B&H and support to DPA (N1)

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is coming to Sarajevo on Friday in order to confirm again Russia's commitment and support to territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and support to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA).

Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova stated on Thursday that Lavrov will confirm strong Russian commitment to the DPA, during his Friday’s visit to Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Zakharova added that during the visit, Lavrov will support sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H, as well as constitutional competences of the two entities and equality of three constituent peoples. According to Zakharova, Lavrov will discuss bilateral relations with the leadership of B&H, exchange views on the situation in the Balkans and the world.

During his stay in B&H, Lavrov will visit Sarajevo, Banja Luka, but Istocno Sarajevo as well. Lavrov will first meet with B&H Presidency members and B&H Foreign Minister Igor Crnadak in Sarajevo after which he will travel to Banja Luka where he will meet with Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik, RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic and Speaker of the RS National Assembly (RSNA) Nedeljko Cubrilovic. The Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic will also arrive in Banja Luka on Friday where he will meet with Lavrov.

 

Comments on Lavrov's visit (BNTV)

Commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Crnadak told media on Thursday that hosting Lavrov in the peak of the election campaign in B&H represents a sign of Russian support to B&H and another confirmation of the friendship. Crnadak stated: “I am sure that Russia will not interfere in the elections and that Russia will surely not allow that this important visit is used for the pre-election purposes by any side”.

 

Speaking about the visit, Serb member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic assessed the visit as very important and significant. Ivanic underlined the importance to preserve good relations, adding that he met Minister Lavrov on various gatherings during the previous years. Ivanic said that he is glad that Lavrov will pay a visit to Banja Luka and meet representatives of authorities of the RS. So far, there are no announcements that Lavrov will meet anyone from the Council of Ministers of B&H.

 

B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mirko Sarovic stated that in case that he meets Lavrov on Friday, he will discuss trade-related issues and not political issues. In this regard, Sarovic mentioned the need to increase export of B&H’s products to Russia especially in the food industry area.

 

Asked to comment on Lavrov’s visit to B&H, RS President Milorad Dodik assessed that this is a big visit for B&H, adding that Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic will also come to Banja Luka on Friday. Dodik stated: “It is very important that our friends come. We are not ashamed of what British say malignant influence, Russian influence. There, you will see how it looks like. People should not dream how it looks like, Lavrov is coming and they will see it. We are not ashamed of our friendship. Russia is a very important friend for us”.

 

SDP B&H representative in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sasa Magazinovic claims that Russia could interfere with the election process in B&H, adding that it is no coincidence that Lavrov is coming to B&H on the eve of the general elections. "This visit most definitely has to do with the election campaign, with demonstrating strength and with support within the campaign. If there is a story about whether they influenced results in the US, it is illusory to think that they do not have similar ambitions in countries where such a thing is much easier to do," Magazinovic said.

 

RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic stressed on Thursday that cooperation with Russia was never conditioned, adding that the RS is thankful to this friendly country for economic projects and political support, primarily in the UN Security Council (UN SC). Cvijanovic underlined that the RS Government, but also all other RS institutions, as well as RS citizens, are honored and satisfied with the fact that "our great proven friend is coming to Banja Luka."

 

Speaker of the RS National Assembly (RSNA) Nedeljko Cubrilovic stated on Thursday that Lavrov's visit to Banja Luka is extremely significant for the affirmation and strengthening the position of the RS within the Dayton B&H. According to Cubrilovic, the arrival of the Russian Foreign Minister, the recent visit of President of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matviyenko and strong relations which the RS achieved with the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg is clear indication that Moscow has understanding for the RS' position and respects its institutions.

 

Croatia

 

Hrast MP criticizes Serb minority MP for failing to distance himself from harmful rhetoric from Serbian leaders (HRT)

Serb minority MP Milorad Pupovac held a press conference at which he addressed calls for him to explain his participation in a political gathering in Serbia at which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic compared Croatia to Nazi Germany. At a press conference in the Croatian Parliament building on Thursday Pupovac said that he would not be held accountable for other people's actions. However, he did not distance himself from Vucic’s remarks.

Recently Croatian veterans and Homeland War associations have been calling on Pupovac to publicly state his position on the Serbian wars of aggression, the Homeland War, Operation Storm, which liberated a large chunk of Croatian territory occupied by rebel Serbs and the recent rhetoric coming from Serbia. To date he has declined to do so.

Pupovac’s press conference evoked an immediate response from Hrast Party MP Hrvoje Zekanovic. "While we are witness to the successful rehabilitation of the chetnik movement in Serbia, they are trying to conjure up a story of the rehabilitation of the ustasha movement in Croatia. Things have been set on their head here, and Milorad Pupovac needs to apologize in earnest for these things he is doing. This will not stand any longer" Zekanovic said.

 

The two organizations - the Association of Homeland War Special Police and the Federation of Associations of Croatian Homeland War Guard Corps Veterans - resent Pupovac's having attended a commemoration in Backa Palanka, Serbia, at which Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic likened Croatia to Nazi Germany.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has dismissed the demand that the parliament discuss Pupovac's actions, saying that he would not allow anyone to choose his political partners or decide who would be part of the parliamentary majority. Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, too, has refused to put the two associations' demand on the parliament's agenda.

"Only a sincere and moral attitude towards victims, be they Croats, Serbs or someone else, is acceptable to me," Pupovac said and underscored that he would rather that everyone in Croatia did that and that Croatia and Serbia find a way to return to the path to normal relations as has occurred on several occasions already.

 

Montenegro

 

Djukanovic: Perpetrators of attack on Lakic must face justice (CDM)

Commenting on the statement of the EU’s enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn that Montenegro has been a leader in the process of EU integrations but that the negotiations would be halted if the country doesn’t bring those responsible to justice, the president-elect Milo Djukanovic told the fact there’s still no progress in investigation into shooting of journalist Olivera Lakic is not encouraging, but is somewhat normal in all countries of the region and the EU member states as well.

President Djukanovic noted that some EU states had had similar problems and experienced serious media hype, which didn’t mean they ceased to be EU member states.

Djukanovic was adamant – to solve this case would mean the state finally proves to be capable of dealing with similar challenges. Montenegrin state bodies responsible for national security, as well as judicial bodies have been seriously working on this case, according to Djukanovic.

He vigorously condemned the attack on Lakic. “It actually encourages us to do more and finally discover who is behind this brutal attack, but as we know, not all the states have the capability to make wishes come true.”

As for Hahn’s statement that negotiations with Montenegro might be halted, he didn’t wish to comment.

Djukanovic said: “Our position with regards to the EU is clear – we want Montenegro in the EU. I gather his answer was given in response to a tendentious question.” Montenegro is ahead of many countries on the road to EU membership, concluded he.

 

fYROM

 

Zaev-Pence: Prespa Agreement secures Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration (MIA)

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met Thursday in Washington with United States Vice President Mike Pence, who reaffirmed Washington's strong support for the historic agreement resolving the name issue with Greece. "Implementing this agreement will lead to greater security in the region" tweeted Pence after the meeting.

PM Zaev, accompanied by Vice Premier for European Affairs Bujar Osmani and Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, said the meeting took place amid a historic period for Macedonia, with people determining the country's future in NATO and EU at the coming referendum, the Government said in a press release. Zaev briefed Pence on the preparations for the September 30 referendum, a step towards making Macedonia a part of NATO and EU, urging all political leaders, including the opposition, to invest in that future. The PM said the referendum decision would turn the NATO invitation into a ratification process over Macedonia's accession in January 2019, with the country assuming the responsibility to harmonize its standards in the defense sector with those of the Alliance.

"Encouraged and inspired from the meeting with Vice President Pence, we continue our close cooperation with the United States and our efforts to fulfill the country's strategic objective" said Zaev after the meeting.

 

Vice President Pence conveyed the messages from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Washington's support for the demonstrated courage and leadership in the implementation of the required reforms in the country and the historic agreement with Greece, which opens Macedonia's NATO and EU doors. Pence highlighted the White House's encouragement and shared vision of seeing Macedonia as a democratic, prosperous member of NATO and EU.

Interlocutors also discussed the possibility of joint celebrations to Macedonia's NATO accession in 2019, reads the press release.

 

Austrian Chancellor Kurz again urges people to vote at referendum (MIA)

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz again urged Macedonian citizens on Thursday to come out and vote at the referendum.

"Austria is Macedonia's friend and partner. I hope for a positive result, active participation of citizens and a solution to the European perspective. I cannot make the decision for you, but as Macedonia's friend, I hope for the right decision and European development," said Kurz in a video-message.

The Austrian Chancellor sent a similar message during his visit to Macedonia on September 7, welcoming the Prespa Agreement and saying its implementation is a big chance for the European perspective of Macedonia and the region.

 

French diplomat Le Roy voices support for referendum - precondition for Macedonia’s EU, NATO membership (MIA)

French diplomat and former EU Ambassador to Macedonia, Alain Le Roy voiced his support Thursday in Skopje for the upcoming (name) referendum, as a precondition for Macedonia’s accession to the European Union and NATO. Official Paris is staunch supporter of Macedonia’s bid to join the Euro-Atlantic institutions, Le Roy said at a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Andrej Zernovski.

The citizens of Macedonia are offered a historic opportunity to shape the future of their country, which a step closer to realizing its strategic goal – the EU, NATO membership, Zaenovski said.

He also briefed the guest about the pace of reforms – part of preparations for Macedonia to commence the EU accession talks in 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

Mr Le Roy is also member of the Ohrid Group, comprised of current and former politicians and senior officials, established in April of this year to support Macedonia on its road to NATO and EU membership.

 

Ahmeti-Robertson: September 30 decision is historic (MIA)

The September 30 decision is historic, whereas the chance to secure the future of our youth is now or never. We are committed to success because Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration is an absolute priority of citizens, bringing peace, security, stability and economic development, said DUI leader Ali Ahmeti at Thursday's meeting with former NATO Secretary-General George Robertson.

General Barney White-Spunner, who headed Operation Essential Harvest, which was aimed at disarming Albanian insurgents in Macedonia in 2001, also attended the meeting, DUI said in a press release. Ahmeti thanked Robertson and White-Spunner for their enormous contribution in reaching the NATO doorstep and the start of EU accession talks. Interlocutors also discussed regional developments, with a focus on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, reads the press release.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Partition in Kosovo will lead to disaster (foreignpolicy.com)

Ill-advised land swaps and population transfers won’t bring peace. They’re more likely to revive the bloodshed that plagued the Balkans during the 1990s.

Since Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian leadership declared independence from Serbia in 2008, the territory has remained a disputed and partially sovereign entity. At present, it possesses recognition from more than 110 countries as diverse in power and influence as the United States and Germany to Malawi and Vanuatu. However, Kosovo’s sovereignty remains de facto; it has yet to achieve membership in the United Nations, has only distant prospects for entering the European Union, and is still largely dependent on the diplomatic sponsorship of patron states that speak in its defense.

At present, Kosovo’s sovereignty is opposed by Serbia, which enjoys support from Security Council members Russia and China; five countries in the EU, including Spain and Cyprus, which both have separatist problems of their own; and a number of other countries around the world like India, Brazil, and Indonesia. As such, Kosovo finds itself in a frozen conflict similar to other disputed territories like Northern Cyprus, Nagorno-Karabakh, Transnistria, and Abkhazia. All have functionally separated from the state they broke away from, but all are unable to obtain de jure sovereignty.

Since 2011, the European Union has been actively involved in organizing a “normalization of relations” between Serbia and its wayward province. A number of proposals envision both sides coming to some sort of modus vivendi that may or may not include recognition, but certainly calls for a stable, democratic, integrated, and multiethnic Kosovo with an empowered Serbian minority that retains strong institutional links with its parent country. The trouble is that no agreement has been reached, which means membership in either the UN or the EU remains indefinitely blocked.

One option that frequently comes up is the partition of Kosovo at the Ibar River. This means reattaching to Serbia proper the northern tip of the territory that is overwhelmingly populated by ethnic Serbs and has effectively resisted being integrated into the ethnic Albanian-led government in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. In return, Serbia would write off the rest of the territory as an independent state. Partition has been officially opposed by all sides, including the EU, the UN, and the United States, but it has been frequently suggested by a number of policymakers and analysts as a type of last-resort solution to ending an intractable impasse. Most recently, officials in the Trump Administration, including National Security Advisor John Bolton, have stated they are no longer opposed to such an idea if Belgrade and Pristina agree to it.

There is now talk of partitioning Kosovo alongside a larger “land swap” in which Serb-majority northern Kosovo is ceded to Serbia, while Kosovo gains the neighboring Albanian-majority Presevo Valley region of Serbia. In addition, Kosovo would allegedly be given membership at the UN while Serbia would get the proverbial “green light” for EU membership. The source of these rumors is Serbia’s president Aleksandar Vucic, whose grand political theatrics tend to portray him as the only person standing between Serbia and a diplomatic catastrophe over the fate of Kosovo. While he has neither confirmed nor denied such discussions are taking place with Hashim Thaci, his Kosovar counterpart, such talk has renewed tension between the two communities.

Arguments in favor of Kosovo’s partition have existed since 1999 and tend to revolve around the following points:

First, northern Kosovo has never come under the control of Pristina, either during the transitional period after NATO’s intervention in 1999 or after Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008. As such, Pristina lacks both authority and legitimacy among a population that overwhelmingly identifies as citizens of Serbia because, for all intents and purposes, Serbia has never really ceased to function there. Forms of identification are issued by Belgrade, goods are purchased with the Serbian dinar, Serbian election posters cover walls and signposts, and politicians from Belgrade regularly visit the region. Serbian radio and television stations fill the airwaves, Serbian power and telecommunications companies provide uninterrupted service, and schools continue to operate within a Serbian educational curriculum.

Second, despite the official claims by Kosovo’s Albanian leaders of territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders, most know the Serb-controlled north will never be fully integrated. Pristina’s authority there is, at best, visually symbolic. Real power resides within a murky mixture of authority from Belgrade, local political bosses, and a sophisticated organized criminal network that run the three municipalities and the urban center of Mitrovica north of the Ibar as a breakaway region within a separatist entity.

For years, Kosovo’s Albanian leadership has accused the north of running a number of “parallel” political, economic, and social systems with financial support from Belgrade  - an ironic statement to make since the roots of Albanian separatism in the region began with “parallel” institutions and active boycotts toward the-then Yugoslav state. More recently, these Serb parallel institutions have evolved into constitutionally-recognized political parties and organizations within Kosovo, but they still take their marching orders from Belgrade, rather than from Pristina.

A third argument in favor of partition suggests there should at least be some sort of “concession” to Serbia if Kosovo is to gain de jure independence. The north will never be integrated, so the argument goes, but it is the only part of Kosovo that Serbia can feasibly defend due to its geographical proximity.