LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic in Moscow: We got everything we looked for (B92, Tanjug)

"We got everything we looked for," President Aleksandar Vucic said after his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. Vucic stressed that they agreed on "every topic of discussion."

"We got everything that we looked for. We agreed on everything" adding that he "could not reveal the details."

Vucic thanked the Russian President for supporting Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"We didn't expect much, just one thing - to continue this work to support Serbia. And I am very pleased with the response of President Putin and I told him, 'thank you very much, dear friend, thank you very much, esteemed president, for maintaining together with us Serbia’s territorial integrity, but also international law'. This is very important for Serbia" he said.

Vucic also "gave high marks to cooperation of Moscow and Belgrade on the international arena and expects that the two countries will be strengthening cooperation in the economic sector," the report said. "We have settled a lot of concrete issues today, and I am looking forward to meeting (Putin) in Belgrade soon" he added. Vucic told the agency that he expected his Russian counterpart to visit Serbia before the end of this year.

Earlier, Aleksandar Vucic said he encountered Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Federation's "understanding" on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.

The Serbian president told, after his meeting with Putin, that he informed the Russian president "down to the smallest detail about the complete situation in Kosovo, about what the big world players want, what role Russia has, and what kind of support Serbia expects."

"We encountered understanding, a sincere and friendly stance of Putin and Russia towards the Serbian people and Serbia," Vucic said.

Asked whether he acquainted Putin with his "delimitation plan" for Kosovo, Vucic said he had nothing to say about that plan, as it has been rejected by "EU states, the Albanians, and the Serbs."

"I thought it was a rational solution, but nobody else thought so. I talked about the situation, about the fears I have if the provocations continued and if there were any attacks on the life and property of our people in Kosovo and Metohija," Vucic said.

"Out of the two hours of our conversation, we spoke about Kosovo and Metohija for least 45, 50 minutes," Vucic said. President said that they also spoke about "the complete situation in the region. There is no important regional issue that we have not touched on, and not only touched on, but analyzed in detail”.

 

Putin rejects Vucic's version of Kosovo's recognition (Beta, Kommersant)

Moscow daily Kommersant says on Wednesday that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic did not get approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin for “his version of the recognition of Kosovo” the Beta news agency reported. The Moscow newspaper quoted unnamed sources who said that Vucic “wanted to get Putin’s support for the recognition of Kosovo” and added that the Serbian president is prepared to accept that option if the north of Kosovo secedes”.

 

Kommersant said that Vucic wanted to draw Putin’s attention away from the “unpleasant situation” caused by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s visit to the Gazivode lake. “Vucic wanted to draw Putin’s attention to concerns over that situation, the more so since Serbia is waiting for a session of the UN Security Council at which China will raise the question of the final recognition of Kosovo by the UN. Vucic is not opposed to that, especially because of the pressure from the European Union and (EU High representative) Federica Mogherini,” it said.

 

“Vucic is fiercely promising Russia that Serbia will not join NATO but isn’t he over-emphasizing things? In cases like this, you end up doing exactly what you said you would not do,” Kommersant said and added that the Russian negotiators have realized that things are not that simple when they met with Vucic. “It was just Putin at first for one on one talks which lasted an hour, 40 minutes of which were devoted to Kosovo,” the newspaper’s Kremlin correspondent said.

The unnamed sources said that Vucic did not meet with understanding when he asked for Russia’s veto in the UN Security Council if China does raise the issue of Kosovo’s UN membership and the price Vucic feels Serbia would have to pay.

Kommersant said that Vucic spoke Russian which is not required by protocol since the correct form is for heads of state to negotiate in their own language.

 

Vulin: Message to the world – There are powerful countries that want to support Serbia (RTS)

“President Aleksandar Vucic informed the Russian President about the provocations that Serbia is exposed to and the efforts to reach an agreement. The meeting between Vucic and Putin is a message to the whole world that now, when Serbia is having a hard time, there are powerful countries and politicians who want to support Serbia and its president” said Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin for RTS.

Vulin, said that great powers such as Russia are always involved in everything that is happening all over the world, especially in the region of the Balkans, which is one of the vital areas for Russia.

"President Putin could have learned this from the intelligence services, but he is obviously insisted in speaking to the man he considers a great statesman" Vulin said. He noted that the two presidents had spoken for two hours.

This was the 13th meeting of the President Vucic and Putin, find me the president who spoke to the President of Russia and President of China within 15 days, and at the same time kept the communication with the European Union and representatives of the most important countries in the world, said the Minister of Defense.

"It is very important that all they want to hear, they hear from Aleksandar Vucic, they are asking for a stance, they do not seek information, but the position of the person they trust and who they believe to have the political power to streamline the processes in the region" Vulin said. He emphasizes that all the topics discussed with the leaders of a powerful country, such as the Russian Federation, are important.

 

"Serbia is facing great challenges and open provocations of Albanians, which during the weekend almost led to war... Serbia is in a difficult position and times, where it needs big powers to have understanding for its politics and know how difficult it is to preserve peace and stability in this area if you are completely alone. Only one is enough for war and conflict, and for peace, stability, an agreement it takes at least two" Vulin says.

He also emphasizes the importance of the good personal relations of the President of Serbia with the great world leaders and reminds that Putin expressed his understanding and personal respect for President Vucic.

"We forget how important a personal relationship is. Aleksandar Vucic has managed to achieve a personal relationship with Putin, as well as with Xi Jinping and other big leaders" Vulin said. He points out that visiting Moscow at this moment is not something that cannot pass without the echo.

"This is a message to the whole world that now, when Serbia is very difficult, there are powerful countries and politicians who want to support Serbia and its president" Vulin said.

 

Asked about the role of KFOR during the Gazivoda incident, Vulin said that during that crisis, Belgrade had contacts with KFOR.

"We asked them for information, but also to react in accordance with the Resolution 1244. KFOR is the one that guarantees security in Kosovo and Metohija and is obliged to prevent any provocation. It has the discretional right to limit the movement of anyone for security reasons ... KFOR knew what was going on, they were familiar, they were part of the entourage, they had drones that were not accidentally flying ... They knew everything perfectly, but they did not care" said Vulin. He points out that this is undermining our confidence in KFOR, which, as he said, is our only ally, as well as trust in international organizations in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.

"We do not understand what their goal is, if you want instability this is the way to go, just continue support Thaci in his crazy actions. If you want stability, you have to cooperate with Serbia" Vulin said.

 

He adds that he will talk with the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces about the possible abolition of the decision on enhanced combat readiness together with the Chief of the General Staff.

"When an appropriate assessment is made of whether the threats have been reduced, we will make the appropriate decision accordingly" Vulin said. He thanked the members of the Serbian Armed Forces for their brave conduct.

 

KFOR: No special units with Thaci at Gazivode, he is free to move around Kosovo (Beta)

KFOR spokesman Vincenzo Grasso said on Wednesday that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci was not accompanied by any para-military or special forces units when he went to the Gazivode lake and did not need permission from the NATO-led forces for the visit.

He said Serbian officials are right to say that the Kosovo Security Forces need KFOR permission to deploy in northern Kosovo but added that those forces nor any para-military or special units were with Thaci as some media reported. He added that KFOR units were deployed in Pristina for a protest which was attended by a crowd of 13,000 people.

Grasso said there was no reason for KFOR to intervene since there were no incidents, arrests or military operations. “We are confirming that there were no incidents, no arrests nor any military operations and attacks on anyone. Thaci visited the area and was accompanied by a Kosovo Police VIP security team,” Graso told, adding that the road blocks that were put up after Thaci left posed no security danger.

Thaci, as the highest-ranking Kosovo official, is free to move around Kosovo and the police do not have to request permission to go northern Kosovo, Grasso said.

 

Dacic: North Kosovo could come under blitzkrieg attack (RTV)

We don't have to talk about delimitation - but we certainly won't be talking about recognizing Kosovo, either, says Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. Dacic also said he did not think that "the story about delimitation is over" - in this way commenting on President Vucic saying in Moscow on Tuesday that there was nothing to be said on this subject, as the idea has been rejected by "EU states, but also by the Albanians and the Serbs."

Dacic noted on Wednesday that there is no other proposal, and therefore considers "the story of delimitation" not to be finished, because "we do not recognize the unilateral act of Pristina on the declaration of independence, but we are ready to discuss a compromise, and if it is in the common interest and mutually acceptable we are ready to accept it."

The first deputy prime minister was a guest on RTV, and when asked whether "delimitation" was "another word for compromise," replied: "It does not have to be, but I don't know what else anyone has suggested."

He said he understood Aleksandar Vucic exhibiting "a great amount of resignation" - "because throughout all these years, representatives of the international community said that some agreement should be reached, that is, some kind of legally binding agreement."

"And now that somebody has put forward a proposal, suddenly there is a salvo of condemnation from certain positions, which I find to be hypocritical," said Dacic, and added: "Alright - you don't want that, as Vucic has said now, we don't have to talk about it - but what will we talk about? Certainly not about recognizing Kosovo."

 

When the journalist insisted that he "specifies the idea of ​​delimitation, and whether it implies recognition of what remains below the line, that will be called the Republic of Kosovo in the future" - Dacic replied that negotiations on the topic had not even begun. He reiterated that, although the initiative has been challenged both in Serbia and Pristina, "there is no other proposal."

"From one aspect, it may seem that a frozen conflict is a better solution for Serbia, especially as more countries could withdraw their recognition of Kosovo, so in the end the number will fall below half of UN member-states," he said when asked "whom a frozen conflict would suit."

Dacic added, however, that there would be more risk in that case. The first is the risk of an armed attack against the north (mostly Serb) part of Kosovo, "as in the case of “Operation Storm”, somebody carrying out a blitzkrieg with outside help and attacking the north."

"In that case, Serbia would have only two possibilities - to enter the conflict or to leave it aside, as it did during the time of Knin" he said.

 

Asked "what would prevent a blitzkrieg and the cleansing of Gracanica, Gnjilane... of Serbs - in case agreement was reached on delimitation" - Dacic replied that a deal would "imply some agreement between the two sides, and in the event of Serbia's entry into a conflict, that would mean conflict with KFOR, which complicates the position."

"The other risk in case of a frozen conflict is that it would also freeze the European road of Serbia," Dacic said.

 

Brnabic: Three major hurdles in dialogue with Pristina (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Tuesday that there were three fundamental obstacles in the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue: Kosovo authorities' “permanent” provocations, their refusal to implement Brussels agreements and talks about abolishing border with Albania, the Beta news agency reported. She said that she mentioned those issues at the Geneva gathering on the Western Balkans organized by the World Economic Forum earlier in the day.

“We want to talk about the future, about the young people, to be serious,” and not to conduct the warmongering politics, Brnabic said. She added she told Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Geneva that the story about abolishing the border between his country and Kosovo was “completely senseless.” “It would tantamount the talks about erasing the border between Serbia and Republika Srpska” Brnabic said.

 

 

“This is the year in which we'll recognize Kosovo for what it is – an autonomous province” said Brnabic and added a that she didn’t see it as an open question. Brnabic, added that main Serbia’s interests were peace and stability in the region and the cooperation with all neighbors.

“Most of all we think about the future, the creation of the region in which the young want to stay so that we can stop the brain drain. Also, we want to profit from the fourth industrial revolution,” Brnabic told the gathering organized by the World Economic Forum. According to her, the digitalization is "a unique opportunity not only for Serbia but the region as a whole” because "the winners in the fourth industrial revolution could be those who haven’t been in other cases.”

Brnabic said that Serbia recorded a surplus in the third consecutive year and that Belgrade was a leader in attracting direct foreign investments. The unemployment had halved, but that stability was needed “for the benefits from the fiscal consolidation.”

“Whatever politically and socially stable and strong we are, any perception of instability will have its impact on us” she said.

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Statement of Serbian President Vucic sparks reactions (ATV)

The statement of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has said that he will show the evidence on interfering of foreigners in the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) to Serb member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic (PDP) after the upcoming general elections on October 7, sparks reactions.

“It will be enough to show Ivanic only one evidence, if he gets the opportunity to meet with me one day, to show activities of certain persons”, Vucic stressed, adding that he does not want to interfere in internal relations in B&H as Ivanic accused him.

Commenting on the issue, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic stated that Serbia does not interfere in the elections and it wishes success to the RS, noting that Vucic will certainly have some things to say after the elections. “It is obvious that unity of the Serb people bothers those who want to see our people divided”, Dacic said.

 

Republika Srpska (RS) Minister of Interior Dragan Lukac (SNSD) said that the RS MoI knows very well what is Vucic talking about, but it is not on the RS MoI to inform on the topic that will be elaborated by Vucic after the elections as he has received information that  were confirmed by several sources. Ivanic has stated recently that he does not want to comment on Vucic’s claims until he sees all the evidence.

SDS leader Vukota Govedarica said that he is interested in having good relations between Belgrade and Banja Luka for the sake of the RS people, regardless of who holds the authority. RS President and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated that Serbia cooperates with the RS Government, noting that the fact that Ivanic is not a part of the RS authorities is his own problem. He stressed that it is not true that Serbia interferes in the elections in B&H, reminding that Ivanic was ignoring the evidence on wiretapping the Serbian and the RS leadership, and he did nothing as he said in Sarajevo that there are no evidence because he wanted to avoid a number of questions he was obliged to answer regarding this case.

 

Inzko: I hope citizens will vote for “normal” B&H (Dnevni avaz)

High Representative Valentin Inzko wrote for the Austrian-based Wiener Zeitung that the pre-election campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) has been disappointing considering that there was no debate or dialogue on the issues of great importance to the citizens, such as economy and the rule of law. “Many political parties, especially the biggest political party in Republika Srpska (RS), still use nationalist rhetoric of division to attract voters. However, irresponsible rhetoric is not the only reason for concern, but also determined nationalistic policy of some politicians,” wrote Inzko and pointed out that he has been encouraging the citizens to think through everything before casting their vote, and to keep in mind the future of their children. “And the citizens of B&H who live abroad, I asked what made them leave their country. And what should be improved for them to return,” said the HR and concluded that he hopes the citizens are going to vote for “normal” B&H.

 

UK Ambassador Field: Election campaign in B&H is full of threats and fears (Dnevni list)

UK Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Matthew Field said  that the pre-election campaign has started three weeks ago, wondering if it ever stopped. According to Ambassador Field, there is too much talk about threats, fears, past and challenges coming from ‘other’, stressing that what he is missing is focus on the voters, citizens of the country and what their governments need to do it the next four years. In this context the Ambassador said he has heard from the citizens that they need security, prosperity, better education for their children, better healthcare, less corruption, more justice and less talented people leaving the country. Ambassador Field further noted he is concerned about possibility of lengthy negotiations about formation of new governments, which would focus on interests of parties and not citizens. In this context Field said if politicians understand the need for compromise, they will quickly form governments and start working.

 

Dodik: Each new kilometer of highway means that the RS is closer to Serbia, final goal is infrastructural connecting with Serbia (RTRS)

The second section of the Highway ‘January 9’ from Drugovici to Prnjavor, which is 25 kilometers long, was put into function on Tuesday. Thus, construction of the Highway Banja Luka-Doboj in length of 72 kilometers ended with an investment worth EUR 402 million.

 

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik stated that without highways, there are no new job opportunities. He underlined that by construction of the Highway ‘January 9’, the RS showed capability to implement big infrastructural projects that contribute to national integration and economic development. Dodik emphasized that he is especially proud of the fact that the Highway was named after the holiday ‘January 9’, adding that “people with bad intentions wanted to take away this date from the RS”. According to Dodik, the highway will bring a chance for development to everyone in the RS, especially for the area that connects Banja Luka and Doboj. "We want peace in these parts and those who want it build motorways, they do not buy weapons. This motorway goes through the heart of RS and will go further to Serbia” emphasized Dodik. He thanked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbian leadership for the assistance provided to RS. "The unity of RS and Serbia is natural because we are a single Serb people. We should not give up on that. We must build our national and state identity” said Dodik, adding “Long live RS, long live Serbia.”

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s envoy, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic also attended the opening ceremony and said that Serbia observes this success of the RS as its own. According to the reporter, Dacic underlined that he finds national unity of Serbs very important. Dacic added that he feels unpleasant whenever he visits the RS as a Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, bearing in mind that he does not observe the RS as “foreign relations’ affairs, but some internal affair among the Serb people”. Dacic added that Serbia finds economic progress of the RS very important, as well as road connection of the RS with Serbia, as a country that guarantees its survival. Dacic stressed: “Here, it is very important that all roads lead to Belgrade”. Dacic also said that “the RS is the main project you earned in blood during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. You need to preserve it.” He underlined that the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) cannot be changed without agreement of all three peoples and both entities. “Serbia will not stand peacefully and watch if someone tries to destroy the RS,” said Dacic.

 

RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic announced that construction of roads in the RS will continue in the upcoming period and reminded of construction of hospitals in the RS in the past period.

 

Croatia

 

Still no solution for Croatia-Slovenia border dispute (Hina)

Slovenian President Borut Pahor said in Geneva on Tuesday that he was confident that the border between Croatia and Slovenia would "sooner or later" be as determined by the international arbitral tribunal, while Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the arbitration process had been compromised and the two countries should seek a mutually acceptable solution.

“I am confident that sooner or later the border between Croatia and Slovenia will be as defined by the arbitral tribunal," Pahor said at a joint news conference held after a conference on the Western Balkans, organized by the World Economic Forum in Geneva.

 

Plenkovic and Pahor met briefly on the margins of the conference that was attended by the heads of state or government or government ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey.

"We met briefly, we talked, it's good that we have a dialogue. Croatia's position is quite clear, we want to solve the border issue in a way that will be acceptable to both countries" said Plenkovic.

He reiterated that Croatia considered the arbitration process irreparably compromised by Slovenia and that the Croatian parliament had decided unanimously that Croatia should walk out of the arbitration process.

"In the time ahead, we want both countries to find a solution... with which they will be able to live. That is our main message, and as far as Slovenia's position is concerned, it doesn't come as a surprise, I'm familiar with it," said Plenkovic.

 

Montenegro

 

Montenegro won’t give up on the EU (CDM)

The President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, took part at the plenary session in Strasbourg, France and used the opportunity to tell the MEPs that Montenegro has been already behaving as the EU member state.

Djukanovic said: “Montenegro has been the NATO member state for year and a half and the EU candidate country that needs to open only 2 more negotiation chapters. It is a reliable neighboring country and an important element of regional stability and cooperation. As a result, we’ve got an investment destination inspiring to many foreign partners.”

As for the common foreign and security policy, Montenegro has already been behaving as the EU member state.

“We unequivocally strongly support the EU positions regardless of frequent external and internal pressures. Also, Montenegro has been providing continuous contribution to peace and stability through Army’s engagement in NATO, EU and UN operations/missions.”

Whenever he spoke of the EU’s shortcomings, he added, it was because it was completely normal to notice them, as we ourselves are part of Europe. Djukanovic told that Montenegro will never regard the EU as a new religion, but rather our common existing and future home. “The EU is our most important neighbor, especially to the non-EU countries” emphasized Djukanovic.

 

He also said he has been extremely appreciating the financial, professional and any other EU assistance in the accession process. “The regatta principle, which has been once again confirmed in the recent Enlargement Strategy, is a new mechanism representing major incentive and promoting healthy competition in the accession process.”

“The enlargement policy affects not only the Balkans. It’s about the quality of European stability and competition on the global scene. I want to stress this as it seems to me that the Euro-enthusiasm has weakened a lot,” added the President of Montenegro.

Djukanovic underlined that he understands the EU decision to clean up the causes of crises and conduct the process of internal consolidation. He said: “In our opinion, halting or slowing down the process of uniting Europe is not a solution to these problems. On the contrary, I see the complete unification as major answer to all challenges the EU has been facing.”

In case the Western Balkan countries do not join the EU at some point, other countries with completely different strategic goals might interfere, which would take us on the edge of the conflict zone, while Europe would be insufficiently stable and unique.

This was the first time a president of a WB country to address top representatives of this highest EU institution.

 

PzP won’t support Montenegro’s EU, NATO membership (Pobjeda)

The electoral assembly session of Nebojsa Medojevic’s Movement for Changes (Pokret za promjene, PzP) which will be tackling the new program of work and job scheme, will be held by the end of the year. This party told Pobjeda daily that “they have already established the organizational committee for preparing the forthcoming regular assembly and the working group which is to suggest new guidelines for the party’s future actions, having in mind considerable challenges the PzP and Montenegro have been recently facing.”

According to Pobjeda daily, the new program will propose massive changes in the party’s future activities and it won’t support the Euro Atlantic and European integrations, that is, Montenegro’s accession to the EU&NATO. The 2006 PzP program of work actively supported Montenegro’s membership to EU and NATO, but in reality, the party has never demonstrated commitment to it.

 

fYROM

 

Italy expects Parliament to approve constitutional changes after Sunday's referendum (MIA)

Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs after Sunday's name referendum in Macedonia says it hopes that Parliament will approve the constitutional changes required by the Prespa Agreement.

"In a consultative referendum, the broad majority of voters in favor of the Agreement with Greece confirmed the EU and NATO aspirations of the Macedonian people. Italy fully supports the Euro-Atlantic path of the region hoping that Parliament will approve constitutional changes required by the Prespa Agreement" says the Italian MoFA.

 

Canada: Euro-Atlantic path to ensure democratic future in Macedonia (MIA)

On September 30, the people of Macedonia had a unique opportunity to choose the direction taken by their country, says a joint statement by Ambassador Stephane Dion, Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, and Canada's Ambassador to Macedonia, Kati Csaba.

"In July, Canada was proud to join other NATO Allies in offering Macedonia a long-awaited NATO membership invitation. We believe the Euro-Atlantic path will help ensure a secure, prosperous and democratic future for your country," reads the statement on the occasion of the Sunday's referendum in Macedonia issued on the official website of the Belgrade-based Canadian embassy.

 

France expects resumption of Prespa Agreement's implementation (MIA)

France welcomes the fact that the majority of voters in Sunday's referendum voted in favor of the name agreement with Greece and it expects the Parliament to reach a decision on constitutional amendments.

"The electorate of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had the opportunity on September 30 to vote in a referendum on the name and the future of the country. France gladly concludes that the voting process was well-administered and welcomes the fact that an overwhelming majority of those who exercised their right to vote had expressed support to the Prespa Agreement and their country's accession into NATO and the European Union. Now, Parliament should reach a decision about the constitutional amendments with respect to the implementation of the agreement, based on the outcome of the referendum, says Agnes Von Der Muhll, spokeswoman of France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in a statement released by the French embassy in Skopje. According to Muhll, the Prespa Agreement is good not only for the country, but also for the region and for Europe.

 

Germany calls for Macedonia to proceed with Greece accord (MIA)

Germany is adding its voice to calls for Macedonia to push ahead with an accord with Greece to change the country’s name, a move that would put it on a path toward closer relations with NATO and the European Union. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said overwhelming support in a referendum Sunday was “a basis” to proceed, although voter turnout was low. Seibert said Tuesday it was important to continue advocating the implementation of the accord. He said the deal offers a “historic” chance to remove an obstacle to Macedonia’s relations with NATO and the EU. Seibert argued the required 50 percent turnout, which supporters of the deal didn’t achieve, was “very high” because voter registers included many people who have long since left the country.

 

MEP Fajon: Any scenario not involving name deal 'a step backwards' (MIA)

MEP Tanja Fajon says she is very pleased with the convincing support of all the citizens in Macedonia to the name agreement with Greece even though the low turnout is a cause for concern. It's not up to the Parliament to pass the constitutional amendments, Fajon tells MIA.

"PM Zoran Zaev has my full support and I hope that the agreement will be adopted, any other scenario is a step backwards," the Slovenian MEP warns. Macedonia, she notes, for a long time was unable to progress and has lost a lot of time on the path to the EU and NATO. She says she still believes that the deal might succeed.

 

"Membership into the EU and NATO is the best scenario for Macedonia," Fajon stresses. Now, the political leaders and the opposition should show maturity and wisdom and put Macedonia's interests above personal interests, according to her.

The EU and NATO, Fajon says, will continue to support Macedonia in the coming period so as to allow the Euro-Atlantic objectives of the country to be met. She urges the citizens to show responsibility before the future of their own country.

"Considering the boycott, we don't know who are these people who boycotted and why, I urge all the citizens to take responsibility for their country," Fajon states.

She considers that snap elections might not be the best option.

"I heard it's a possibility and the government is prepared for something like that. but there's not much time and I'm not sure that the people are so eager to vote again. Now's the time Macedonia stabilizes, it's not time for elections. Macedonia needs to be stable and strong," stresses MEP Fajon.

 

Asked whether the EU should have been more courageous and set a clear date for start of negotiations, Fajon responds: Zoran Zaev is the one who have shown utmost courage.

"The Macedonian government that after 27 years reached such an agreement to solve this dispute - this is a historic move, everything else is part of international support" MEP Fajon tells MIA.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Serbia says not planning peacekeepers for Ukraine (BIRN)

Ukraine wants a UN peacekeeping mission in its eastern Donbass region, but Serbia rejects a US claim it is ready to take part.

Serbia said on Tuesday it was not considering participating in a mooted peacekeeping mission in Ukraine after a US official said Belgrade was among a number of capitals willing to contribute.

Ukraine wants the United Nations to send a peacekeeping mission to its eastern Donbass region, where the West accuses Russia of arming, funding and directly participating in an armed rebellion against Kiev.

In a September 24 interview with Russian radio station Echo of Moscow, the US Special Representative to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, said: “A number of states have already stated that they will be ready to contribute. This was announced by Sweden, Finland, Austria, Belarus, Serbia and Turkey.” He said any peacekeeping mission should operate under a UN mandate.

But Serbia’s Defence Ministry told BIRN: “The engagement of members of the Serbian Armed Forces in the mission in Ukraine is not planned and the Ministry of Defense at this moment is not considering sending members of the Serbian Armed Forces into a peacekeeping mission under the auspices of the United Nations.”

Ukraine has said it plans to submit a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for a peacekeeping mission in Donbass. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he would not comment yet, but Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Russia was “afraid” of the prospect of a UN peacekeeping force.

“It is afraid that the peacekeepers will see Russian troops and military hardware all over the occupied territory,” he told the UN General Assembly last month. “They are also afraid of losing control over the Ukraine-Russia border used by the Kremlin to keep infiltrating its military into Donbas.”

Speaking in Belgrade in July, Poroshenko said Kiev counted on Belgrade’s support for such a mission.

“We definitely count on Serbia's support for the introduction of a peacekeeping mission under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council,” he said during the visit.

Relations between Serbia and Ukraine have been put under strain by Belgrade’s refusal to join EU sanctions on Russia over its involvement in the rebellion and by the presence of Serbian mercenaries among the ranks of the pro-Russian separatists.