LOCAL PRESS

 

Brnabic: Serbia can move even faster on its path to EU (Beta/RTS)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic reiterated in Brussels that the main foreign policy priority of Serbia is joining the EU, saying that we can be even more efficient in the reforms that we conduct, primarily because of our citizens. At a joint press conference with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, Brnabic recalled that 16 negotiating chapters are currently open, after the meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council between Serbia and the EU, while two are temporarily closed. She said that our country is not frustrated by the number of open chapters, nor the pace of this process. At the same time, she stated that Serbia, in its relations with Pristina, is trying to be tolerant, constructive and to find room for dialogue. She stressed that despite the economic losses that the state suffers from Pristina fees, Serbia did not impose any counter measure, saying that we will remain reasonable and continue to advocate for regional stability and for a different perspective of the region. As she underlined, Serbia remains constructive and tolerant in order to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and work on regional stability. Serbia has applied everything from the Brussels agreement. There are 15 points that are applied or not. The basis is the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Not even five years after the agreement we do not have the statutes of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Pristina did absolutely nothing to implement an agreement that was difficult to negotiate and sign. Is this normalization? Brnabic asked. According to Brnabic, Serbia's commitment to normalizing relations with Kosovo is one of the key elements of progress in accession negotiations. Brnabic told RTS in Brussels that the EU was never more direct in condemning Pristina and calling it to revoke its tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “What Pristina is doing is counter to everything that the EU tried to do for the Balkans,” Brnabic said, adding that everyone she met in Brussels condemned Pristina’s decision to raise taxes.  “It seems to me that we have partnership relations and are finally no longer talking about two sides but about recognition for a constructive and reasonable Serbia which is a leader of regional stability and Pristina which takes completely unpredictable steps,” she said.

 

Tusk welcomes Serbia’s reasonable moves (RTS/Tanjug)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met in Brussels with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk. They discussed the situation in the region, Pristina’s unlawful measures and Serbia’s EU integration. Vucic pointed out that Serbia strongly supports the dialogue on normalization of relations with Pristina and thinks that talks are the only way of resolving open issue and preserving regional stability, the President’s press service stated. Nevertheless, Vucic underlined that the talks are still not possible because of Pristina’s decision on the drastic increase of taxes to 100 percent, contrary to the CEFTA agreement, as well as the attempt at seizing the power energy system. The talks are also not possible over the passing of the law that enables the transformation of the so-called Kosovo security forces into a so-called army of Kosovo, contrary to UNSCR 1244, the Brussels agreement, the stand of the Serb community in Kosovo and Metohija, but also contrary to the legal regulations in so-called Kosovo. “Serbia is committed to improving regional cooperation and is determined to contribute to this goal. The prerequisite for successful realization and improvement of regional cooperation is strict respect of concluded agreements and agreed frameworks of cooperation by all participants in the region. The only way to create conditions where further resumption of talks would be possible is for Pristina to withdraw unlawful and very unreasonable decisions,” said Vucic. Tusk welcomed Serbia’s reasonable moves in relations with Pristina.

 

Dacic: Pristina can’t join any organization without agreement with Belgrade (RTV/Beta)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that Kosovo was unable to join any international organization without an agreement with Belgrade, no matter who might be supporting the authorities in Pristina. In an interview with the Radio and Television of Vojvodina

(RTV), Dacic said that Pristina couldn’t muster a simple majority, let alone a two-thirds

majority required by some organizations. “Twelve states have withdrawn a decision to

recognize an independent Kosovo, and the process will continue. Strictly speaking, the number of states recognizing Kosovo is nearly the same as the number of those refusing to do so. I can no longer stop the withdrawals, new states keep coming to us. Our goal is to prevent Kosovo from wrapping up their independence behind Serbia’s back,” Dacic explained. He said that the UN Security Council session to discuss a Kosovo army was useful, as it made clear who thought the Resolution 1244 was no longer valid. “We requested the UN Security Council to meet after the Resolution 1244 had been violated, so that each member state could share its opinion on that. No decision was expected, nor a document had been prepared for adoption. No one insisted that the session shouldn’t take place, but it was only that three great powers, together with Holland and Poland, asked that it be closed to the public. Ivory Coast made the decision, scheduled the session and said during the debate that the Resolution 1244 had been violated,” he said.

 

Djuric meets German Ambassador: Belgrade committed to peaceful solution (Beta)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said at a meeting with the German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb that Belgrade was committed to dialogue and a peaceful solution for differences with Pristina, but that things had to be moved back to where they had been for the talks to make sense. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija quoted Djuric as

saying that he was concerned over a prolonged destabilization process in the region, following

Pristina’s unilateral, provocative moves. Djuric warned that the establishment of a so-called army of Kosovo was the most direct attack on regional peace and stability and most flagrant violation of international law. He also said that Pristina’s trade blockade on products from Serbia proper, unrealistic expectations from the negotiations, a decision to set up a new team of negotiators and issue an ultimatum to the EU, practically closed the door to the dialogue.

 

Mitchel: Dialogue only way to normalize relations (Beta)

 

US Assistant Secretary of State Wes Mitchel told Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic that the dialogue is the only way to normalize Belgrade-Pristina relations, the Serbian President’s cabinet said in a press release on Tuesday. Speaking in a telephone conversation, Mitchel said that the crucial thing is to overcome tensions.  The press release said that they discussed the situation in the region, especially Belgrade-Pristina relations. The Serbian President is quoted as saying that Serbia always wanted peace, stability and a compromise solution, adding that Belgrade will continue to be committed to that goal.

 

Serbian opposition to boycott elections at all levels until demands for fair election conditions are met (Beta)

 

The united opposition will not field candidates in any elections before its demands for free and fair elections are met, the Alliance for Serbia (SzS) said on Tuesday, adding that it will fight for its demands through protests. People’s Party leader Vuk Jeremic told a SzS news conference in Belgrade that the opposition will not turn out for the general election which he said could be called over the situation in Kosovo. “The year 2019 will be about Kosovo. Either there will be an agreement (to normalize relations) which the current Serbian government advocates or there won’t. The agreement can’t happen without an election process at republic level for many reasons. We will not take part in elections for parliament under these conditions. That parliament without opposition participation will not have the legitimacy that the international community needs to complete everything about Kosovo in the way that the authorities promised,” he said.

SzS official Nebojsa Zelenovic presented a White Book of all irregularities at the December 16 local elections in the western town of Lucani. He said enough evidence had been collected to show that those elections were not free and fair, adding that the White Book would be sent to Serbian institutions, embassies in Belgrade, the European Union and Serbian parliament.

Dveri leader Bosko Obradovic said the SzS took part in the local elections in Lucani to document irregularities. He demanded the immediate resignation of Internal Affairs Ministry State Secretary Dijana Hrkalovic who was at the Lucani police station on election day. Obradovic said the law on the police was violated because Hrkalovic took command of the local police which she does not have the power to do. Obradovic also listed several irregularities which were reported to the police but were not followed up, such as parallel electoral rolls and unregistered automobiles cruising the municipality, and added that the police arrested opposition activists who reported the irregularities.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

B&H CEC passes decision according to which election of delegates to Federation of B&H HoP should be based on 2013 population census (N1)

 

At its session held on Tuesday the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Central Election Commission (CEC) adopted the decision on the method of distribution of seats in the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Members of the B&H CEC voted on two proposals of this decision and adopted one proposed by B&H CEC President Branko Petric. Five members of the B&H CEC voted in favor of this decision, while Ahmet Santic and Suad Arnautovic voted against it. According to this decision, the distribution of seats will be based on results of the 2013 Census and the ‘1/1/1’ principle, meaning that every canton will be represented by at least one representative of every constituent people if they were elected. Following the session of the B&H CEC, Petric addressed media and stated that the B&H CEC can decide about distribution of seats in the Federation of B&H HoP only if Census 2013 is used as ground for such decision. He went on to say that it is possible this decision will be disputed and that it will be decided that the census from 1991 is used for distribution of mandates in the Federation of B&H HoP, adding that such decision will have to be in form of a law or some other act. According to the B&H CEC’s decision, Una-Sana Canton will elect six delegates (two Bosniaks, one Croat, two Serbs and one from the ranks of Others), one Bosniak, one Serb and one Croat delegates will be elected from Posavina Canton. Tuzla Canton will elect three Bosniaks, one Croat, two Serbs and two from the ranks of Others. Zenica-Doboj Canton will elect six delegates – three Bosniaks, one Croat, one Serb and one form the ranks of Others. Bosnia-Podrinje Canton will be represented by one delegate from each constituent people. One Bosniak, one Serb, three Croats and one delegate from the ranks of Others will be elected from Central Bosnia Canton. Sarajevo Canton will be represented by nine delegates in total – three Bosniaks, one Croat, three Serbs and two from the ranks of Others. Canton 10 will elect six delegates – three Serbs, two Croats and one Bosniak. Also, Petric admitted that the B&H CEC failed to find a solution concerning filling of Serb Caucus in the Federation of B&H HoP. He stated that only 14 Serbs were elected in cantonal assemblies in the Federation of B&H, adding that Serb Caucus should consist of 17 delegates. Reporter noted that B&H CEC’s decision will enter into force in this week.

 

B&H CEC’s decision on method of election of delegates to Federation of B&H HoP sparks reactions (Hayat)

 

Several political subjects in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision of the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) regarding the Federation of B&H House of People (HoP) formation. SDP was one of the loudest parties that often stated after the elections that the decision like Tuesday’s one could be made. They will appeal the decision, together with their colleagues from the B&H Bloc: DF and Our Party (NS). SDP MP Sasa Magazinovic said that there is no doubt the CEC B&H will be the subject of the discussion in the Parliament. He said that they significantly worked on undermining the trust in the election process. Magazinovic stressed that the B&H parliament, as the highest legislative institution in B&H has the right to discuss the work of the B&H CEC, the election process and the mandates of the members. President of NS Predrag Kojovic said that his party will block the election of delegates into the Federation of B&H HoP in any way possible until the Constitutional Court makes the final decision. He said they will request a temporary measure from the Constitutional Court to stop implementation of the decision until they decide on its content. Current speaker of the B&H House of Representatives Borjana Kristo filed a motion to the B&H Constitutional Court before and the decision was not made yet. Kristo’s appeal regards the Article 8 of the Federation of B&H Constitution which suggests the application of the 1991 census until the Annex VII of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) is fully implemented. Kristo said this decision is completely against the decision of the B&H Constitutional Court on the legitimate representation of all constituent peoples regarding the Federation of B&H HoP and it goes against the B&H Constitution. B&H Presidency member Zeljko Komsic said that the B&H CEC has brutally violated the Federation of B&H Constitution. He announced that he will file an appeal with the B&H Constitutional Court (CC). Komsic stressed that this is no compromise solution, like it will be presented. He stressed that compromise solutions cannot be made in regards of constitutional issues. DF and GS stated that this decision is violating the Federation of B&H Constitution as well. Commenting on the B&H CEC’s decision, SDA stated that this is unconstitutional and political decision, announcing that the party will file a motion with the B&H CC. DF and SDP BiH announced they will do the same. “This is an attack on constitutional organization of the state and finalization of war crime results. Authorities cannot be formed until everything is returned within the constitutional framework. Anything other than that represents betrayal of B&H,” SDP stated. HDZ B&H said that this party is also dissatisfied with the decision, reminding that B&H CC’s ruling in the ‘Ljubic’ case was not implemented.

 

Presidency member Dzaferovic with Ambassador Berton, says CEC’s decision in collision with Constitution of Federation of B&H (Dnevni avaz)

 

Member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic met with Head of the OSCE Mission to B&H Bruce Berton in Sarajevo on Tuesday. Dzaferovic and Berton exchanged opinions about the current situation in B&H, with special focus on the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H regarding filling of the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Dzaferovic told Berton that the CEC’s decision is in collision with provisions of the Constitution of Federation of B&H, according to which the 1991 census is to be applied until final implementation of the Annex VII to the Dayton agreement. He also expressed expectation that the Constitutional Court of B&H, after it has discussed a motion challenging constitutionality of the CEC’s decision, will order application of the 1991 census.

 

US Embassy, EU Delegation and OHR react to CEC B&H decision to use 2013 census for Federation of B&H HoP formation (TV1)

 

The B&H Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decision that was passed on Tuesday, according to which the election of delegates to the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP) should be based on the 2013 population census and the '1/1/1’ principle, sparks a number of reactions. The US Embassy to B&H and the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H conveyed a short message welcoming the decision on making steps that will lead to the formation of authorities in the Federation of B&H.  They stressed that all disagreements     should be addressed through available legal means. “Given the lack of legal solutions, the B&H CEC has both competences and responsibility for implementation of the election results. This was clearly stressed by experts of the Venice Commission during talks with political parties and the B&H CEC, on the occasion of their visit to Sarajevo last summer and autumn,” reads the statement.

 

New RS government appointed (RTRS)

 

The new RS government was appointed on Tuesday by the RS parliament. Reporter noted that 54 MPs endorsed appointment of new RS government, 13 were against, whilst two representatives abstained from voting. RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic and Chairman of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik attended the ceremony when new ministers took oath of office. Reporter noted that seven out of 16 ministers performed ministerial duties in previous composition of the RS government. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said that no minister in the government will be untouchable. Viskovic went on to say that the RS government will immediately start with implementation of measures presented in his exposé and will work exclusively in interest of citizens.

 

SDA, HDZ B&H hold talks on formation of authorities (N1)

 

Leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic met in Sarajevo on Tuesday with leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic to discuss formation of new the Federation of B&H and B&H authorities as well as program of cooperation between two parties. Two leaders expressed optimism regarding formation of authorities at B&H level, while they are rather pessimistic when it comes to formation of the Federation of B&H authorities. Izetbegovic underlined that possibly A new convocation of B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) will be formed in January. “When it comes to the Federation of B&H government, neither him nor me are optimists that there will be changes any time soon,” stressed Izetbegovic. Covic said that there is no need to delay formation of B&H CoM. When it comes to formation of the Federation of B&H authorities Covic said: “We will see.” Izetbegovic and Covic stressed that partnership between SDA and HDZ at the B&H and the Federation of B&H level will be continued in this mandate as well. Covic and Izetbegovic also defined priorities of the two parties, including peace and stability of B&H, as well as European and NATO path of B&H. Covic told the media that HDZ B&H is ready to form authorities under certain conditions, i.e. when all legal and all other conditions for that are fulfilled. Izetbegovic gave a statement to the press that Covic insists on changes of the election law which would solve problems as they see them, and that SDA is ready to continue these negotiations, however that he feels that this cannot be resolved quickly and cannot be a precondition of authority formation.

 

Seven changes proposed to the “North Macedonia” constitutional amendments (Republika)

 

A total of seven amendments were submitted in parliament, on the four proposed changes to the Macedonian Constitution meant to rename the country into North Macedonia. One of the amendments, submitted by the group of eight former VMRO-DPMNE members of parliament, provides that the four amendments are null and void if all obligations from agreement, which is meant to roll back all changes if Greece fails to honor its obligations. Three of the proposed changes are focused on the description of the nationality adopted under the Prespa treaty with Greece, which is proposed as “Macedonian/citizen of the Republic of North Macedonia. Two members of parliament from the Alliance of Albanians asked that the word “Macedonian” is deleted from this description, so as not to assume the national identity of ethnic Albanian citizens. The government insists that nationality in this article reflects only on the citizenship, and not the ethnic identity. The group of eight members of parliament, and Muhamed Zekiri from SDSM, separately proposed that the word “Macedonian” remains in this article but is clarified with an explanation that this does not assume the ethnic identity of the citizen.

Both Alliance of Albanians members also asked for a specific definition of the Macedonian borders, which would name Kosovo as one of the five neighboring countries. These proposals will be put before the Committee on constitutional affairs of the parliament, whose work VMRO-DPMNE will boycott. In the end, the ruling parties need to reach a two thirds majority in parliament for the amendments to be adopted. The SDSM led government, which proposed the amendments to rename Macedonia, wants to get them adopted until mid-January.

 

Parliament adopts amnesty law for participants in the April 2017 incident (Republika)

 

With 95 votes in favor, the Macedonian parliament adopted a law on amnesty over the April 2017 incident in the parliament. The law is expected to pardon the three former VMRO-DPMNE members of parliament who were charged in this case, and conditioned their vote in favor of the amendments to rename Macedonia into North Macedonia with an amnesty. VMRO-DPMNE demanded a broad amnesty, not one which would apply only to the members of parliament whose votes are necessary to the ruling majority. In the end, the text provides amnesty to all non-violent participants in the incident, but will not apply to the “organizers” of the incident. Thousands of protesters entered the parliament on 27 April 2017, provoked by SDSM, DUI and several smaller parties who staged an improvised session to elect a new parliament speaker. Ziadin Sela, leader of the Alliance of Albanians, was badly beaten in the incident, while a number of SDSM representatives were also kicked or dragged. Besides the members of parliament, protest leaders were also detained, among them world acclaimed opera singer Igor Durlovski, director Boris Damovski, actor Vlado Jovanovski and others. According to the law, those eligible for amnesty will have five days to submit requests for pardons, and the Court will make a decision, taking into account the evidence provided by the prosecutors. Sela was strongly critical of the proposal. “I survived a murder attempt, but today, they are killing me for a second time. The perpetrators of the attack on me will walk free, but people who actually protected my life, they will still be held accountable, Sela said, adding that he wants the three members of Parliament who were charged to be exempt from the amnesty. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev held talks with representatives from the group of former VMRO-DPMNE members of Parliament, in what they referred to as “reconciliation”. Most of the group of eight are charged for various crimes, directly or through political associates and family members, and VMRO-DPMNE said that their votes to open the process to amend the Constitution are driven by bribes and blackmail.

 

Zaev and Tsipras officially nominated for Nobel Peace Prize (Meta)

 

Prime Ministers Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras have been nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts on the Prespa Agreement, resolving the name dispute which has lasted for two-decades. Zaev and Tsipras’s nomination was announced by Uided Bushamaui , the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize winner at a ceremony held at FON University. Bushamaui says the Prespa Agreement proves that two countries can sit down together, negotiate and reach an agreement.

“The nomination is not just personal for Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras, but it is for all citizens. This is a model for dialogue and prosperity. I strongly believe that Macedonia or should I say Northern Macedonia and Greece will receive the Nobel Peace Prize and will prove to the world that everything can be achieved with an agreement. Once ratified, the treaty will send a strong message that dialogue is possible” said Bushamaui. MEP Stelios Kouloglou from the Greek Syriza party attended the ceremony, and also supports the two prime ministers nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Koulogou said that if there had been a Nobel Prize for war, the Balkans would have been awarded several times, and that the Prespa Agreement is the only good and positive thing that is currently coming out of Europe, which is currently divided and faces numerous problems. “The Prespa Agreement is an agreement that solves a long-standing problem, not only regarding the name, but it also provides a definite solution to the Macedonian question. Zoran Zaev and Alexis Tsipras needed courage and had to put national interests above party interests in order to reach this agreement. We owe this agreement to previous generations, as well as our children and future generations who must live in peace and prosperity” said Koulogou. He pointed out that the agreement had many opponents on both sides, but it is illogical that their opponents accuse the two prime ministers of selling out national interests.

After the ceremony in Skopje, Bushamaiu and Kouloglou are heading to Athens on December 19th, where they will meet with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to officially announce the nomination.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference following the 5th EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council (EEAS, 18 December 2018)

 

I am very pleased to welcome the Prime Minister [of Serbia], dear Ana [Brnabić] again in Brussels, together with her team. We have just held the 5th meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Council between the European Union and Serbia.

This Council is always a good opportunity to look at where we are in the relations between the European Union and Serbia, and let me say that the assessment today is clearly that these relations remain very strong, very intensive and very positive.

I always repeat that I consider all of the Western Balkans and obviously Serbia as being already part of Europe. What we are discussing and what we are working on here is not how to integrate Serbia into Europe which it already is, but how to integrate Serbia into the European Union.

Looking at what we have done together since we last met here in November last year, the commitment on both sides is loud and clear.

We issued the Western Balkans Strategy during the course of this year, underlining the European Union clear commitment to support the political, economic and social transformation of the region, and with concrete deliverables on different sectors like connectivity, security and migration. We then had a EU-Western Balkans Summit in Sofia - fifteen years after the previous one in Thessaloniki - where the main priorities of the [Western Balkans] Strategy were endorsed by both the European Union and the Western Balkans' leaders.

We have now all the necessary tools at hand to make further, irreversible progress on the EU perspective of the entire region and in particular on Serbia's European Union path by the end of the mandate of this Commission – I believe these steps can be made irreversible and can advance at an even greater pace.

This is my clear goal. This is also a shared European Union commitment, as repeated on a number of occasions by the Council.

Serbia’s accession negotiations are moving forward. Last week, as you know, during the Intergovernmental Conference a further two chapters were opened, bringing the total to sixteen chapters opened and two provisionally closed.

I strongly believe that we could proceed even faster. The pace of the negotiations depends on the pace at which Serbia implements reforms in all different areas that are relevant for the European Union accession. Let me be very clear: we welcome enormously - and I welcome the personal commitment of the Prime Minister [of Serbia, Ana Brnabić] expressed today - the continued commitment of the Serbian government and of the Serbian people, to their strategic goal of European Union accession.

I am confident that the Prime Minister’s commitment and engagement will bring further progress in the key areas of rule of law, elections, parliamentary oversight and freedom of expression.

Serbia’s commitment to normalisation of its relations with Kosovo is also key for the progress of accession negotiations.

The European Union expects Serbia and Kosovo to swiftly deliver on their commitment to the Dialogue, given the direct link between comprehensive normalisation of relations between them and the concrete prospects for their respective European Union aspirations.

In this respect, let me comment the recent decision of the Kosovo Government on 100% tariffs targeting products from Serbia and from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The European Union's message, my message, Commissioner [for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Johannes] Hahn's and Commissioner [for Trade, Cecilia] Malmström's message has been clear from the very beginning: this measure is a breach of CEFTA [Central European Free Trade Agreement] and of the spirit of the SAA [Stabilisation and Association Agremeent]. It is in the interest of Kosovo to immediately revoke these decisions.

Grievances should be addressed through the Dialogue which the European Union and I personally am fully committed to continue to facilitate, and in general terms through the channels provided in the frameworks at hand.

Let me also add a remark on one extremely important area of our cooperation with Serbia – security and foreign policy. Serbia is a very important partner for the European Union when it comes to Common Security  and Defence Policy. We particularly appreciate Serbia’s contribution to four military missions and operations of the European Union, in Mali, in the Central African Republic and in Somalia. We also welcome Serbia’s ongoing preparations to participate in European Union civilian missions.

This said, in line with its accession negotiations framework, we also expect Serbia to progressively align with the European Union Common Foreign Security Policy.

To conclude, let me say that I am optimistic about the European Union future of Serbia, and I trust that through our joint common work, Serbia will be able to progress even faster, which I see very clearly, is a strong demand of the citizens of the country.

Dear Ana [Brnabić], let me thank you again for your leadership, your dedication and commitment to the reform agenda, to the European Union perspective of your country and let me ensure you that you will always have here partners and friends ready to do every single step of the way together with you.

 

1. I noticed yesterday afternoon you had talks with the Kosovo Prime Minister but no press conference afterwards, and today we are having this press conference. What should we read into that, was that any sign of your displeasure at the Kosovo position recently? What is your message today to Prime Minister [of Serbia, Ana] Brnabić on the issue of Kosovo and the proposal of the army and so on. Was it a message to carry on, or exercising restraint or what was it?

I do not think you need to read between the lines to know what I think of different things. My statements are always very clear and I reiterated it just now - that is not just my opinion but it is the European Union position, the Member States', and the Commission position. The introduction of 100% tariffs is a clear violation from the side of Kosovo of the Central European Free Trade Agreement. It is also a clear violation of the spirit of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Kosovo, and we have repeatedly invited and asked the Kosovo government to revoke this decision. We asked to revoke it already when it was 10%, now even more so.

This is not a secret, it was clearly mentioned in my statements and in Commissioner [Johannes] Hahn's statements. We jointly addressed a letter - myself, Commissioner [Johannes] Hahn and Commissioner [Cecilia] Malmström - to propose to both Kosovo and Serbia to facilitate talks on any trade dispute that needs to be addressed in the form of dialogue and not imposing tariffs that are in breach of our Free Trade Agreements.

This discontent, this displeasure as you put it, was very clear from the beginning. The reason why we agreed with the Prime Minister [of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj] yesterday not to hold a press conference was because we agreed that we did not have any news to give you. Everything that we had said publicly was reconfirmed during the meeting and we had nothing to add to that.

When it comes to the Kosovo Security Force transformation, the European Union position is exactly the same as NATO. We continue to share the view with them that the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force should only be changed through an inclusive and gradual process in accordance with Kosovo constitution. We expect Kosovo to continue upholding its legal obligations, in particular its obligations under the first agreement concluded in Brussels in April 2013 and its security arrangements.

 

1. Regarding the resolution that the Kosovo Parliament adopted in which they actually prejudge the outcome of the dialogue: how do you see this resolution and why do we need the dialogue if we have the document which prejudges the outcome of this dialogue? How do you respond on the accusation of the Kosovo part that you are undermining the dialogue? Do you think that their unilateral measures - being taxes, being military laws - undermine the dialogue? What can you do about it?

The role of a facilitator in such a difficult dialogue is not to respond to accusations, it is to keep smiling, to be kind, to listen to everything, to respond to everything in private meetings, and to keep trying to facilitate a dialogue that if it was not difficult would not need facilitation, and would probably not even need to exist.

Yesterday, the meeting with the Prime Minister [of Kosovo, Ramush] Haradinaj was not on these lines. I did not hear any accusation neither to my role nor to the dialogue in the meeting. Otherwise, I guess they would have not come to meet me here.

I keep working, as Prime Minister Brnabić said, to try and create the space for the two sides to engage constructively in a dialogue that would be beneficial, that is beneficial to both sides, to the region, and to global security.

Sometimes it is easier, sometimes it is more difficult. I have to say, as the Prime Minister Brnabić said, no frustration on the pace of opening chapters, no frustration from my side on the pace of the dialogue - sometimes the dialogue moves forward more smoothly, sometimes we have obstacles.

I want to make it very clear: the dialogue belongs to the parties. The dialogue belongs to Belgrade and Pristina. Our role here, my personal role here is to facilitate it, to offer a space, to try and guarantee that the two sides respect each other, and respect the previous agreements, and implement them at full, and that the general conditions of respect of international law, of EU principles are taken into consideration.

But the pace of the dialogue, the agenda of the dialogue, the content of the dialogue, and the outcome of the dialogue belong only to the two parties involved. There is a level of ownership that I hope will bring the two parties to be ready again to come to Brussels and continue what was a fruitful process. I have seen progress made during the last year, and I can only hope that this can proceed.

For the first part of your questions, it is also up to the parties on how they internally organise their own delegations, their own preparations for the dialogue sessions. It is definitely not for the European Union, it is not definitely for me to tell neither the President of Serbia [Aleksandar Vučić] nor the President of Kosovo [Hashim Thaçi] how to gather internal consensus, how to have an internal dialogue that is happening in Serbia since quite some time now in different forms. Each side chooses how to organise its internal dialogue as the sides choose - under my facilitation but with ownership - what is on the agenda, and what is discussed or not.

 

1. There are two processes happening at the same time vis-à-vis Kosovo: a dialogue here in Brussels and a certain diplomatic offensive that Serbia organises elsewhere. Do you consider that whatever Serbia does about Kosovo outside the EEAS building is in the spirit of normalisation of relations and in the spirit of dialogue?

I said dialogue goes through difficult times and easier times - mainly difficult but when the most difficult times become a bit less difficult then that is the easiest part.

In the past - even in the recent past - there have been actions, statements or steps, also on the Serbian side, that have not helped to have the conducive environment for the dialogue to be held in a constructive manner. The point I always make and have made to the two sides is this: you can choose to enter into a cycle of this kind where provocation leads to provocation, and where none of the two sides gain anything concrete, neither for the citizens nor for the European Union perspective, nor for regional cooperation. And you are easily stuck. This is what everybody expects from the Balkans, that any controversy ends up being forever and fueling itself.

Or you can choose a different path which is the path in which I have seen the parties engaged in the dialogue in this last year and months, that can lead to a legally binding comprehensive agreement that would solve all issues on the table and that would benefit both sides, both Belgrade and Pristina, their people, the region, regional cooperation including economic development in the region, the European Union perspective of both and of the region, and it will benefit security and stability in the broader region, even far away from Europe.

It is their choice. As I said, it is not a European Union's decision but it is clear to me that dialogue needs both sides to believe in it, engage constructively in it, addressing with respect and open, frank attitudes all the difficult issues and trying to find a solution. We are there to facilitate this, we are right there to support this and I continue to believe that this can be possible.

[…]

I think this shows exactly and perfectly well the choice that is in front of the two sides. I do something, you do something; I respond to this, you respond to that. This has never led any region towards something good.

In the previous agreements there are parts that have not been implemented on one side, and parts that have not been implemented on the other side. We insist that both sides need to 100% implement the agreements that have already been reached.

Having said that, the point now is this: do the parties choose - both of them - in full honesty, to engage to find a comprehensive solution, meaning a solution to all the issues on the table once and for all, as difficult as it is and it will be? Or do they find more convenient - on one side or the other - to continue this game?

It is not a European Union's choice. We are there to help, we are there to facilitate, we are there to support.

Both say - and I believe it - they choose the European Union perspective. Then, our choice is to tell both of them, you know what needs be done to get closer or inside the European Union. It needs normalisation of relations, it needs that you face the difficulties that are on the table once and for all, as difficult as they are. Imagine: we do not even want to have border issues with the countries that are negotiating.

This to say that if you are serious on the European Union accession talks or perspective, you know what is it about. But it is not a medical doctor prescription to enter the European Union or to go towards the European Union, it is a choice. Again no imposition, ownership is under two sides. Both sides would have to do more. Our job is to say what can help, what cannot help, what can be the way forward, what is creating obstacles on the way forward.

Let me finish on a positive note, although it is not being optimistic, it is eing actually pessimistic. I think that the alternative to having a serious meaningful dialogue with real engagement from both sides is very dangerous and this is why I still believe that the dialogue can have a good result because I cannot think and I do not want to think of the alternative to that and this is being realistic. I think this is the only way forward.