LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic with Orban in Budapest (RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest. Vucic will attend a festive dinner hosted by Orban for him and the PMs of the Czech Republic and Slovakia - Andrej Babis and Peter Pellegrini.

On the eve of the meeting, Vucic said that he considered Orban a sincere friend of Serbia and that he would discuss with him how to further enhance bilateral relations, which he said had already reached the level of the best in the history of the two countries. He will also discuss about economic co-operation with Serbia, the European path of Serbia and the Kosovo issue. Vucic said he would ask Hungary to help Serbia regarding Kosovo, adding that Orban is a man of his word.

The President of Serbia will participate in the Third Demographic Summit in Budapest on Thursday to address conference participants. How to stop negative demographic trends, boost birth rates and stop the departure of young working age population from Hungary, Serbia and other European countries - this is being discussed at the demographic summit. While in Budapest, Vucic will visit the Nikola Tesla Serbian-language kindergarten, primary school, grammar school and boarding school.

 

Dacic: Number of UN Members that recognized Kosovo to be less than half by year’s end (Tanjug)

 

Serbia aims to reduce the number of countries that recognize Kosovo’s independence to bellow a half of the UN member states and that will happen by the end of the year, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said at a parliament session on Wednesday, news agencies carried. Dacic said that the 15 countries that withdrew recognition of Kosovo make up eight percent of a total number of votes in the UN. These countries have 25 times the area of Serbia and eight to nine times the population, he elaborated. Dacic said that there would be more states that “will withdraw recognition of Kosovo” adding and that “Serbia does not give up on lobbying, because it is of national and state interest.”

“The number will drop below 50 percent of the UN member states very soon, by the end of this year, and rest assured that Kosovo won’t become a member of Interpol, so they should not embarrass themselves” he said.

Dacic addressed the Parliament session where the deputies voted to abolish diplomatic visas for Paraguay, Miramar Union, and the Dominican Republic and the citizens of Surinam.

 

Moscow will insist on Resolution 1244 regarding Kosovo, Russian envoy says (FoNet)

 

The Russian ambassador to Serbia Alexandar Botsan – Kharchenko said on Wednesday that if his country was involved in solving the Kosovo issue, Moscow would insist on international law and still valid UN Security Council Resolution 1244 “or everything else would be in vain” the FoNet news agency reported.

He told the Russian Sputnik media outlet that he did not see a favorable international situation for solving the Kosovo issue right now, "especially since the US and some other countries want a quick result." Russia is a UN Security Council member and “we take a serious approach to every topic within the Council’s jurisdiction, and Kosovo is one of them. Everything depends on the countries, people, efforts, wishes and goodwill. If all of that exists then the key states, and Serbia of course can and must solve that issue within the intentional law framework and based on the Resolution 1244 which still has the crucial role in resolving Kosovo problem" the ambassador said.

Botsan – Kharchenko added that in case the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on the normalization of relations format was changed, it should be remembered that Russia is a UN Security Council member and “that we take a serious approach to every topic within the Council’s jurisdiction, and Kosovo is one of them."

"We must and want to take part, and we surely will consider it if Belgrade asks for it, but we don’t want and must not participate in something, some talks which are not founded in the international law” the ambassador said. He added that Moscow “will decisively looking for basics and pre-conditions within the framework of the Resolution 1244 because anything else would be in vain. It would be a needless repetition of a damaging process which won’t bear fruit” said Botsan – Kharchenko.

 

Fourth roundtable between authorities and opposition (Beta)

 

The fourth roundtable within the Dialogue on 2020 Elections at the Faculty of Political Science (FPN) in Belgrade will focus on the results achieved since the first meeting and discuss the recommendations discussed in the previous two panels on campaign financing and media access, organizers said in a release. Although it was announced that the meeting would take place on Wednesday, the fourth roundtable will be held today (Thursday), but the big question is whether any of the representatives of the real opposition will attend it. Namely, no major breakthrough has been observed on the first three meetings of the authorities and the opposition, and representatives of the governing parties were openly saying that there would be no change. As the previous roundtables, the debate on Thursday will also be moderated by the Chatham House rule, organizers said. The meetings are organized by the FPN of the University and the Open Society Foundation, on the parliamentary and local elections that should take place in spring 2020, whose boycott announced most of the opposition. “The goal of the next round table is to review solutions in areas which have been agreed by participants and could be implemented as lasting or transitional solution in the period before the next parliamentary and local elections” reads the press release.  The organizers said that all relevant political parties have been invited along with civil society organizations, media organizations and experts.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Izetbegovic: Prominent IC representatives are working on setting of continuation of talks (Dnevni avaz)

 

One-month deadline, which was agreed for authority formation through the Agreement signed by SDA, HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and SNSD leaders, is expiring today (Thursday) and due to disputes regarding the Annual National Program (ANP), the Presidency of B&H failed to appoint Zoran Tegeltija as Chairman-designate of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). In statement to the daily, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic said that SDA deems there is no alternative to continuation of the negotiations and searching for a compromise. He stressed that he does not know what SNSD and Milorad Dodik have planned, adding that they used ultimatums, blockades, threats and Izetbegovic hopes they will come to their senses and give up on the scenarios they announced. “However, it is not impossible and it is even likely that sooner or later, they will try the part of the plan which they were threatening with. We need to be prepared to anything”, said Izetbegovic. He noted that countries, guarantees of the Dayton Peace Agreement, have to wake up and come up with a reaction to a possible attack on the Peace Agreement. Asked if the negotiations will continue in the following days, Izetbegovic said that the talks can continue today. “Some very prominent representatives of the international community (IC) are working intensively on that for the last couple of days” said Izetbegovic. Asked about the scenario if Dodik continues with his threats and whether SDA will search for new partners, Izetbegovic said: “We already have one. We function rather well in the CoM with SDS and PDP. We will continue to do so until some maturity is demonstrated by SNSD. Dodik is used to dominate, to have other withdraw before him. That is not possible with us, we are fair and well-intended, but we never withdrew before anyone. That is not encoded in our political gene, we cannot do that. Dodik will have to learn some manners. Most notably the respect, respecting of the Constitution, laws, partners, neighbors” said Izetbegovic.

 

RS President Cvijanovic: RS will not give up on interests and will of citizens for political Sarajevo (RTRS)

 

The deadline for the formation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) authorities set by the leaders of SDA, SNSD and HDZ B&H expires today and it is very likely that there will be no formation of the new B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) soon. After Chairman of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic claimed that Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik is blocking the agreement because of Russia, Republika Srpska (RS) President Zeljka Cvijanovic answered. Cvijanovic said that the RS will not sacrifice its political stances, interests, the will of the people and the resolution on military neutrality adopted by the RS National Assembly (RSNA) because of political Sarajevo. ˝The deadline expires tomorrow (Thursday) and it shows that many deadlines for B&H expired˝ said Cvijanovic. She added that many RS citizens would say the same and many do not have much faith in B&H. Cvijanovic said that the RS citizens are losing their faith in B&H mostly because of the political games of Bosniak leaders, who are manipulating the political will of citizens with the issue of the Annual National Program (ANP). She stressed that Dodik represents the Serb people, unlike Komsic who does not represent anyone. Cvijanovic added that the politicians in B&H are small players who cannot play big matches on the international political scene. ˝We are not there when it comes to the USA or Russia, we are only interested in the right of RS citizens˝ said Cvijanovic. She said that the RS will not give up on its position in regard to the NATO path of B&H and conditioning will not lead to the RS giving up on its military neutrality. “For almost a year, we have had a problem with full implementation of election results. That is simply unimaginable” Cvijanovic noted.

 

Niksic and Radoncic agree that snap elections would be best solution to current deadlock in formation of authorities in B&H (TV1)

 

Leaders of SDP Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and SBB B&H Nermin Niksic and Fahrudin Radoncic respectively met in Sarajevo on Wednesday and agreed that snap elections would be the best and perhaps the only solution to the current deadlock in formation of the authorities in B&H. Niksic and Radoncic agreed that representatives of their parties in the B&H Parliament should ask for amendments to the B&H Election Law as soon as possible which, besides introduction of electronic voting and video surveillance at polling stations, would enable the introduction of snap elections. Niksic and Radoncic agreed it would be pointless to have local elections next year if they cannot be free. In addition, they said it is unacceptable that a political party can change 6,500 members of polling stations 24 hours before the elections.

 

Dismantling of half of Parliament is futile (Dnevni avaz, EuroBlic)

 

Chair of the Presidency of B&H Zeljko Komsic stated for Dnevni avaz, that there are various possible scenarios for solving of the crisis related to the formation of authorities. According to Komsic, the scenarios include: implementation of the agreement on formation of authorities signed by SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic; creation of a new parliamentary majority; maintaining of the current situation and, finally, to have the House of Representatives (HoR) of B&H dismantle itself or have the Office of the High Representative (OHR) do it, after which new elections would have to be held.

Following Komsic’s suggestion, experts said that B&H House of Representatives (HoR) cannot be dismissed as in line with the Constitution of B&H while dismissal of B&H House of Peoples (HoP) would be pointless having in mind it does not vote on formation of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H.

MP Lazar Prodanovic (SNSD) said that there is no mechanism to dismantle B&H HoR but he noted that this matter should certainly be regulated by the Constitution of B&H and Law on Elections of B&H. “When it comes to B&H HoP, the situation is quite different. It can dismantle itself by a decision of the majority which includes representatives of all peoples” Prodanovic said and added that the second option is for the Presidency of B&H to adopt a decision on dismissal of B&H HoP as in line with the Constitution of B&H with consensus of all three members of the Presidency of B&H. “If there is no (consensus of all three members), then it is possible for only two members to adopt such decision” Prodanovic explained. However, Prodanovic warned that this would change nothing important at the political scene of B&H and concluded by saying: “It would be pointless to do that. However, it is the fact that it is necessary to create mechanisms for implementation of snap elections in B&H, in case executive authorities are not formed within certain deadline. This is beyond any doubt necessary. Had this mechanism existed, then I am convinced that the deadline for formation of executive authorities would not be violated in most of the cases”.

MP Mladen Bosic (SDS) said that B&H HoP is under blockade as it is now and he too said that B&H HoP plays no role in the formation of B&H CoM.

Spokesperson for the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H Maksida Piric said that questions related to dismantling of B&H HoP should be addressed to BiH HoR and, with regard to early elections, Piric cited the Law on Elections of B&H which stipulates that early elections shall be held within 90 days from the date of dismantling. “Mandates of members of bodies elected in early elections shall last until expiration of current mandates of bodies elected in regular elections” Piric added.

 

Croatia

 

Slovenia says accepting border arbitration would facilitate Croatia's Schengen entry (Hina)

 

The Slovenian government would find it "much easier" to support Croatia's Schengen Area entry if Zagreb accepted the border arbitration ruling, President Borut Pahor said in Sibenik on Wednesday. Speaking after meeting with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Pahor said he did not wish to prejudge the Slovenian government's decision on Croatia's Schengen entry, "but I think it would probably be easier if Croatia met its obligation from the arbitration ruling."

Once the European Commission finds that Croatia meets all the Schengen criteria, its entry to the area must be supported by all member states. "Dialogues such as these can contribute to resolving this issue...I'm not only very much in favor of this dialogue, it existed also ten years ago" Pahor said, speaking of his past cooperation, as Slovenia's prime minister, with Croatia's then PM Jadranka Kosor. "The circumstances were demanding then, even people on both sides of the border were quarrelling. Today it's much easier and we can indeed find a solution" he said, adding that he saw no alternative to dialogue.

Grabar-Kitarovic said Croatia met all the technical requirements for joining Schengen and that all inspections so far showed that this was being done in time, in line with all regulations.

"I believe in the support of all member states when a decision will be made on joining the Schengen Area as that's in everyone's interest. That would strengthen Croatia's guarding of the external border" she said. "I'm always repeating that Croatia and Slovenia are friendly countries, that we can rise above these outstanding issues" she added.

The three presidents met in Sibenik which was the venue of the 6th annual meeting of the three countries' heads of state. Grabar-Kitarovic, Pahor and Van der Bellen also talked about the EU's future, Croatia's EU presidency in the first half of next year, the future of Southeast Europe, the Three Seas Initiative and climate change.

They supported the opening Albania's and North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic integration negotiations as soon as possible, as well as granting Bosnia and Herzegovina EU candidate status. Grabar-Kitarovic said they believed it was "absolutely necessary" to open negotiations with Skopje and Tirana by October.

 

Hot autumn awaits Balkan region. Foreign embassies in fear of Kosovo scenario (Jutarnji list)

 

Jutarnji list analyzed political scene of both Belgrade and Pristina, announcing possible "boiling political fall". The paper reminds that Kosovo will face general election in a month, in the same time, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced government reconstruction, while media speculate on possible new elections.

Jutarnji.hr assesses that the situation in Kosovo is rather tense. The head of radical party Vetëvendosje!, "controversial and indocile" Albin Kurti is among the favorites for assuming the post of Prime Minister.

Also, the Kosovo elections are expected to bring a government ready for a new round of talks with Serbia, because Brussels is already fed up with the tensions between Belgrade and Pristina. The Croatian newspaper, however, estimates that the outcome of the October elections could, as things stand, bring about a situation that could complicate relations, or radicalize things further.

For the moment, Jutarnji explains, Kosovo's Albanian parties are in the process of forming coalitions, as it is clear that no one will have the power to rule alone. Everyone rejects the possibility of co-operation with Hashim Thaci's Kosovo Democratic Party and now already a former Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli.

The outcome of the talks between Albin Kurti and the Democratic League of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, is rather uncertain as they fight over who will assume prime minister's role. They both want that role because their coalition has a real chance of winning.

Kurti's position is certainly stronger in that alliance, as he does not answer to anyone. "The embassies in Pristina are horrified by such division, as he is certainly one of the few Kosovo politicians who is not subject to international influence and is not under control. He is an extremist," the Croatian newspaper said.  If Kurti wins the election, taking the leading role in Kosovo, a scenario for his two major competitors Haradinaj and Thaci of striking new alliance out of necessity is quite possible.  But, as Jutarnji put it, "it is not only Albanians that face with problems. Things are boiling with the Serbs, too, because they are also divided into several fractions, two of them being leading ones. The one with the Serbian List and the one against it.

 

Montenegro

 

Djukanovic: We want more investors from the USA (CDM)

 

President of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, welcomed Congressional Delegation of the USA headed by Senator Lindsey Graham. President Djukanovic acquainted congressmen with the current affairs in Montenegro, while highlighting commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic value system, consistency in defending multi-ethnic democracy, continuous improvement of the rule of law and contribution to the stability of the region, as well as dynamic economic growth.

“We want to see more investors from the USA and other NATO members” said Djukanovic.

Djukanovic thanked Graham for his visit and for the attention the USA and Congress devote to Montenegro. Washington has significantly contributed to the preservation of peace, strengthening multi-ethnic harmony, democracy and implementation of social reforms.

“When we regained independence, we said we wanted to bring Montenegro back on the track of European and Euro-Atlantic values. Our vision was clear and we had strength to achieve that” said Djukanovic. He emphasized the role Congress played in our endeavors, and particularly the contribution of the late Senator John Mc Cain. President also stressed the importance of more dynamic integration of WB since it would maintain EU’s enthusiasm about the enlargement policy. “We really firmly believe that WB belongs to the EU and that this region could become integral part of the European system of values” said Djukanovic.

Senator Graham and other members of the delegation thanked Djukanovic for the reception and the warmth they have been shown, while praising Montenegro’s achievements and its capability to find its identity in very adverse surroundings. The Congress expressed readiness to help Montenegro strengthen its role in the region. American congressmen showed interest in further promotion of the benefits of NATO membership, third-parties influence, and economic development of Montenegro.

 

Graham: Montenegro’s future is with developed democracies (Antena M)

 

Senior United States Senator, Lindsey Graham, said that European countries should invest more in the economic development of Montenegro. He said this after the meeting with Ivan Brajovic, president of Montenegrin Parliament. Asked if he thinks US administration shares concern over Chinese investments in Montenegro, Graham said European countries should assist in Montenegro’s development. “Business with China is a business decision, but Montenegro’s sees its future with us, with the west and more developed democracies” said Graham. He pointed out he was glad that Montenegro had made a decision to be independent and that Montenegrin soldiers were deployed in Afghanistan. “Your next goal is to be member of the EU and you will be faced with two big challenges along the way – rule of law reforms. We are pleased with your efforts and we encourage you to do more” said the Senator. He stressed that the next big test for Montenegro would be 2020 elections. The world will be watching. “If everything goes well in the elections, it will be a great signal to the EU and the world that Montenegro is now a well-established democracy. It is very important that we defeat the forces that are working against us and trying to undermine Montenegro. For the future of the region as a whole. It is our hope that in 2020 you can prove to yourselves and Montenegrins and to the world that democracy is here to stay forever” said Graham.

“Montenegro is a reliable partner which has fulfilled its tasks within NATO alliance” said Brajovic. “Meeting with the US delegation was an opportunity for us to inform them about how much we have done. US presence in WB is very important for us” said Brajovic. “Everybody should take part in the dialogue”, Brajovic said that the Government “is constantly trying to meet citizens’ expectations. “Those stories about technical government are not necessary. Hopefully, we will be able to end that story on the Committee on Electoral Legislation very soon and that we will adopt everything international observers asked us” said Brajovic.

 

Bregu: Without WB, the EU is incomplete (CDM)

 

Without Western Balkans (WB), the EU will be an unfinished business, said Majlinda Bregu, General Secretary-General of the Regional Cooperation Council during panel dedicated to WB which was held within 14th Bled Strategic Forum.

“The price of stagnation and further delaying decision on opening negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia is very high. Failing to open negotiations would lead to instability, immigration, disruptive influence of other geopolitical actors. Every positive moment could easily be lost if problems are neglected. Nobody can afford to waste any more time- people are leaving. We must change that and we must transform our societies. The EU should see this as an alert sign” said Bregu.

With the aim of accelerating cooperation, governments in the region have obliged to put REA into practice.

“We’ve already achieved success in the area of digital technology with Regional Roaming Agreement, which means that we could progress when there’s a political will. On the other side, as for the mobility and Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications, what would be the purpose of such agreement if people from Kosovo aren’t allowed to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina without visa? Therefore, REA might be nice political framework, but it has to be strengthened by political element” said Bretgu. As she said, regional cooperation isn’t technical but rather political process, based on political will of governments and citizens who support that process more than governments. “Support for the EU membership reaches 56%. People believe that they will be better with their neighbors. In order for that to happen, we must all share the same vision” pointed out Bregu.

 

Republic of North Macedonia

 

Expectations of getting a date for the start of negotiations with the EU (Nezavisen vesnik)

 

After ten European Commission recommendations that we are ready to start accession negotiations, we expect a positive decision, Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said at a strategic conference in Bled, Slovenia, which concluded its works. Dimitrov said accelerated European integration of northern Macedonia and the region into the EU is necessary. The chief of diplomacy of Northern Macedonia spoke about the importance of the EU and its values for the region, but recommended that no time should be wasted. “This case must not be dismissed and it is the right time for a critical step. Time is running out and in this context, I suggest that in addition to words, deeds should be done” Dimitrov said.

The Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu, has stated that the European Union will always be a work that is not completed without the Western Balkans. She warned that the price of stagnation and further postponement of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia poses risks. “Failure to open negotiations would lead to instability, emigration, nonconstructive influence of other geopolitical actors” Bregu said.

The government committee in Skopje for the country’s EU membership negotiations held a constitutive meeting to discuss models for involving the civil sector in the negotiation process.

“We are forming the bodies of the negotiating structure, on the eve of the major decision to start negotiations in October this year”, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bujar Osmani wrote on Facebook. The Committee is the highest body with regard to the coordination of the process of EU accession negotiations.

 

Albania

 

Kostelancik conveyed US strong messages to the Albanian politicians (Radio Tirana)

 

The political crisis in Albania has brought to Tirana the new Director of Central and Southern Europe at US Department of State, who during his one-day visit held several meetings with opposition leaders, Parliament Speaker Ruci, Secretary General of the Socialist Party and finally Prime Minister Rama. David Kostelancik did not come to Albania as a negotiator for the crisis, but to gather facts and, above all, to convey a United States message to Albania. In all the meetings, the senior US State Department official was accompanied by US Embassy Task Force Leyla Moses-Ones. At the end of the meetings, there have been three strong messages of the senior United States official; the first the Government to reach out to the opposition to resolve the crisis, the second is related to the Electoral Reform to be made as soon as possible and the Reform in the Justice System, the implementation of which should not be hindered by any political force.

 

Beyer confirms Germany’s stance against ideas for border change in the Balkans (Radio Tirana)

 

Peter Beyer, a member of the German parliament stated on Tuesday that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is of great importance for integration, confirming Germany’s stance against ideas for border change in the Balkans. Beyer visited Pristina, where he had a meeting with the outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.

After these meetings, the German MP said: “First we expect the election results, but despite this the general attitude is that the Western Balkans should be part of the European Union and it is in the interest of Europe but also of Berlin. That is why it is very important to carry on talks with Serbia, and this message was also conveyed during my stay in Serbia in a meeting with President Aleksandar Vucic”.

As regards Matthew Palmer’s appointment as United States Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Beyer stated that Mr. Palmer knows the region well, but despite this, the European Union should appoint a special representative for the Kosovo-Serbia talks, who with a special team would contribute constructively and honestly for the continuation of the negotiation process. Belgrade-Kosovo talks are expected to resume after the elections in Kosovo.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Bled Strategic Forum: EU urged to deliver, Western Balkans to show more solidarity (EWB)

 

“All of the people sitting here are closer to my heart than people from Finland, Lithuania or some other EU member, we are all brethren”, stated Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić with a hint of humor during the panel with his Western Balkan colleagues at this year’s Bled Strategic Forum, underlining one of its main themes – the need for Western Balkan countries to show more support to each other at their respective European integration paths.

Following Behgjet Pacolli‘s newest call for the EU to grant Kosovo visa liberalization during his address to the panel, Dačić expressed his support to this policy, as well as opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania.

He was joined by his Montenegrin colleague Srdjan Darmanovic who stated that, while his country is a frontrunner, there will be no success story in the Western Balkans if all of its countries do not advance on their European path.

“Who of the Western European politicians would risk changing the name of their countries [like the government of North Macedonia]? Neither North Macedonia nor Albania, nor any of us are Scandinavian democracy, but they have they have undertaken a serious vetting process of judges in Tirana, so much so that it crippled their judiciary” Darmanovic explained his support to opening negotiations with regional partners.

Following the endorsement of his colleagues, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov once again made the case for his country.

“Children born in the year in which we have signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement are turning 18 this year. Since 2009, European Commission has recommended opening of negotiations with Macedonia” repeated Dimitrov, pointing at the better scores that country has gotten in the past few years in various democratic indexes.

Even in the most recent controversy around the Special Prosecutor, which has left the bitter taste in everybody’s mouth, the institutions have reacted, he pointed out. North Macedonia is not asking for lowering of the standards, just that everybody respects the rules of the “game”, Dimitrov stressed. “They need be strict with us, but if we deliver, they should deliver”, he stated, reiterating the point previously made by Pacolli.

Szijjártó: I hope there will be a Commissioner for Enlargement in the next Commission

Also participating at the panel was the Foreign Minister of Hungary Péter Szijjártó, whose country is allegedly eyeing the position of the Enlargement Commissioner. He once again expressed his country’s support for speeding up the process, as well as hope that the such portfolio will be established. “Enlargement is in the interest of the EU when it comes to politics, security, economy. Everybody agrees about that publicly, but when 28 of us [Foreign Ministers] get together, I am in the minority” said Szijjártó, criticizing the outgoing Commission for, in his view, failing on this issue.

Dacic was also critical of the Commission, saying that the institution should made clear to Serbia whether accession is on the table in the near future. According to him, North Macedonia has not been rewarded appropriately for resolving a long standing bilateral issue. “What should Belgrade and Pristina expect then?” asked Dacic.

Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina Igor Crndak and Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General Majlinda Bregu agreed on the need for EU to show more engagement when it comes to the region. “I really can find it hard to keep the EU-narrative alive. This is not a technocratic process, this is a political decision, you need to be brave for this”, stated Bregu, adding that more than one third of the population has moved out of the region in the last twenty years and that this trend cannot continue.

Palmer: United States has decided to demonstrate responsiveness. If the EU can be accused for the lack of responsiveness, that cannot be said for the United States, at least in the past few days – this is, at least, how the newly-appointed Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer has interpreted the revival of this position. “We have heard that the US was not sufficiently engaged, so we are now competing for positive influence and using it for the goal of integrating Western Balkans in the Euro-Atlantic institutions, that is the strategic interest of the EU” stated Palmer. According to him, immediate goals of the United States in the region are the return of Belgrade and Pristina to the negotiating table, opening of accession negotiations for North Macedonia and Albania, preferably in October, and deep reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the country’s commitment to European future.

The panel, entitled “Western Balkans – Europeisation, Democratisation, Shared Responsibility”, was organized in partnership with Central European Initiative and moderated by Goran Svilanovic, former RCC General Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.