LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: Either compromise or we will be destroying both ourselves and each other (TV Klan/RTS)

 

Everything up to us Serbs and Albanians, both our relations and our future – the choice is whether we will accept a compromise solution or whether we will be destroying both ourselves and each other, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told TV Klan in an interview. “As far as Serbia is concerned, we are ready for a compromise solution, and let the Albanians in Kosovo think about this,” said Vucic, adding: “For one side to accept everything that the other side wants – that will never happen.” Asked to comment the fact that there had been different ideas, including Thaci’s idea on attaching the so-called Presevo Valley, which had many opponents in Kosovo, including Albin Kurti, Vucic said that he (Vucic) had never spoken about Presevo, Bujanovac, and even less about Medvedja, asking – where did Medvedja come from, and that he tried not to talk about things that would make matters more difficult for somebody. “The territory that is debatable is Kosovo and I would like people to understand that more than half of the countries in the world has not recognized its independence,” said Vucic, reiterating that while Serbia is looking for a compromise solution, the Albanians are on the position “we are an independent state and you must recognize it”.

 

Vucic to Grenell: Compromise possible if Serbia’s legitimate interests are respected (Beta/Politika/RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told US envoy Ambassador Richard Grenell on Thursday that a compromise solution for the Kosovo issue can be reached if Serbia’s legitimate interests are respected. A press release from the president’s cabinet quoted Grenell as saying that both sides have to cooperate closely and quickly and look to the future. He added that the Trump administration strongly believes in economic development, the opening of new jobs and increasing opportunities for trade as the key elements of securing a lasting peace. Our goal is to bring our partners in Serbia and Kosovo to a comprehensive solution to resolve flashpoints in the region, he said.  Vucic is quoted as saying that Serbia is determined to resolve relations between Belgrade and Pristina through dialogue. “A compromise solution in the interest of the stability and future of the region can be achieved by taking into consideration Serbia’s legitimate interests,” the President said. Grenell also met with Serbian Chamber of Commerce President Marko Cadez who said that the ambassador wanted to know how the business community could help solve economic problems in the region. Cadez said that Grenell met with members of the Kosovo business community in Pristina in what he said is a new approach to resolving Belgrade-Pristina relations and the very complex political problem burdening the region. Grenell wanted to explain the economic consequences, he said.

 

Serbia remains active, reliable partner to OSCE (RTS/Beta/Tanjug)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that Serbia will continue to be a reliable partner to the OSCE Mission and will continue to support that organization's efforts to reach consensus on essential issues. Dacic said at a joint news conference with OSCE Secretary-General Thomas Greminger after their meeting that Serbia is very satisfied with its cooperation with this organization. The expert support provided by the OSCE to our bodies and institutions, especially when it comes to developing a Media Strategy, is very important. We also very much appreciate cooperation with the OSCE aimed at improving the election process, the Minister said.

He praised the cooperation of Serbian institutions with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija in difficult and complex circumstances and with Pristina violating the agreements reached and imposing various restrictions on the Serbian people, such as the ban on the use of Serbian documents in elections. According to Dacic, this means denying the right to vote to all those who do not recognize the independence of “Kosovo”, which is contrary to all conclusions and discussions in the dialogue in Brussels. Dacic said that the OSCE is an important regional security organization which faces a wide range of challenges. He underlined that Serbia has always advocated the strengthening of the OSCE capacity, and is ready to support all constructive proposals made by Secretary-General Greminger, as well as OSCE Chairman Miroslav Lajcak. Greminger said that Serbia remains an active partner in cooperation with this organization and that it has an important role in promoting the economic cooperation of the region. The OSCE Secretary-General expressed his expectation that our country will continue to use the resources and expertise with which the organization contributes to key reforms in Serbia.

He said that he had an open conversation with Dacic on various issues, such as the Media Strategy, the election process and constitutional amendments that should contribute to the independence of the judiciary.

 

Gojkovic meets IPU President Barron (Tanjug)

 

Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic met with the President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Gabriela Cuevas Barron who arrived in Belgrade for the 141st IPU Assembly hosted by the Serbian parliament from 13 to 17 October. Gojkovic said that Serbia is proud to be hosting parliamentary delegations from 150 countries from around the world, among them 80 parliament speakers and 60 deputy speakers, one of the IPU’s records. Gojkovic stressed that the large numbers of parliament speakers and participants are a good indicator that this will be an important political event. She pointed out that the IPU Assembly in Belgrade marks an important jubilee - the 130th anniversary of the organization and is also the first IPU Assembly to be held in a European country outside of Geneva in 20 years. Gojkovic emphasized the importance of the Belgrade Assembly in context of the debate on current global challenges and its overreaching theme - Strengthening international law: Parliamentary roles and mechanisms, and the contribution of regional cooperation. Gojkovic and Cuevas Barron emphasized the importance of interparliamentary dialogue and of the many events to be held under the auspices of the Assembly viz. the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and Forum of Young Parliamentarians and the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

Dialogue on election conditions in Serbia finished, will resume in mid-November (Beta)

 

The participants of a meeting between the authorities and a part of the opposition in the Serbian parliament, mediated by the European Parliament, announced on Oct. 10 that their next meeting will take place in mid-November. An MP of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, Vladimir Djukanovic, told reporters that it was concluded that such meetings were a good starting point and that some things will be made more concrete at the next meeting. Independent MP Djordje Vukadinovic stated that representatives of the ruling coalition acted as through everything was un order with the election conditions, and they just need some  polishing. "It is as though they do not comprehend the gravity of the situation," he said. Vukadinovic remarked that the authorities were participating in the talks for form's sake and that the elections would also be pro forma. "The talks under the auspices of European parliamentarians on election conditions are nothing

more than bad acting and directing by the authorities, to make it look like they are doing something before scheduling the elections, and we do not wish to participate in this farce," the leader of the Dveri Movement, Bosko Obradovic, said at a news conference in the Serbian parliament hall.

 

Authorities issue conclusions after MEP-mediated talks (N1)

 

The meeting between the Serbian authorities and part of the political opposition mediated by European Parliament envoys discussed proposals to improve election conditions, the role of the media, REM regulatory body and the public broadcaster (RTS), campaign financing, voter training and the transparency of the electoral rolls, organizers said in conclusions released at the end of the second day of the meetings. According to the conclusions, the government working group for cooperation with the OSCE and ODIHR informed the participants of the measures launched to improve elections conditions, including a ban on state officials using public resources for political campaigns, empowering the State Administration Ministry to maintain the electoral roll and train personnel for that purpose, personnel training recommendations for the Republican Election Commission (RIK), regulations on international and local election observers, allowing voters access to electoral rolls. The meeting participants were also informed of proposals to amend the laws on the Anti-Corruption Agency, on campaign financing and on state-owned companies, the need to precisely define political advertising and plans for parliament to organize a public hearing on the role of the Regulator Body for Electronic Media (REM), training for all election officials and a comprehensive campaign to inform the public.

Parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic said earlier that she would repeat her invitation to the talks to parliamentary parties and others who have political influence, adding that she is happy that most parties responded to the invitation by the former MEPs and herself. “This round was successful and it’s good to get back into parliament,” she said.

 

Brnabic joins SNS (N1)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Thursday that she had joined the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). I joined the SNS, she wrote in a post on her Instagram account.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Dodik: Principles advocated by Kurti would apply to other peoples in Balkans, primarily Serbs (RTRS)

 

Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik underlined that adoption of new principles in the Balkans, which Albin Kurti advocates for the Albanians in an attempt to create a ‘Greater Albania’, would apply to other peoples in this region, primarily the Serbs. Dodik stated that Republika Srpska (RS) supports maintaining of peace and stability, respect of all international obligations, primarily the Dayton Peace Agreement, and supports solving all open issues in the Western Balkans region in a peaceful way and through dialogue. “Creation of the Greater Albania would mean implementation of brand new principles in the Balkans,” Dodik assessed. Dodik said that double standards cannot be implemented in the Balkans and added: “Serb people does not and will never have understanding for that because if something is allowed to someone, as provocateur Kurti advocates for Shiptars i.e. Albanians, then why shouldn’t the same be allowed to Serbs”.

 

Komsic meets Austrian President: Reason why state-level authorities have not been formed are of political nature (N1)

 

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic met with President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna on Thursday. The two discussed political and social developments in Europe and assessed cooperation between B&H and Austria is excellent. Komsic expressed satisfaction with overall relations between the two countries and noted that the Republic of Austria is the largest investor in B&H. The Austrian President said that his country supports the accession of B&H and the whole region in the EU, and he expressed interest in the internal relations within the region as well as the processes in B&H. Komsic informed his host about the political situation in the country, stressing that the reason why the state-level authorities have not been formed a year after the elections are of political nature and that some political representatives do not respect laws and decisions regarding the country's Euro-Atlantic integration. Komsic also said that it is impossible for B&H to go backwards, especially concerning the NATO integration because such acts would be illicit and would represent a political problem. He noted that he does not see a reason because of which the NATO path should be stopped.

 

Bundalo: Launch initiative to widen “Small Schengen” (Srna)

 

Head of the PDP Caucus in the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament Perica Bundalo believes that the authorities in RS, that is, B&H, will launch an initiative to widen the “Small Schengen” zone which would additionally improve relations with Serbia. Bundalo has said that such an agreement or a declaration would additionally improve relations between RS/B&H and Serbia since a greater trust would be created, the flow of people and goods would increase, and the lives of citizens would be made easier. “Such declaration would put aside hot topics that burden the area,” Bundalo told Srna. He has stressed that he supports every form of regulation of mutual relations in the Balkans, such as the “Small Schengen” between Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia. Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia adopted in Novi Sad a declaration, that is, the “Small Schengen," stipulating a free flow of people, capital, services and goods.”

 

DF permanently leaves Election Reforms Committee (RTCG)

 

The DF Presidency has decided to permanently leave the Comprehensive Electoral Reform Committee, the political alliance said. The DF has announced that members of the committee from that political alliance – Strahinja Bulajic, Branka Bosnjak and Predrag Bulatovic - will resign their membership. "In making this decision, the DF was driven by the notorious fact that the DPS so far did not want dialogue and that poor electoral laws were fundamentally altered through this Committee. Confirmation of this are ten months that have been spent without dialogue and simultaneous work within the parliamentary majority, with the cooperation of NGOs and representatives of the academic community, defining unilateral solutions," the DF said. The special reason for leaving the Board is, as they say, the Basic Court’s prison sentence for the leaders and officials of the DF for a verbal incident in the Assembly after the February 15, 2017 session, when the parliamentary majority made an unconstitutional and illegal decision to order custody of Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic." The DF Presidency recalls that they "expressed their readiness for serious work and dialogue for substantive and comprehensive electoral reforms, but also for changing the environment in which the elections have taken place so far." "Considering all the actions regarding establishment of the Committee, the semi-annual unilateral work of the DPS and its partners and representatives of NGOs and academic community, as well as the apparent intention of the DPS to manipulate and not to conduct substantive dialogue leading to solutions at this point, the DF, by leaving permanently the Committee, notes that in this way it indicates that this body does not have the credibility to adopt solutions that would overcome the crisis. Also, we don't want to give DPS our legitimacy," the DF said. They state that they will present their solutions guaranteeing free, fair and equal elections to the public.

 

Bulgaria’s parliament approves declaration on conditional support for EU accession talks with North Macedonia, Albania (Nezavisen vesnik)

 

Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted on October 10 to approve a framework declaration put forward by the government on the EU accession of the Republic of North Macedonia and of Albania. The declaration had not been on the agenda of the October 10 sitting but was added at the proposal of MP Emil Hristov. It was sponsored by four out of five of the parliamentary groups, Prime Minister Boiko Borissov’s GERB, the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, government minority partner the United Patriots, and the National Assembly’s smallest group, Volya. It was approved by 129 votes in favor, with four against and one abstention. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting the day before, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva said that the declaration spelt out support for the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, because excluding them would be a mistake that could lead to instability in the region. In the case of the Republic of North Macedonia, the declaration sets out a number of conditions, including that North Macedonia does not conduct a policy backing claims of a “Macedonian minority” in Bulgaria. It calls for North Macedonia to initiate a process of victims of the communist regime in Yugoslavia who were repressed because of seeing themselves as Bulgarians. Bulgaria wants North Macedonia to delete texts from signs, plaques and buildings that encourage hatred towards Bulgaria, including those that use phrasing such as “Bulgarian fascist occupiers”. Before Bulgaria will agree to the opening of the first negotiating chapter, fulfilment of these and other conditions will be reviewed. Other conditions include that the Republic of North Macedonia must clearly state that the short version of its name has nothing to do with the geographical region of north Macedonia, part of which is in Bulgarian territory.

On Albania, the framework declaration requires that country to guarantee the rights of the Bulgarian national minority “to the fullest” including teaching of Bulgarian as a mother tongue, with no administrative obstacles, in places where the Bulgarian minority traditionally lives, as well as in other places.

 

Netherlands MPs file motion against Albania's EU talks (ADN)

 

Three MPs of Netherlands's parliament filed this Thursday motion aimed at blocking the opening of European Union accession negotiations with Albania. Regarding EU future, it seems like the more decision date of October 17-18 on negotiations' opening approaches, the stronger gets Netherlands's refusing attitude. In the meantime, the MPs' motion demands the government to vote against the progress of Albania towards its European path in the next meeting, even against saying "Yes" and putting additional criteria, like German Bundestag did. According to Netherlands, Albania needs to make more progress in the fight against corruption and organized crime. In conclusion, the final decision of Netherlands is expected to be made after France votes on October 17-18, at EU Foreign Ministers' meeting, where it is to be represented in ministerial level, because Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stef Blok and Prime Minister Mark Rutte will be in a visit to India.

 

Hahn: Postponement of opening of accession negotiations for Tirana, a huge political mistake (ATA)

 

European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn said that that opening EU membership talks with North Macedonia and rejecting Albania’s candidacy “would be a huge political mistake”. “I will do everything to avoid this” the European Commissioner said in a statement just a week before the EU leaders’ summit on 17 and 18 October. “EU member states often decide for reasons closely related to their domestic policy, but some signals make me optimistic,” Hahn added, noting that he has noticed France’s willingness to seek a solution. “There is still time to come to an agreement and this is also a matter of responsibility and trust for the EU as well,” Hahn said.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

Turkey is a vital partner of Serbia: President (Anadolu Agency, by Talha Ozturk,11 October 2019)

 

'I want to see more Turkish tourists, investors, and assets in Serbia,' says President Aleksandar Vucic

BELGRADE, Serbia - Praising Turkey’s efforts for bilateral stability and regional relations, Serbia’s president said Turkey is a vital partner of his state. "Turkey is one of the most important countries and partners for Serbia," President Aleksandar Vucic told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview. Evaluating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-day visit to Serbia on Oct. 7-8, Vucic said the two leaders reiterated that both countries were enjoying advanced bilateral political relations. Vucic emphasized that bilateral relations are based on mutual trust. “Although we have diverging opinions at some points, we consult and negotiate with each other. Thanks to President Erdogan, bilateral stability and relations with other actors in the region have improved significantly," said Vucic.

 

Trade volume is increasing

Serbia’s president said economic relations covered another significant part of Erdogan’s visit.

The trade volume between Turkey and Serbia was €800 million ($881.4 million) two years ago, Vucic said, while it is expected to reach €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) by the end of 2019. "I always underline an issue: Only Turks have agreed to invest in rural areas of Serbia. Others have invested in cities or highways. Therefore, I would like to thank Turkish investors very much."

He said tripartite relations between Turkey, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina were among the key part of Erdogan’s visit. Vucic stated that Turkish president “has also helped stabilize relations between countries in the region” and has made everyone assume more responsibility.

Serbia will take more steps to attract more Turkish people for touristic and cultural purposes, he said. "Therefore, it was important that we lay the foundations of the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway together. This project is very important for all of us. Without President Erdogan, I'm not sure how all this would have been solved. So, it was important that he visited Serbia," said Vucic.

 

Groundbreaking of Belgrade-Sarajevo highway

Vucic also emphasized the importance of the highway project connecting the Serbian capital Belgrade with Sarajevo, which is supported by Turkey. As part of his visit, Erdogan attended the groundbreaking of the highway. "If we had built highways about 25-30 years ago, there would be peace, not disasters or wars. I say this especially for Bosnians and Serbs. You will see the benefits of this for both Bosnians, Serbs and Croats. “We will see that we can build better highways and provide people with better living standards. When building a highway, it's not just about throwing asphalt on the ground. You also connect people who work and travel together. So people get closer. Then no one will be interested in creating any chaos, " said Vucic.

 

Serbia's relations with Turkey, Russia, and China

The president said that he will do his best to protect his state, national interests and people.

"What does that mean? It means an economic and political benefit," said Vucic. Also addressing Serbia’s path to European Union membership process, he said no one can guarantee that Serbia will become an EU member. “We are on our way to the EU, but we make our own decisions over with whom we will cooperate. We want to cooperate with Turkey, China, Russia, and other countries,” Vucic said. On Turkey-Serbia relations, the president said the two countries are “very good friends.” “So I want to see more Turkish tourists, investors and assets in Serbia,” Vucic said. Inviting Turkish people to Serbia, he told them: “Here you will feel at home.” Vucic concluded the interview urging Turkish people to look through over last 15-20 year of their country. “Then you decide who did a really good job for Turkey and Turkish people," said Vucic.

 

Czech President’s proposal to revoke Kosovo recognition rejected (Radio Prague International, 11 October 2019)

 

The Highest Constitutional Officials on Thursday rejected a proposal by President Miloš Zeman to revoke recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. He had promised during a visit to Serbia in early September to raise the issue at the official's next meeting. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and has been recognised by 100 members of the United Nations. Among those refusing to are Russia and China, with which Zeman has courted favour and tried to deepen ties, often against the Czech government’s wishes. Serbia and Kosovo signed an EU-brokered deal to mend ties in 2013, but those efforts stalled when Belgrade blocked Pristina last year from joining Interpol, triggering a tit-for-tat 100 percent tax on Serb imports. Since then, Belgrade has stepped up efforts to get countries to withdraw their recognition of Kosovo. The Highest Constitutional Officials include the president, prime minister, the heads of both houses of Parliament, and the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence and the Interior. In a statement after the meeting, Minister Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček (Social Democrats) stated that all speakers had agreed that position of the Czech Republic regarding Kosovo has not changed.

 

France Opposes EU Membership Talks with Albania, North Macedonia (Euronews/Reuters, 10 October 2019)

 

France told its European Union peers this week it was against launching membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania for now, diplomatic sources told Reuters, casting a shadow over the countries' ambition to integrate with the West. More than half of the EU's 28-member states, as well as its top officials in Brussels, are pushing to reward the two Balkan states for reforms by agreeing to start accession talks. They warn of Russia, China or Turkey taking advantage of a "strategic vacuum" in the troubled region should the EU fail to maintain tangible prospects for the countries there. But Paris says the EU faces too many challenges right now to let in two more states from the Balkans, a region still scarred by wars fought in the 1990s and struggling with crime and corruption. France says the EU needs to reform from the inside first to tackle with greater vigor and unity such challenges as climate change and migration, and that the two hopefuls must carry out further reforms before the start of talks can be approved. "They are not there yet. We are asking them to make additional efforts," a French official said. "Negotiation cannot be opened in October 2019, we will need to reassess the situation somewhere in 2020."

 

Government of Bulgaria adopted a list of more than 20 conditions and a timetable for North Macedonia to fulfill them during its EU accession talks (The Sofia Globe, 10 October 2019)

 

Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted on October 10 to approve a framework declaration put forward by the government on the EU accession of the Republic of North Macedonia and of Albania, stating support while spelling out the conditions on which this support rides. “Bulgaria welcomes and supports the recommendation of the European Commission to start pre-accession negotiations with both the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania,” according to the document, posted on the Bulgarian government website, and which is to be tabled in the National Assembly in Sofia for debate. At the same time, Bulgaria should not allow the integration of the Republic of North Macedonia into the EU to be accompanied by European legitimation of a state-sponsored anti-Bulgarian ideology. “Rewriting the history of part of the Bulgarian people after 1944 is one of the pillars of the anti-Bulgarian ideological construction of Yugoslav totalitarianism.” Opening negotiations should not be interpreted as a guarantee of membership, but rather as a positive driver for accelerating reforms, strengthening the rule of law and maintaining good neighbourly relations, the document says. “Progress towards EU membership depends on individual efforts to meet the Copenhagen criteria and the conditionality of the Stabilization and Association Process, including good neighbourly relations. Good neighbourly relations are of horizontal importance and should be evaluated at every stage in the accession process of the candidate countries.” On North Macedonia, the documents says that the country’s accession to the EU is an important step in ensuring the peace, stable and sustainable development and prosperity of the region. Bulgaria was the first to recognize the country’s independence and has always supported in principle and consistently its European and Euro-Atlantic perspective, the document says. Bulgaria’s consistent support for the European prospects of the Republic of North Macedonia was also reflected in the Joint Declaration of February 22 1999, in the Memorandum of Co-operation in the field of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and in the Treaty of Friendship, Neighbourliness and Cooperation of 2017, “which for us is a solid legal basis for good neighbourly relations and co-operation, in accordance with the highest European standards”. The treaty was expected to solve the decades-old problems and give impetus and new perspective to the development of bilateral relations.

The signing and implementation of this treaty was a condition for Bulgaria’s support for Nato and EU membership of the Republic of North Macedonia. “In this context, the strict and complete implementation of the letter and spirit of the Treaty of Friendship, Neighbourliness and Co-operation with the Republic of North Macedonia in a manner that guarantees its irreversibility is crucial and remains a prerequisite for progress in the country’s EU accession process.” The Bulgarian position on the importance of maintaining good neighbourly relations and the implementation of the treaty is invariably represented at all levels and formats. This has led to its being reflected in a number of EU documents, the document says. “In this regard, while maintaining its consistency, Bulgaria will insist in the text of the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council on October 15 2019 that it is clearly stated that the implementation of the good-neighbourliness treaty will form part of the conditionality applicable in the membership negotiations. Bulgaria will also present a national declaration, annexed to the Council conclusions, which will build on this Framework Position, the statement said. In the course of the negotiations on these conclusions, a tendency should be laid down to set the conditions for convening the first Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) with the Republic of North Macedonia.

“Bulgaria’s agreement to hold the first IGC will be linked to real progress in implementing the letter and spirit of the Friendship, Neighbourliness and Co-operation Treaty, including with regard to the activities of the Joint Expert Committee on Historical and Educational Affairs.

The document says that real progress means: The Republic of North Macedonia should “suspend and refrain from” pursuing a policy, no matter what form, of supporting and promoting claims for recognition of the so-called. “Macedonian minority” in Bulgaria. The Republic of North Macedonia “unreservedly and promptly” should align its positions and actions in international organisations and forums with Article 11 of the Neighbourliness Treaty, clearly stating that there is no historical or demographic reason to seek minority status for any group of citizens of the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The Council of Europe’s multilateral formats and monitoring mechanisms should not be instrumentalised by the Republic of North Macedonia to exert pressure on Bulgaria on issues related to the rights of persons belonging to minority groups, the document says. The Republic of North Macedonia should declare, with a note verbal to the UN member states, that adherence to the constitutional changes made to the Republic of North Macedonia in accordance with the Prespa Agreement will be implemented in parallel with strict adherence to the to the Treaty with the Republic of Bulgaria in its entirety, incl. also with regard to the “language clause” of the treaty. The neighbouring country should state in a note that the use of the short name provided for in the Prespa Agreement refers only to the political entity of the Republic of North Macedonia and not to the geographical region of northern Macedonia, part of which is within Bulgaria. It should activate a process of rehabilitation of the victims of the Yugoslav Communist regime, repressed because of their Bulgarian self-consciousness, and initiate a process of illuminating the security services of the former Yugoslavia for the assistants of the present-day Republic of North Macedonia; The document calls for North Macedonia to take systematic measures to remove signs and inscriptions on monuments, memorial plaques and buildings of texts that openly hate Bulgaria, such as those containing qualifications as the “Bulgarian fascist occupier”. The document also sets out a number of goals for the joint expert committee on historical and educational mattters, including reaching agreement on Gotse Delchev and the Ilinden Uprising. Political figures, representatives of North Macedonia state institutions, and media financed from the state budget should base their statements and comments on the events and figures agreed about the commission on the texts agreed by the commission, the document said. At a further stage in the membership negotiations, Bulgaria will insist on including guarantees in the EU’s negotiating positions on separate chapters that the Neighbourliness Treaty will continue to be implemented by the Republic of North Macedonia.

The document, in the section on Albania, says that starting negotiations with only one of the two neighbouring countries could have negative consequences not only for the other, but also for the regional aspect. The overall assessment of the annual report on Albania is positive and notes that the country has continued to implement important reforms and concrete results that will allow it to start EU membership negotiations, the document says. “We expect the adoption of secondary legislation on the implementation of the law on minorities, and we expect the rights of the Bulgarian national minority to be maximally guaranteed, including the study, without placing administrative barriers, of literary Bulgarian as a mother tongue in the regions traditionally inhabited by them…but everywhere else in Albania where they currently live. “We also expect the population census to be conducted to the highest European standards and to reflect real ethnicity.” The document says that Bulgaria will work for Council conclusions to prepare a decision to open membership negotiations with both the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania. “At the same time, if there is no consensus on the opening of negotiations with both parties, Bulgaria will comply with the Council’s consensus decision.” Unanimity among the 28-member states is required to launch accession talks. EU ministers will discuss the matter again in Luxembourg on Tuesday before national leaders meet in Brussels for a summit on Oct.17-18. The move was already delayed repeatedly. "This is very frustrating for most of the member states. Our credibility is at stake," said a diplomat from a country willing to open the doors to the Western Balkan candidates. "North Macedonia and Albania have done a lot. Yes, a lot more remains to be done but opening membership talks is just the first step, the process would take years and they would have to fulfil all the criteria before they are allowed in." Sources said the Netherlands and Denmark were also clearly opposed to Albania's bid when EU ambassadors discussed the matter behind closed doors in Brussels on Thursday, though the Dutch have signaled potential flexibility on North Macedonia. Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said on Tuesday Skopje needed to pass legislation to set up an independent public prosecution body. "For the Netherlands that would have to pass in order to open accession talks," he said.