LOCAL PRESS

 

Serbian Prime Minister arrives in Kosovo (FoNet/N1/KoSSev)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, who is paying a one-day visit to Kosovo, arrived this morning in Kosovska Mitrovica. “Today I wish to send from Kosovo and Metohija a clear and simple message of peace, stability and tolerance, and to repeat Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s message that we will always stand by our people in Kosovo and Metohija,” said Brnabic addressing the people in Kosovska Mitrovica. “We will continue to fight for our people, its dignity, and also to see prosperity and an increasingly better quality of life here in Kosovo and Metohija,” said the Prime Minister. She said the next item on the “agenda”, which she will repeat wherever she goes, from Kosovska Mitrovica, to Brussels, Berlin and London, Moscow, Beijing, Abu Dhabi and Dubai – is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. “This is what we will continue to insist on every day,” said Brnabic, adding that Kosovo and Metohija is facing difficult and complex times but that she was “satisfied that, despite the 31 July provocations, we managed to preserve peace”. “The interest of Serbia and of the Serb people is peace and stability,” Brnabic told the crowd assembled outside the multi-media center in Kosovska Mitrovica, which is the first institution she visited on her arrival in Kosovo. “We invested more over the past few years than in the past 40 years – this building is proof of that and I am glad it is here that I started my visit, because this is how I see our country’s and our people’s prosperity – not lagging behind the world but fighting a battle in the use of modern technologies,” said Brnabic. Explaining that building a center where children will learn programming and modern technologies is very important to her, Brnabic said “If we ensure peace and stability, that (modern technologies) will lead to prosperity and contribute to families staying here and experiencing a constant growth of salaries and pensions. For me this is a place that shows that the government does not wish for people in Kosovo and Metohija to be behind in the progress that we have in central Serbia.” Brnabic arrived at the multi-media center, where a program is organized in her honor, accompanied by Serb List representatives. Also present are Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic, head of the government IT and eAdministration Office Mihailo Jovanovic and heads of North Kosovo municipalities. The Prime Minister was welcomed by people carrying massages of support: ‘We have one Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic,’ ‘Welcome to the Holy Serb Land of Kosovo and Metohija,’ while Serbian flags have been put up on lamp-posts. Tight security measures have been taken, while a large number of police vehicles on the Jarinje-Mitrovica road and KFOR members are noticeable, said an N1 reporter.

 

Vucic hosted Pahor: Link between energy situation and other problems crucial (B92/Tanjug)

 

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic hosted President of Slovenia Borut Pahor as part of preparations for the upcoming summit of the Brdo-Brioni Process. "What I would say is that the key question, the question of all questions, is the connection between the energy situation and the problems that may arise in the region. Accordingly, we discussed how and with what readiness the country welcomes the upcoming winter, what we can do to help each other." He pointed out that this year we will exceed 2 billion Euros in trade and that our bilateral relations are good.

"We discussed all important regional issues. Of course, we have different views on the status issue of Kosovo and Metohija, but we always look at how to further encourage the European perspective, but also to ensure lasting peace," said Vucic. He also emphasized that it is necessary to talk to the people regarding the energy situation. "We will have many problems. Anything that can reduce the price of energy is a solution for us. If we have to pay 25-30 million Euros a day, it is pointless. We have to talk to the people about what to do. We will deal with that next week," said Vucic. He also commented on the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the pressure on Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia. It is very difficult to explain to the citizens how Serbia should introduce sanctions against Russia for damaging territorial integrity of Ukraine, but not Slovenia for damaging the integrity of Serbia, Vucic said, alluding to Slovenian recognition of Kosovo independence. “Russia did not damage Serbia’s territorial integrity, and Slovenia did. However, we want to have good relations with Slovenia,” Vucic said. After Vucic, Pahor also addressed the media. He also emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Western Balkans. He assessed that there is a possibility for all the leaders of the region to agree on three central issues. "The first is for Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania to speed up negotiations for joining the EU, for Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive candidate status by the end of the year, and for the EU to fulfill its obligation on visa liberalization," he said. Pahor said that he supports the Open Balkans initiative and congratulates President Vucic and his colleagues on that, and that "there are not enough such initiatives". "I came on the eve of the 11th Summit of the Brdo-Brioni initiative to consult with President Vucic on all important issues. Two goals were, and still are, a priority for these 11 years: the European perspective of the Western Balkans, as well as the peace and stability of the Western Balkans," Pahor said. He also pointed out that, especially at this time of the war in Ukraine, it is important to conduct a dialogue in the region and find compromises despite the different views. When asked how the EU insists on territorial integrity and sovereignty in the case of Ukraine, while in the case of Serbia it so easily renounced it, he said that he remembers his first visit to Belgrade, when relations, both after the war and the recognition of Kosovo, were bad. "I came then to normalize those relations and since then I have been hearing similar questions about the reasons why the majority of EU countries recognized Kosovo. When I speak with the president of Serbia, we have different views on it, but as you can see, I persistently come to Serbia as president of Slovenia, but more and more as a friend of Serbia, despite different attitudes," he emphasized. Pahor said that even today he came as someone who stands behind the support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the desire for the war in that country to end, and for peace and security to reign in Europe, knowing that this will not happen so soon. "There are so many open issues in the Western Balkans, so many dangers that the war in Ukraine will worsen the situation, that despite the different positions, we must conduct a dialogue and find even the smallest compromises," he said. Pahor pointed out that he knows that it is not easy for Serbia, but neither is it for Slovenia, and that he wants us to jointly find ways through dialogue to get through this dangerous period. "We are trying, it is not easy, but despite different opinions, we must continue," he underlined. Pahor reminded that as a great friend of Belgrade and Pristina, he initiated the initiative to start a dialogue, that the dialogue has started, but that the solution that everyone would like was not reached, and that he is worried that trust has decreased in the meantime. He said that he was a great friend of both sides and that he planned to emphasize during his visit to Pristina that the dialogue should resolve the remaining issues, that the dialogue should be “more lively” and that it would be necessary to form the Community of Serb Municipalities, if there was a wish to have a credible process.

 

Series of documents related to cooperation within “Open Balkans” signed (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)

 

Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlovic and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania Belinda Balluku signed on Friday the Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries, which envisages mutual support in investing in new capacities, especially when it comes to the construction of an LNG terminal in Albania. The memorandum was signed in the Palace of Serbia, in the presence of the leaders of the member countries of the "Open Balkans" initiative and the Western Balkans region. Serbian Minister of Culture and Information Maja Gojkovic, Minister of Culture of Albania Elva Margariti and Minister of Culture of North Macedonia Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of film and audio-visual activities in the Western Balkans. The Operational Plan in the field of civil protection between Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia was also signed. This document was signed by Serbian Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Department for Emergency Situations Luka Causic, Deputy Director of the Protection and Rescue Directorate of North Macedonia Zulfikar Zejnualai and General Director of the National Agency for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Defense of Albania Haki Cako. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Branislav Nedimovic, Minister of Agriculture of North Macedonia Ljupco Nikolovski and Minister of Agriculture of Albania Frida Krifka signed the Agreement on food security mechanisms in the Western Balkans. The agreement was signed in order to prevent the lack of basic agricultural and food products on the markets of the member states of the "Open Balkans" initiative.

 

Relations of Serbia, Turkey at highest level in recent history (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic met on Friday with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, and on that occasion assessed that the relations between the two countries are at their highest level in recent history. The interlocutors expressed their belief that the upcoming visit of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the planned signing of a series of interstate agreements will give an additional impetus to the development of overall bilateral relations. The Ministers expressed particular satisfaction with the increasingly intensive economic cooperation between Serbia and Turkey, noting that this year saw a significant increase in trade exchange. Selakovic informed Cavusoglu about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, adding that Serbia counts on further support from Turkey in connection with the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which would lead to a compromise and a mutually acceptable solution, and contribute to the preservation of regional peace and stability.

 

Mutual support, sincere friendship between Serbia and Hungary (Tanjug/RTV)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic pointed out on Friday, in a conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto, that the relations between the two countries are at their highest level and are based on strategic partnership and sincere mutual support and friendship. Expressing his satisfaction with the frequent and regular contacts of high and top officials of the two countries, Selakovic added that Serbia is looking forward to the upcoming visit of Hungarian President Katalin Novak with great pleasure. During the talks, special attention was paid to the continuation of the improvement of bilateral economic ties, increasingly intensive cooperation in the field of energy, as well as cooperation through joint infrastructure projects. The interlocutors also referred to the importance of strengthening regional cooperation through initiatives such as the "Open Balkans", stating that economic cooperation is a good way towards the overall progress of the region. He once again expressed his gratitude to Hungary for the sincere and strong support it provides to Serbia at the highest political level in the process of European integration and in international organizations. Selakovic informed his interlocutor in detail about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the position of the Serb people in the province, as well as the efforts of President Aleksandar Vucic to ensure peace and stability in the region. During the meeting, the Ministers exchanged opinions on the situation in the world and the region. Illegal migration was also a topic of discussion, where the importance of interstate cooperation in dealing with that challenge was highlighted.

 

Macron, Scholz: Normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations essential for Western Balkans (Beta/Politika/Novosti)

 

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday that the full normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina was essential to the Western Balkans, adding that they had charged their foreign and security policy advisors to provide direct support to the European Union's envoy for the dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, the Serbian Presidency said in a press release. In a joint letter to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Macron and Scholz wrote that, in light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, more effort needed to be invested to make the European outlook of Western Balkan countries a reality. The two officials urged Vucic to show the utmost resolution and readiness to make hard decisions that would lead to progress in the EU-mediated dialogue with Pristina. Recent tensions have shown that constructive steps forward are desperately needed, practical as well as political, the missive added. We have therefore charged our foreign and security policy advisers, Jens Ploetner and Emmanuel Beaune, to extend direct support to Miroslav Lajcak in his endeavors. We propose that our advisers, together with Lajcak, visit Kosovo and Serbia to investigate the possibility of quickly moving the process forward, the letter to Vucic concluded.

 

Petkovic: We preserved stability and peace, but difficult battle continues (Politika)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said that the upcoming visit of Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic to Kosovo and Metohija has a special weight and meaning for the Serbs in the southern province, because it shows that their country is always with them. Petkovic told today’s Politika that the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija are awaiting with great joy and eagerly the visit of Prime Minister Brnabic. “Also, I can convey to you that the Prime Minister cannot wait to visit our southern province and talk with our people on the ground, to convey to them the words of peace and support of the state of Serbia,” said Petkovic. He pointed out that in every crisis, tension, ordeal, the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija look to Belgrade and that after all the hardships they have endured, this visit comes as a strong reinforcement and motivation. “I can tell you that the Prime Minister is very well acquainted with the life of our people in the province and that, in addition to President Aleksandar Vucic, she has always been very understanding and gave enormous support to our people in Kosovo and Metohija. There is no such project, help or request for our people that the Prime Minister did not accept,” Petkovic pointed out. Asked that at the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak, more and more people are digging in and creating almost fortifications for the special Kosovo police, Petkovic said that in the previous period, there were noticeable efforts by Pristina to create a kind of fortifications for its special units in the administrative line. He added that they are shamelessly usurping the private property and possessions of Serbs on whose land they are clearing and building without permission. “Serbs living in these municipalities are very worried about this behavior of Pristina, and we have also informed international representatives about this problem,” said Petkovic. He says that the special forces of the Kosovo police are made up exclusively of Albanians and that they have nothing to look for in the north of Kosovo and Metohija according to any letter of the agreement. “Only the Kosovo police of the northern region, made up of 95 percent Serbs, are competent and entitled according to the Brussels agreement to be present in the north of the province and to take care of public order, peace and security. The only other duty to ensure that security for the Serb people is KFOR, which had to ban ROSU police incursions into the north,” Petkovic pointed out. Prime Minister Ana Brnabic will be on a one-day visit to Kosovo and Metohija tomorrow, where she will visit Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvecan and Leposavic. Together with the Prime Minister, the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic and the director of the Office for IT and eGovernment Mihailo Jovanovic will visit Kosovo and Metohija, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced today. Brnabic’s visit to Kosovo and Metohija aims to convey messages for the preservation of peace and stability, within the framework of which only the survival and stay of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija can be achieved.

 

Jeremic: Parliament should enact a common document of both, opposition and government, regarding Kosovo (TV Prva)

 

The leader of the opposition People’s Party (NS) Vuk Jeremic said on Saturday that both, government and opposition, should enact a common document at the Parliament session about Kosovo. “We must not allow to end the parliament’s session about Kosovo like a bar fight with bruises, and without any common plan how to proceed further”, Jeremic told TV Prva. “It would be very important not to reduce the session just on mutual accusations for what has happened in 1990s, when we have had the same people in the government as we do today, what has happened after 2000, and what has happened in the past ten years of the Brussels dialogue, which obviously got stuck in terms of what Serbia should get”, Jeremic said. He announced that NS MPs would propose a wholesome negotiation platform about what should be done in Kosovo, what in the UN, UNESCO, Brussels process. “If we have missed something in our platform, they should add something to it, if we have failed to formulate something well, they should redo it, they have the majority to do it”, Jeremic stated. NS platform, among other things, includes that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic should send letters to Russian and Chinese Presidents, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, respectively, in which he would inform them that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo and call them to use the right of veto if the issue of Pristina’s membership in the UN should ever reach the agenda in the UN Security Council. “Afterwards, the matter would be cemented and the position of Russia and China could be changed only if a new letter is sent from Belgrade asking them to allow the self-proclaimed Kosovo to become a member of the UN, and this, I am certain, would never happen”, Jeremic said. “The US officials are saying almost every week that Serbia should recognize Kosovo, which has not happened before, and the German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz said the same in Belgrade, and this was the reason why NS requested an urgent discussion about Kosovo in the parliament”, Jeremic said.

 

Vucevic: Composition of new Serbian government by 25 September (TV Prva/Beta)

 

The Mayor of Novi Sad and high-ranking official of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Milos Vucevic said that the Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic will present a proposal for the composition of the new government of Serbia by 25 September. “More important than the composition of the government is the policy that the government will implement. I expect that we will get a good pro-Serbian government, which will protect Serbian interests,” Vucevic told TV Prva and added that he expects minority parties to be more involved in the government.

Vucevic said that the SNS congress will be held by the end of the year, and when asked if he will replace Aleksandar Vucic as party leader, Vucevic said that he “does not see himself as Vucic’s replacement”.

 

Rakic: Our people do not wish to give up on any insignia of state of Serbia (Novosti)

 

“We want a compromise, not unilateral moves and threats to confiscate the vehicle. I do not want to speculate, but I remind you of the conclusions adopted by our municipalities at the joint session in Zvecan, our people are not ready to give up their documents and their plates, and they will not do so even under threats from Pristina,” said Serb representative Goran Rakic.

 

Can we trust KFOR, if their instructors actively participate in the training of the so-called Kosovo special forces and army?

“KFOR is the only legal military formation in this region, and its mandate is clear, defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1244. In this sense, we expect them to harmonize their actions with the mandate entrusted to them. Everything else is absolutely unacceptable. That's why in all the meetings we have with people from KFOR, we insist that the UN Security Council resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement be respected. Bad experiences from the past, such as the pogroms of 2004, force us to demand that they be up to the task, that they act preventively and prevent the threat of peace by special units that come to Serbian municipalities. In the end, to be honest, our biggest support and hope is our country and President Vucic.”

 

Does our people in Kosovo have the capacity to defend themselves if the authorities in Pristina try to implement their decisions by force?

“We want peace, stability, a better life for our descendants in these areas. In this sense, we will do everything to avoid tensions and, God forbid, conflicts. However, it does not depend on us. Well, Serbs from the north didn't go to the south and impose rules on Pristina to live by, Serbian policemen didn't raid Albanian villages, mistreat people and threaten to confiscate vehicles. In this sense, the responsibility lies with Pristina. On the other hand, I want to emphasize that Serbs are a freedom-loving nation and recent events have shown that we have not fallen asleep, surrendered, nor are we ready to give up and leave our hearths. We believe that dialogue is the only solution, that a compromise must be reached, and threats and violence from Pristina will not be silently accepted by this people.”

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Dodik: We are not prepared to accept anti-Dayton B&H and RS will leave such B&H (RTRS) 

 

“I am clearly saying that we are ready to accept a constitutional and Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), but we are not ready to accept an anti-constitutional and anti-Dayton B&H, and Republika Srpska (RS) will leave such a B&H”, said Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik. “We have studied that agreement very carefully and it is not favorable for us. We did not want to be in B&H. The Serb national movement of the 1990s sought an independent state”, Dodik said. He emphasized that the RS was formed on 9 January 1992. “Even for that day, the judges of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, meaning three Muslims and two foreigners, made a decision that it was unconstitutional. The Constitution does not mention at all that they can decide on this. I do not forget and I will not give in. Whatever anyone thinks about it, we will celebrate 9 January,” Dodik emphasized.

 

Dodik: RS supports Open Balkans initiative (ATV) 

 

Milorad Dodik said on Saturday that the Open Balkan initiative is good, useful and innovative political project in this region that already brings results. He said that RS wants to be part of the Open Balkans and for four times already he demanded to decide about this in the B&H Presidency. According to Dodik, there was a decision to accept and make this happen and they tasked the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) but blockades of Muslims - who are afraid and they believe that this is some big project - occurred. ATV noted that this is just one of topics that the other two members of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic block. Speaking about the fact that Dzaferovic and Komsic refused all items that he proposed at the last session of this institution, Dodik stated that this is how they demonstrate their hate, by rejecting important economic projects. In his opinion, the RS is a state and it would be way better for the RS if it was not part of B&H because in this way, it would be more successful in implementation of development projects. Dodik added that the RS has never prevented any development project in B&H, but now it will have to act in accordance with parities. Dodik said: "B&H is already more of an obstacle than a benefit and causes us more problems than we can thank it for, but we will solve our economic problems without them.”

 

Dodik say he will discuss with Vucic creation of national identification cards for Serbs living in Diaspora; Cvijanovic: This will be project of national importance (RTRS) 

 

The creation of national identification cards, announced by Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik, should unite Serbs, no matter where they live. Dodik says he will discuss this with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. For RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic, this is a project of national importance. This, she says, is an upgrade of a project that started a few years ago, which involved mapping the Diaspora. Serbs from the Diaspora welcome this initiative. The national identification card will serve Serbs who identify with RS in any way, and wherever they live, to enable them to have the status of domiciled population in certain activities and rights. As Dodik announced in Romania a few days ago, by issuing these cards, users would gain numerous benefits. At the same time, it would be a step towards the unification of the Serb identity. “This will enable you to exercise the same rights in the RS in terms of - from buying real estate to opening a company, using education, for you to have the same rights as our people. The RS can do that now, we will try to somehow bring it closer to Serbia, for Serbia to do that to all of us, both to you and to us, and in this respect, I think it could be something that would bring us even closer and bring us together”, Dodik told members of the press in Romania. With the identification card of Serbs, the RS wants to identify all its people who live abroad, who want to invest in the RS and use all the benefits that its citizens have, Cvijanovic explains. “Of course, this will be a project of national importance, the preliminary work has been done and we already have a good database, but we want our people to be activated in a more intensive way and finally for them to have, to enjoy all those rights here, to treat them as the people who live here. Finally, they are part of the corps of the RS and we want to confirm that in this way”, Cvijanovic told reporters. Serbs living and working abroad, especially businessmen, were happy about this initiative because they believe that it will reduce the administrative problems they face, facilitate investments and make them not feel like foreigners in their own country. Every bridge that is built towards the Diaspora is welcome, and this initiative is something that unites our national being, says Head of the RS Representative Office in the United States, Obrad Kesic. “This is perhaps something that promises the greatest benefits for our people living in the Diaspora, and that is why it is welcome, especially for our businessmen. You know very well - the market is a big struggle, to attract investment, it is very difficult, especially under the current economic circumstances”, Kesic stated.

 

Dodik votes against all proposals at Presidency’s session that he assesses as detrimental to RS, denies agrement to new German Ambassador (ATV) 

 

Presidency of B&H held an extraordinary session on Friday. On this occasion, Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik voted against all proposals he assessed as detrimental to the RS, and announced a possibility of invoking the mechanism for protection of vital national interest (VNI) in this regard. The only adopted item on the agenda was the proposed decision on the agreement between the EU and B&H in the field of civil protection. This initiative was also accepted by the RS government, so the Serb member of the B&H Presidency endorsed it. On the other hand, Dodik once again refused to provide the formal approval, agrement, for appointment of new German Ambassador to B&H Thomas Fitschen. Dodik announced that he will decide (in next three days) whether or not to invoke the VNI protection mechanism on the decision regarding the formal approval of Fitschen’s appointment, after which the RS parliament would discuss and take a stance on it. "If the RS parliament says that I am right, then the decision that there is no agrement will be in force. If the Assembly says that there are not 56 parliamentary votes for such a thing, it means that the RS gave its consent for that German to come”, noted Dodik. Dodik’s proposal to expel Christian Schmidt from B&H and to declare him persona non grata was rejected by B&H Presidency Chairman and Bosniak member Sefik Dzaferovic and Croat member Zeljko Komsic. Dodik said: “Since Schmidt was not appointed in line with Annex 10 of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA), which is the only appointment for a legitimate mandate, he does not and cannot have the authority for any duties. That is why I propose the decision of the Presidency to ban Schmidt from working in B&H and to request that he is declared a persona non grata and to leave B&H.” Dodik also demanded removal of Dzaferovic from the Presidency post, saying that Dzaferovic is often acquiring what he is not entitled to. Dzaferovic said that the Presidency rejected the item on declaring Schmidt’s work illegal and unconstitutional.

 

Borenovic criticizes Dodik over failure to confirm agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H (BN TV) 

 

Milorad Dodik opposed granting an agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H for the second time. Dodik failed to provide concrete reason for his decision. However, he talked of hostile attitude of Germany towards RS. Leader of PDP Branislav Borenovic reacted to Dodik’s behavior. He wondered whether Dodik knows that expelling of an ambassador is the last and most rigorous diplomatic act that might be followed by complete interruption of relations or by something even worse. Borenovic wondered whether Dodik knows that interruption of relations with Germany might result in collapse of the economy of the RS, reminding that in 2021 the RS had highest foreign trade exchange with Germany amounting to BAM 4.7 billion – more than 13 percent of total foreign trade exchange of the RS. He also wondered whether Dodik knows that companies from the RS and B&H exported BAM 2.1 billion worth of goods and services to Germany in 2021.

 

German Embassy to B&H sends message about respecting status of constituent peoples and entities (RTRS) 

 

After Milorad Dodik denied agrement to newly appointed German Ambassador to B&H Thomas Fitschen, and harshly criticized, as the presenter said, one-sided policy which favors only Bosniaks, the German Embassy to B&H stated that Germany still stands for the Dayton Peace Accord (DPA) and the constitutional categories of constituent peoples and entities. Analysts attributed the credit for this turn of Germany to Dodik's political perseverance and consistency. Less than two months ago, the German Bundestag tried to, as the reporter said, bring Serbs and Croats in B&H to their knees. In a truly non-binding resolution, the ruling coalition in Berlin, led by, as the reporter said, assimilated Bosniaks, sought to abolish the constituent peoples and entities, to erase the traces of Serbs and Croats and convince them overnight that they are only citizens. Somehow at the same time, because of the allegedly threatened security, the worried Berlin, after ten years of abstinence, again sent a contingent of Bundeswehr soldiers to B&H to keep the peace and be at the service of their countryman, the illegitimate (High Representative) Christian Schmidt, commented the reporter. On the next step of arbitrariness on the soil of B&H, the Germans were stopped and Fitschen was denied the agrement, so Germany also changed its opinion, noted the reporter. Dodik said he had to draw attention to very indicative moves from Berlin. Dodik stated: “We could not hear that in the last few years. Now we have that story. I will just ask for more clarification. But again, the question arises as to what is the truth, this resolution passed by the Bundestag or the position of the Embassy. What is the truth here, because one excludes the other? If they support the constitutional order in B&H, which they should, then the resolution is not valid”. Analysts claimed that Dodik’s moves produced results. Professor of Geopolitics at the Istocno Sarajevo University Srdjan Perisic said: “They simply did not expect that, and it created a certain alarm in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany itself, so they had to come out with a statement that is practically completely in opposite positions to the resolution of the German parliament”. Political scientist Vojislav Savic said: “Without respecting the law and Dayton, and respecting what was agreed 30 years ago, we cannot move forward. And if it is being violated so clearly and loudly in the Bundestag, in their country, we cannot expect someone to have good intentions towards us.” SDS leader Mirko Sarovic said that the clear position of the Dodik is harmful to RS. Sarovic stated that Germany is the most important political and foreign trade partner of B&H. B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac denied Sarovic’s claims with facts, noted the reporter. The most important foreign trade partner of B&H from the EU quota is Croatia with a foreign trade balance of BAM 5.5 billion in 2021 and BAM 3.7 billion in the first six months of 2022. Kosarac commented: “Germany is absolutely not such a partner as Sarovic wants to portray. Sarovic is a loudspeaker of part of the international community of Western countries, who proclaims their policy and then when he comes to the people, he tries to ingratiate himself with certain falsehoods as a kind of national leader, which the citizens definitely recognize”. Advisor to the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Radovan Kovacevic said that Sarovic does not represent the views of the Serb people but of his superiors. Kovacevic stated: “He believes that those who order him should not be opposed. It is something that is completely clear and it is something that does not need to be specially translated, and especially explained to the citizens. Citizens know that. We are not being spiteful here, but I will repeat, we are defending our right to fight for our rights, which are guaranteed to us by the Constitution”. Dodik said they will continue to do so and they will not remain silent and suffer at the expense of the RS and the Serb people, as suggested by the RS opposition.

 

After Dodik’s decision in Presidency, conciliatory messages come from Germany (ATV) 

 

Although the decision of Milorad Dodik to vote against accepting the accreditation of a new Ambassador of Germany in B&H sparked harsh reactions in Sarajevo, Germany has been conveying conciliatory messages. ATV carries a part of the address in the Bundestag talking about interruption of assistance to RS until it changes its course. Reporter commented that several months ago, Bundestag applauded to this proposal to introduce sanctions against the RS, adding that later it adopted a resolution detrimental for Serb people and favorable for Bosniaks. According to ATV, this is why Dodik voted against granting agrement to a new German Ambassador to B&H. Reporter commented that the Embassy of Germany in B&H states that claims Germany is committed to work against Serb people are ungrounded. It underlined that Germany supports the agreement from Dayton that established existence of the RS. “Germany has been cooperating with its local and international partners for a functional B&H where rights are guaranteed to all citizens of B&H with all of their specificities and that has future in European family and in the EU”, reads the statement of Embassy of Germany in B&H. Dodik said that it was necessary to divert attention to the fact that over more than a year Germany has been making very indicative moves. Dodik claims that he will demand explanation of these moves. “We had to divert attention and it is achieving some results. The Embassy of Germany stated that it backs the DPA and the RS. We could not hear it over last several years and we have such claims now. I ask again, what is the truth: this resolution passed by Bundestag or the stance of the Embassy, because one excludes the other. If they support constitutional order in B&H, then the resolution is not valid”, explained Dodik. Dodik has stated, after he refused to approve agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H, that he is not a subject and that foreigners who impose laws and want to change the Constitution, and who do not let local politicians reach an agreement, are the biggest problem. Dodik announced he will request from Germany to declare itself whether the statement of the German Embassy to B&H that Germany supports the constitutional order of B&H is true or whether the Bundestag’s resolution (on B&H) is true, which, according to Dodik, imposes stereotypes about bad Serbs and undermines the constitutional order. Dodik also stated that by sending soldiers to B&H, Germany has intention to implement its policy by use of armed force.

 

Komsic: Schmidt is being pushed to impose changes to Election Law for sure but will not make such decision without Germany’s approval (FTV) 

 

Croat member of the Presidency of B&H and DF leader Zeljko Komsic, asked about the electoral reform in B&H, in particular what will happen if High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt does impose changes to the Elections Law of B&H, said that it depends on what exactly will be imposed but if Schmidt moves to impose what is being alleged and reported in the media, “it will be bad because he (Schmidt) will in fact further divide B&H and I think he will then nail the door that we have to go through to get to the EU”. According to Komsic, stances of everyone involved are clear and the purpose of consultations held in the Office of High Representative (OHR) was to regain support of non-government organizations, the media and general public for Schmidt who was shocked by the protests that took place in front of the OHR. Komsic claims that the US is clearly behind everything but the US’ policy in the Western Balkans is anachronistic at the moment and it is shaped by parameters and perception of B&H from the 1990s. He stated that it is a poor choice of strategy by certain US officials who were members of the Clinton administration in the 1990s but were not ranked as high as they are now. He deems that it is weird to see individuals who have created the world as it is now, mainly fast-paced and deeply divided, being stuck in the same mindset from the 1990s when it comes to B&H and the Western Balkans and their schemes and divisions they are envisioning are the same as they were back then. He stated that it seems as if the world did not change at all in the meantime, not even after Russia’s aggression of Ukraine, while the whole narrative about human rights looks as good as dead and the only thing that matters is endlessly pragmatic policy where the US’ plan to preserve stability in the Western Balkans has to be implemented by any means necessary. He explained that decisions about the Western Balkans are not being made by one US official alone but by officials on many levels of the US State Department, including top level, and every attempt to reach such high-ranking officials failed. He claims that he believes the US officials have good intentions and they truly want to preserve stability in the Western Balkans but the way they are doing it is wrong and potentially dangerous considering the US’ tendency to suddenly change its mind and quickly abandon all plans. He added that in case the US does start something and then proceeds to make such turnaround for some reason, i.e. its relations with China, it will leave the Western Balkans in a very dangerous atmosphere and “a political hole that anyone can fall into”.  Komsic stressed that Schmidt is being pushed to impose changes to the Election Law for sure but Schmidt will not make such decision without Germany’s approval. He reminded that Germany is currently opposed to this, adding that Schmidt came to B&H simply in order to add another job and post to his CV before returning to Germany and continuing his political career but doing so could be very difficult for Schmidt if his actions are not approved by the German authorities regardless of their composition. He underlined that as a German politician, Schmidt cannot dissociate himself from Germany’s interests and it is logical that he wants Germany’s approval for his actions but he does not have it in this case and it remains to be seen if the US will be looking for some kind of deal as they did with Schmidt’s appointment as the HR. He recalled telling Schmidt upon his arrival to B&H how he has godlike authority as the HR but he will personally be responsible for each one of his actions and potential consequences, further adding that he was quiet about the Election Law for a while only to get back into the frame for no apparent reason but this was not Schmidt’s idea  as he is under huge pressure from the Croatian leadership and certain right-wing structures in Europe while the US and the UK see certain changes to the Election Law as the key to stability in the Western Balkans. He argued that such approach of the US resulted in completely opposite of what the US wants because there is instability and growing tensions on the political scene in B&H but the whole setup was wrong from the start and instead of making concessions to HDZ and the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS), the US should have invested its energy and efforts in the so-called integrity package of changes, in particular prevention of electoral frauds, update of voters registers, introduction of modern technologies and overall better control of the election process. He pointed out that despite being warned many times, the US officials took things in completely wrong direction and were guided by “very bad political pragmatism” as they wanted to make concessions to everyone in order to keep them happy without thinking how it will affect B&H and the rest of the region. He added all foreign officials will eventually leave B&H while the citizens will be left to deal with the consequences of such superficial approach. As to the Croatian leadership lobbying strongly for the adoption of changes demanded by HDZ B&H, Komsic said that the Croatian leadership did not succeed and he understands why Croatian President Zoran Milanovic is trying to make Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic look incompetent and unable to take care of Croats in B&H but Milanovic is doing nothing more than rubbing salt in Plenkovic’s wounds because Plenkovic wounded himself by agreeing to be held hostage by HDZ B&H and the HNS. He claims that he expected the Croatian leadership to be more thorough in its assessments and it should be able to realize that the more it persists with its demands the tougher the response will be from people who care about B&H. He stressed that such people have had enough of threats about renewal of the Croat Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia or about the secession of RS and if Croatia and Serbia are true friends of B&H they should leave B&H citizens alone. He deems that Milanovic might enjoy picking on Plenkovic at the moment but Plenkovic is far more dangerous and more malignant for B&H because he has good infrastructure at his disposal and he is held in high regard within the EU. However, he noted that ongoing conflict and war of words between Milanovic and Plenkovic where B&H seems to be the main point of contention is additionally heating up the atmosphere and raises more tensions in B&H but it will not yield desired results.

 

Turkovic: HR Schmidt will not make any decisions that are harmful for B&H and its citizens (Hayat) 

 

Deputy Chair of the B&H Council of Ministers (B&H CoM) and B&H Foreign Minister (FM) Bisera Turkovic, speaking about possible changes to the Election Law of B&H, which could be imposed by High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt, said she only supports solutions that will give equal rights to all peoples living in B&H. If we do not all have equal rights, then such solutions are simply unacceptable, Turkovic added. Due to the fact that such solutions are not implemented in B&H, many people left the country and they are now living in countries that are well-arranged democracies that give equal rights to all citizens. Ethnic principles and affiliations are things that should have been surpassed by now, Turkovic underlines. Turkovic says Schmidt is trying to do what is possible and what is best for B&H at this moment. His intentions are good, but we must know that he does not make decisions on his own, the B&H FM pointed out. Turkovic knows that Schmidt is aware of the importance of his role in B&H, and she believes he will not make any decisions that are harmful for B&H and its citizens. That being said, Turkovic says B&H leaders must not allow for pragmatic decisions to be made. Instead, this country deserves to have fair decisions made about its future. The Minister explains pragmatic decisions would refer to keeping peace in B&H, no matter the cost, and only because the international community fears Russia’s aggression in Ukraine might affect this country as well. Turkovic says B&H deserves, 30 years after the war, to get concrete solutions for its problems now, without any delays or simple “containment of the situation”. She also believes it is unfair for neighboring countries to meddle into B&H’s internal affairs with their constant lobbying for certain solutions in the country. Turkovic said those countries would not like for B&H leaders to come and give solution to their problems. What B&H really needs right now, Turkovic says, is to build bridges towards everyone. That is, she admits, very difficult in some situations in which people are unwilling to do this and whose goals are not connected to strengthening of B&H. She puts her faith in the people of B&H, who were always capable enough to build bridges of their own and to advocate positive policies and goals for the future. In conclusion of her interview, Turkovic emphasized that she always works in line with the interests of B&H and its citizens, and all her moves are aligned with what the citizens need at the given moment. The Minister was also asked if she believes Russia will veto extension of EUFOR’s Althea mission in B&H, and she responded affirmatively. If that happens, Turkovic says, we have a response ready. Dodik recently accused Turkovic of plotting with NATO regarding some solutions in B&H, but she says Serb Presidency Member Milorad Dodik is the one that makes “shady plans” for B&H and its future. Turkovic said NATO has measures planned for B&H, but that is not the first time that something like that was mentioned. She says no one, of course, wants extensions of military presence in B&H if that is not really necessary, but, if necessary, all leaders in B&H will have to accept this. Turkovic concluded that secessionist policies in B&H will be stopped and the country will continue to stand despite the attempts to constantly divide it.

 

Analyst warns of radicalization among Bosnian Muslim leaders ahead of elections (HRT1) 

 

General elections will be held in B&H on 2 October 2022. They will decide the makeup of B&H's tripartite presidency as well as national, entity, and cantonal governments. The official campaign for the 2 October elections in neighboring B&H has begun. The race is rife with political tension and uncertainty as to whether High Representative Christian Schmidt will change the electoral law, which has been the subject of a fierce political battle in recent months. Many believe that Schmidt will change the election law on the day of the elections, although so far nothing has been confirmed from the Office of the High Representative. As it stands political analyst Danijel Vidovic from Mostar says that Bosnian Muslims will still be able to elect representatives for Croats: "In that sense we are noticing a massive radicalization, especially on Bosnian Muslim political scene, which is being brought about by the fact that the main players from the international community have come to realize that the way in which they've been behaving up until now, will result in the complete collapse of the Dayton structure, which is the only guarantee of B&H's survival." Croats have long-since been calling for election law reforms, as the current system allows Bosnian Muslims to elect who will represent Croats in political office. In spite of repeated calls from the European Union and Washington, and a ruling from B&H’s own Constitutional Court, that calls for the election law to be reformed, the Bosnian Muslim side refuses to relinquish its ability to dictate political life for Croats in B&H.

 

Agreement of 30 August majority would mean diversion from Euro-Atlantic path into zone of Russian influence (Pobjeda) 

 

The Bosniak Party leader and the Minister of Capital Investments in the technical mandate, Ervin Ibrahimovic, says in an interview for Pobjeda that the government formed by the parties that won the elections on 30 August 2020 would mean a change in the political course of Montenegro and a deviation from the Euro-Atlantic path into the zone of Russian influence. “It is quite difficult to talk about Euro-Atlantic integration, and to form a coalition with parties that are openly opposed to membership in the NATO pact, not to mention some other values that those parties stand for. But that is a matter of political decision for those parties. What is important for me is that such a government would mean a change in the political course of Montenegro and a deviation from the Euro-Atlantic path into the zone of Russian influence. This is not good for Montenegro and our future”, he says. When discussing the way out of the current political crisis, Ibrahimovic says that “both elections and a new government are equally legal and legitimate solutions”. He believes that elections are the most democratic solution. “The biggest mistake of the 43rd government is changing priorities. I’ve already said that. The European agenda and the economy should have been the absolute priority of the 43rd government. Then, I am sure, it would be perhaps the most successful government in the recent history of Montenegro”, he points out.

 

Vucic: Abazovic did much more in 100 days than his predecessors; Abazovic: The Open Balkans is a successful and functional initiative, I would like Montenegro to be part of it (Pobjeda) 

 

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said that the Prime Minister of Montenegro in his technical mandate, Dritan Abazovic, has done much more than his predecessors. "He made very difficult decisions. In 100 days of work, the Government has done more than its predecessors", said Vucic at the conference after the Summit of the leaders of the Open Balkan countries. Vucic thanked Abazovic, although he says that "maybe they can hold a grudge against him (Abazovic) in Montenegro, because of that". Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama also had a message for Dritan Abazovic. "I have seen several prime ministers who stayed in office longer when they were "written off" than when they took office. "I think he will break records, and I'm sure his opponents will regret kicking him out, because they would have kicked him out more easily if they hadn't," Rama said. Abazovic said that, if he continues to be the PM, he will continue to make difficult decisions, but which will lead to what we have today. "And what we have today is changing the perspective and what is the face and back of the Western Balkans. If there is an agreement of the new majority that I will be prime minister - that's good, if not, I will affirm my vision and policy from another position, even from the opposition, if necessary," said Abazovic from Belgrade. According to him, the things that were laid as a foundation will be realized in the coming period. "That is something we should be proud of. It is our legacy that others will use, and we contributed to making those things come true," said Abazovic. He believes that the signing of the so-called Fundamental Agreement is important for reconciliation in the region. "I am the prime minister who makes difficult decisions. I am proud of that," said Abazovic. The Open Balkans is a successful and functional initiative, said Abazovic, stating that he expects that Montenegro will soon become a member of that initiative. "I would like Montenegro to be part of the Open Balkans. The Open Balkans is a successful initiative. It's not a matter of what the initiative is called, it's a functional initiative. This initiative is functional", said Abazovic. At the opening of the Summit of the Open Balkans initiative, he said that the initiative should and must be inclusive, stating that those who did not attend the Summit are welcome. "We are also not full members of the Open Balkans, but I would like and expect Montenegro to become a member soon," said Abazovic. He stated that, at a time when war is raging, it is nice to see people at the same table, discussing topics of vital importance to all citizens of the region. As he said, Montenegro supports it. "The Western Balkans, through the Open Balkans initiative, needs a new progressive policy. We have tried everything in history - walls, wars, crises, humanitarian disasters, quarrels, conflicts, accusations. The only thing we haven't tried is cooperation," said Abazovic. He said that it is time to choose peace and progress, stressing that greater flexibility of borders does not mean changing them. According to Abazovic, the initiative is very successful because, as he said, it proved that it can do things that are important for citizens in a short period of time. "In the face of a crisis, it is very important to protect communication channels and do everything in our power to make life easier for citizens," said Abazovic. He said that citizens are fed up with the politics of the past and nationalism, adding that political actors should offer something else. "That “something else” should mean greater cooperation. In a global society, no one can work alone anymore. We all have to promote cooperation", said Abazovic.

 

Abazovic with Szijjarto: The main foreign policy goal of Montenegro is full membership in the EU (CdM) 

 

Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic met with Peter Szijjarto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary, on the sidelines of the Open Balkans Initiative Summit in Belgrade. Abazovic, as announced by the government, pointed out that the main foreign policy goal of Montenegro is full membership in the EU, for which we are grateful to Hungary for its continuous and firm support. During the talks, special emphasis was placed on economic cooperation, especially in the field of telecommunications, the banking sector, but also tourism, aviation, and infrastructure projects. "The Head of Diplomacy and Trade of Hungary reiterated his support for the "Open Balkans" initiative and pointed out that it represents a good platform for the economic connection of the region, the formation of a common regional market, the attraction of investments and the creation of new jobs," the announcement states.

 

Kovacevski: The region will survive the winter together so that there is no shortage of food and energy (Republika) 

 

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski emphasized that within the framework of the Open Balkan initiative are already being taken regarding the economic and energy crisis, as a result of Covid and the military aggression against Ukraine. We already discussed these topics intensively at the previous Summit, and last month in Tirana the working groups of our governments also had a meeting. At the Summit that will be held here in Belgrade, we as governments, as well as the relevant ministries, will have intensive discussions about finding concrete ways to provide enough food and energy to survive the hardest winter since the Second World War. Particular attention will be paid to ensure that the region has food and energy supplies at all times and to ensure a smooth flow in the supply of basic food products, i.e. to react quickly and appropriately if any disruption occurs in the supply chains. In the so far established mechanisms and signed memoranda of cooperation, we have practically committed ourselves to help each other in the coming period, which is expected to be seriously difficult. But it is certainly not an unknown category. We also helped each other during the covid pandemic. To conclude, we will work intensively so that there is no shortage of food and energy, but the new geopolitical reality calls for caution. We will have a winter full of challenges. But as before, as good neighbors, we will help each other, Kovacevski said. He underlined that a strong and competitive regional economy must be built together. The brain drain and permanent emigration, mostly due to economic reasons, is indeed a topic that is in focus, but with such initiatives, it is aimed at enabling citizens, especially young people, to build their future here, at home, in the region. With the Open Balkans and all the activities arising from it, we are one step closer to European wages, European quality of life, a vibrant economy and the rule of law, now, here, at home, pointed out Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski.

 

Open Balkans Summit/Rama: Agreement on food security and energy (Radio Tirana) 

 

The new summit of the Open Balkans was held in Belgrade, where concrete steps are being discussed and taken for the crisis that has engulfed the entire continent. Albanian Prime Minister Rama thanked for their presence two very important friends, the Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlut Cavusoglu and the Foreign Minister of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto. During his speech, Rama stated that: "For us, it is very important that not only all the countries of our region join this initiative, but that important countries such as Turkey, Greece or Italy, as well as Hungary join it. "Today we are not here simply to celebrate the wines and food of the region and to bring people closer together, but we are here at the second Summit that takes place in the context of the war in Ukraine and we are here to take some steps starting from this context. These steps are the agreement on food security mechanisms, which creates all the conditions for a regional food chain, from production to storage. We are also working on a concrete work plan for the diversification of energy resources and the strengthening of energy capital, mainly in the field of renewable energy," declared the Prime Minister. At the end of the "Open Balkans" summit, Prime Minister Edi Rama in his speech at the joint conference warned of a difficult winter. The head of the government announced that he will write to Brussels and the EU member states for extra financial support in addition to the budget support to face the 7 terrible months that await the country. "We have our very modest budgets. We will write to Brussels and the member countries, all three together, and we would gladly accept the signature of the other 3 countries to request the same for us, an extra financial support in addition to our budget support. The predictions we shared with the president of Serbia, North Macedonia and other colleagues are amazing. We have 7 terrible months ahead of us. Almost half a billion euros for Albania that will go to maintaining the system. I hope that we will be part of sharing this responsibility. We have signed other agreements. We are optimistic. We want to expand investments by creating a joint investment agency, the Open Balkans agency for foreign investments," said Rama.

 

Energy and food security top agenda at Open Balkans summit in Belgrade (Tirana Times) 

 

Albania, Macedonia and Serbia -- whose leaders met in Belgrade on Friday as part of the Open Balkans initiative - say they will seek each-others' help to deal with difficult winter ahead in terms of energy and food security related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The three countries agreed to form a joint commission to help each other face the threats of energy and food shortages. The summit also achieved agreements on mining, audio-visual rights and a joint operational plan on civil emergencies. In addition to the three members, the Belgrade summit also had observers from Montenegro and Bosnia Herzegovina. The foreign ministers of Turkey and Hungary also attended. Aim is peace and stability, leaders say. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the success of the Open Balkasn initiative will be seen in how peace and stability in the region will be strengthened. "The Open Balkans initiative brings hope to this part of the world which has always been fraught with misunderstandings and conflicts," Vucic said. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, said Vucic was working for "peace" as he referenced the beginning of the implementation of the agreement on free movement between Kosovo and Serbia, which since Thursday recognize each other's ID documents. "He [Vucic] gave a very clear sign to everyone that the first choice is peace and finding solutions for people," Rama said, adding it would have been even easier were Kosovo to accept being part of the OBI.

 

Kosovo, critics prefer EU integration processes instead 

Kosovo refuses to join the OBI because Serbia refuses to recognize its independence, adding it wants to be part of initiatives that are part of the EU integration process instead. Furthermore, critics of the Open Balkans initiative, argue that because Serbia is economically and demographically the largest country it will end up dominating the region, while getting a good deal on free trade and influence.

 

Rama says EU should help too 

Albanian Prime Minister Rama said the three EU aspirants would also request EU help if needed.  "The best scenario for Albania would be half a billion euros [in additional costs] for... uninterrupted electricity supplies," Rama said, adding the EU should not repeat "the shameful behaviour of the pandemic when the countries of the Western Balkans had to turn to China, Russia and Turkey". The EU allocated 70 million Euros for pandemic measures and vaccines for the six countries of the Western Balkans, but Rama was referring to the fact that non-EU countries were able to respond faster in helping the region's populations at the height of the pandemic.

 

Albania opposition unhappy with Rama and OBI 

Back in Albania, opposition representatives were unhappy with Rama's repeated verbal attacks on the EU.  Rama "spoke irately about the EU from Belgrade, asking for more money for the energy crisis. He speaks like a parent who wasted all the family's money and then speaks angrily at his best friend, who saves, on why no more money is given to waste," Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku wrote on Twitter. "The EU has always been there when Albania was in need, but a better question is what is the government doing to address the crisis? All countries have offered assistance packages. But there are none in Albania." The Democratic Party has long declared its opposition to the initiative, with its leader, Sali Berisha, calling it "anti-Albanian" this week. "Vucic is using Open Balkan in every aspect. He is using it to go against the EU's Berlin Process, in order to place Serbia's hegemony in the Balkans and increase Russian influence," Berisha said in a press conference in Tirana. "He is also using it to destroy production in Albania and North Macedonia with unclear rules about free trade."

 

The three countries have different energy profiles 

While the three states have apparently agreed to share excess energy reserves, the three countries have different energy profiles.  Serbia is predominantly subject to Russian gas imports, for heat, but produces two thirds of its electricity via old coal-powered power plants. North Macedonia depends on petroleum derivatives and hydroelectric power and is likewise reliant upon imported power. Albania on the other hand has most of its power generation through hydropower. It also imports energy on the international market, which is currently several times more expensive than last year. Previously known as Mini-Schengen, the Open Balkans regional initiative formally started working in 2019 when Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia agreed to create an economic zone of 12 million people with the ultimate aim of open borders for people and trade.