LOCAL PRESS

 

Dacic: Serbia’s most important foreign policy priority preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTS/Beta)

 

In his address in Belgrade to members of the student organization “BBE-Bourgogne Balkan Express” at the Faculty of Political Sciences “Sciences Po” in Paris, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said today that Serbia has consistently contributed to strengthening peace, stability and economic progress in the Western Balkans, and it shows readiness to overcome the negative heritage of the past. Dacic emphasized that apart from preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, Serbia's strategic goal is full membership in the EU too. The most important foreign policy priority of the Republic of Serbia is the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty, with Kosovo and Metohija as its integral part, he noted, adding that finding a political solution for Kosovo and Metohija is in direct correlation with the stability of the entire region. Aware of the fact that the European perspective of the entire region of the Western Balkans represents a path of reconciliation and cooperation in this region, Serbia is constantly committed to the development of good neighborly relations and dialogue as a basic tool in resolving open issues and actively participates in the work of regional initiatives, Dacic said. He said that the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on normalization of relations would not resume until Kosovo’s taxes were in place. Dacic said that a compromise did not mean that  Belgrade would recognize Kosovo’s independence, but that there still were not any real talks about a solution. “We are ready for a compromise, but Pristina believes there is no need for it. They think they can get everything and look for the creation of the Greater Albania,” he said, adding there was no guarantee Kosovo and Albania wouldn’t join in one country. He said Kosovo did not complete its independence since they did not join OSCE and UN, adding it was necessary that only a few countries withdraw the decision on recognition to reduce those states which recognized Kosovo as an independent state to under a half. “We will never accept this unilaterally declared independence. If Pristina thinks it’s a done deal, why it is not in the UN,” Dacic said.

 

Gojkovic: Belgrade ready to continue dialogue despite that the other side has not fulfilled any of its obligations (Beta)

 

Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic told the Conference of Parliament Speakers of EU Member States and parliament speakers of candidate countries in Vienna, organized by the Austrian Parliament, that it is only with the Western Balkans as an integral part that the EU can be whole and secure. Speaking of the EU its neighbors, Gojkovic said that this topic gives the candidate countries hope and courage that they remain the focus of EU policies despite the challenges the Unions is facing which call for open dialogue, wise and bravely implemented choices and solidarity in dealing with their aftereffects. “As the parliament speaker of a candidate country I want to stress that Serbia is committed to dialogue and cooperation on all outstanding issues in the region as this is the only way to overcome problems, maintain stability and create a secure future for our citizens,” said Gojkovic. She also said that Serbia expects the EU, as the mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, to effect a revocation of the customs taxes. “Pristina has been enforcing this illegal measure for six months now. Condemning and revoking it would send a clear message that unilateral radical moves are unacceptable and would allow a continuation of the dialogue toward finding a mutually acceptable solution,” said Gojkovic stressing that Belgrade is ready to continue the dialogue despite the fact that the other side has not fulfilled any of its obligations. Gojkovic went on to say that Serbia is taking part in all of the challenges the EU faces such as the economic and migrant crisis and climate change and is investing further efforts in its own reforms and harmonization with EU standards. The Conference, opened by the President of the Austrian National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka and the Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness, features debates on “The European Union and its neighbors” and “The European Union ahead of the 2019 European elections - further development of cooperation between national parliaments and European institutions”.

 

Thaci calls elections, Belgrade silent - what does it mean? (TV Prva/Beta/B92)

 

The president of the provisional Pristina institutions on Monday called elections for mayors of four Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo and Metohija. For now, Serbia has not reacted, while the Serb List expects consultations with President Aleksandar Vucic. Journalist Milivoje Mihajlovic thinks that by calling these elections, Thaci expects this to cause unrest - a spiral of protests and violence in the north of the southern Serbian province. He observed that the opinion of the political leadership of Serbia is not known, and whether they are surprised by Thaci’s decision, because there has been no reaction. “The move from Pristina is not one-sided, nor does it have only one goal. By calling mayors’ elections in the north, Thaci may have begun a process of disturbance in Kosovo and Metohija,” Mihajlovic believes. He added that Thaci has a justification for such a political move because these municipalities have not been functioning since 27 November, when municipal presidents resigned (after Pristina increased taxes), but he did not make the move to refresh the democratic process in Kosovo, but rather to put the ball in the north’s court. “The first reaction from Serbia may be advice to the Serb List, which conducts the Serbs’ policy in Kosovo and Metohija to participate in the elections or to boycott,” Mihajlovic said, adding that both options have their own good and bad sides. He said he was personally always in favor of Serbs going to the polls, because their survival will be more successful if they are in the institutions. “Serbs do not have to recognize Kosovo. If they boycotted the elections, there would probably be another raid in northern Kosovo. Thaci is trying to put the ball in the court of the North at any cost,” Mihajlovic said, adding that with this move, Thaci was solving several of his problems, 'the Kosovo spring' that the opposition has been announcing, and drawing attention away from the taxes.

 

Serb List: Participation in elections following meeting with Serbian President (RTS)

 

“The slating of early elections for the mayors of four municipalities in north of Kosovo and Metohija is yet another provocation by Pristina out of which the Serbs, as in the past, will exist stronger and more united,” the deputy head of the Serb List Igor Simic said. The Serb List will make a decision on the elections following Wednesday’s meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

 

Obradovic files criminal charges against Vulin for violating the Constitution (RTV/Tanjug)

 

Dveri leader Bosko Obradovic filed criminal charges against Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar over the statement that he “advocates delineation with the Shiptars”. Obradovic told a press conference that nobody ca be tried for verbal delict, but that top state officials cannot violate the Constitution and laws while they are in force. “We are requesting criminal responsibility for Aleksandar Vulin for what he intends to do,” said Obradovic.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Vucic and Covic talk about cooperation between Serbia and B&H (Fena)

 

Chairman of the B&H House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly and HDZ B&H President Dragan Covic and the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic met in Mostar and discussed the intensification of cooperation between the two countries. “We talked about all the topics of cooperation between B&H and the Republic of Serbia, the issues of our accession to the European Union, our economic cooperation and to see how we can further improve our cooperation,” said Covic after the meeting. Answering the journalist question whether NATO integrations were discussed, Covic replied that this is a topic that will be discussed in the future for a long time. “When this issue is in question, we fully respect the interests of the Republic of Serbia and the will of the executive authorities of the Republic of Serbia,” added Covic. Vucic reminded that for the fifth year in a row, he is attending the opening of the International Fair of Economy. “I am always well received here and I am grateful to Mr. Covic for hospitality. This year also we have Serbian companies from different parts of Serbia who have come to present at the Mostar Fair. I am sorry that they are no more of them and I believe that next year they will be present on a much larger scale” said Vucic. “I want the closer cooperation between Serbia and B&H. In 2015 we had an exchange of one billion, and in 2018 it reached 1,873 billion. This year we expect an exchange of two billion. For us, B&H is a key economic partner and my presence here is understandable and normal” said the president of Serbia. He said that regardless of the difficult historical heritage and the differences in attitudes to what has happened in the past, the future should be built in peace and stability, with increased understanding and closer cooperation. On the journalistic question to comment on the fact that none of the Bosniak political leaders today came to Mostar, Covic responded that this is a bad move. “They asked for an additional protocol to be called for Mr. Dzaferovic and Mr. Zvizdic. They canceled yesterday, something similar happened last year. I think this is a bad message because we have to show the dimension of strengthening relations in B&H that are today facing many temptations. I'm sorry, but that's their choice,” said Covic. He added that SDA President Bakir Izetbegovic will arrive to Mostar on Wednesday to resume the talks on forming the government at the state level.

 

SNSD, HDZ B&H and SDA announce separate talks on formation of authorities at level of B&H and Federation of B&H (BHT1/TV1/N1)

 

SNSD, HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and SDA have announced that they will hold separate talks on formation of authorities at the levels of B&H and the Federation of B&H respectively, and one of the meetings was scheduled to take place in Mostar on Wednesday.

Commenting on formation of authorities, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic stated that there is majority for formation of authorities at the level of the Federation of B&H, but the state-level authorities will be formed once SNSD stops requesting more than it is entitled to according to the election results. He stressed that respecting the rule of law, i.e. the law on defense is also crucial for this process. Collegium of SDA convened in Sarajevo on Monday. SDA representatives said that they expect other pro-Bosnian parties to join them, after DF did that, because, according to them, that would be a logical B&H coalition. Izetbegovic said on Monday that he will meet with leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic in Mostar on Wednesday to discuss formation of new authorities, primarily authorities at the Federation of B&H level. Izetbegovic stressed that it will be clear after this meeting whether new the Federation of B&H authorities will be formed very soon. Reporter explained that this party insists on respecting of B&H’s Law on Defense. The leader of SDA reminded that SNSD has accepted all stipulations of this law earlier, adding that he does not understand why SNSD has been rejecting it now. Reporter noted that delegations of SDA and SNSD should meet in Sarajevo on Wednesday to discuss formation of B&H authorities. Commenting the fact that HDZ B&H stated that DF cannot get any positions that belong to Croat people, but SDA has to give them some of their positions, Izetbegovic stated that he will discuss this issue with leader of DF Zeljko Komsic. According to SNSD, this party will not interfere with SDA’s selection of ministers for B&H Council of Ministers (CoM), but that SNSD will not give up on its principles. SNSD Spokesperson Radovan Kovacevic said that it will be decided independently within Republika Srpska (RS) which parties from the RS will participate in B&H CoM.

 

B&H fails to appoint new B&H delegation to PACE by 6 April (ATV)

 

The deadline for appointment of a new B&H delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has expired on Saturday midnight. According to the reporter, the House of Peoples and the House of Representatives (HoR) of B&H had the task to form the delegation, but there is no agreement on formation of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H and therefore, there are no sessions. Commenting on this issue, Chairman of the CoM Denis Zvizdic (SDA) stated in Sarajevo on Monday that this is under competence of the Parliament of B&H and everyone knows it. ATV stated that SDA’s Zvizdic does not seem to feel responsible at all for the fact that B&H is still ruining its image in Europe. SNSD and the Serb Caucus in the Parliament previously announced that no commission will be formed until implementation of election results and formation of the CoM. Head of SNSD Caucus in B&H HoR Stasa Kosarac stated on Monday that authorities at the joint level, primarily the CoM, were not formed because SDA tries to obstruct this process. Kosarac asserted that SDA is the main culprit for the situation and added that every time the party presents new conditions. He reiterated that SNSD does not hide its basic political standpoint according to which there is no need to work on formation of working bodies of the Parliament until defining the structure of authorities; i.e. who is the opposition and who are the ruling authorities. Leader of ‘United Srpska’ Nenad Stevandic said that the plan of the SDA’s leader was to block this process in order to preserve ministers in the B&H CoM loyal to him. Stevandic went on saying that it was the plan of SDA to make newly elected Serb parties to form B&H parliament’s commissions that would service the outgoing B&H CoM in order to provide legitimacy for those who were politically defeated. Former B&H representative in the CoE’s Parliamentary Assembly Milica Markovic (SNSD) stressed that by failing to meet this deadline, B&H excluded itself from work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) until the end of 2019. SDP B&H, NS, SBB B&H and A-SDA warned that without its delegation in the PACE, B&H will not be able to vote when it comes to important issues that this institution deals with. Head of the Council of Europe (CoE) Office in Sarajevo Drahoslav Stefanek stated on Monday that B&H’s participation in the work of the PACE will be suspended by the end of this year because of the failure to appoint new B&H representatives in this organization. Stefanek stressed that even in case that B&H Parliament appoints B&H’s delegation now, the suspension remains by the end of this year, noting that this is a pity for B&H. “This means that B&H will not be able to take part in passing one of the most important decisions this year, i.e. the appointment of a new Secretary General of the CoE,” Stefanek concluded. He reminded that B&H authorities have received a letter in which they were clearly informed that they need to appoint the B&H delegation, but they failed to do that.

 

Dodik interview: Situation in B&H chaotic, general stalemate evident in country (Srna)

 

Serb member of the B&H Presidency, Milorad Dodik, warned on Monday that general stalemate is evident in the country due to the failure to form the authorities at the level of B&H, that the situation in B&H is chaotic and that there are no prospects for it to be improved in a reasonable time. He told Srna that Bosniaks are ready to risk B&H’s European path by their nitpicking and calling the formation of authorities into the question, which is undoubtedly one of the remaining measures which should have been taken after a meeting between the B&H Presidency members and the highest EU officials in Brussels who were very fair and flexible. “As the Chairman of the B&H Presidency, I must apologize to EU official for this,” Dodik said. He said that finally something must be changed in B&H, since there is no use of impersonating ikebana in some institutions at the level of B&H, while a general stalemate in B&H is evident. “Subjects such as migration, economic reforms, and first of all the status of B&H in the EU have been called into the question by failing to form authorities at the level of B&H, particularly the Council of Ministers. This, of course, is part of a rotten political game by Bosniak politicians which they are playing by disabling the implementation of the election will of the Serb and Croatian peoples,” Dodik said in an interview for Srna.

 

Absurd situation in B&H lasts for too long

Also, Dodik says, it is visible that a Parliament has not been formed at the level of B&H. “The fact is that parliamentary commissions have not been formed since it is not enough only to appoint advisory boards and say that the houses of the Parliamentary Assembly are formed. The fact that the present ministers are at the same time deputies and the members of Parliament is absurd. We in B&H are now in an absurd situation which has lasted for too long,” Dodik said.

He stressed that all this represents a general confusion which leads to B&H’s losing credibility.

“The most recent example which supports this claim is that we do not have a delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which B&H was obliged to appoint by April 6 having in mind internal dynamics of the Council of Europe which in April should verify credentials to elected representatives” the Serb member of the B&H Presidency said.

According to him, an additional problem is the fact that reforms in B&H are not implemented due to the failure to form authorities, reforms which would enhance prospects for dealing with the growing economic crisis which is obviously shaking many countries in Europe that are very important partners to B&H.

 

Migrant crisis will influence political and economic processes in B&H

He added that the migrant crisis is a problem that is hovering over B&H as one of the greatest problems in the country. “This problem also is becoming greater due to the failure to form authorities but also due to previous bad coordination between the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Security, lack of personnel and inability of the B&H Border Police to adequately fulfill their task to protect the border and prevent a great number of migrants from entering the country. This speaks that coordination with other police agencies in B&H is very poor. All this makes B&H very vulnerable,” Dodik said.

He said that the latest data show that that 4,000 illegal migrants, accommodated in six reception centers, have been registered in B&H, and that 1,045 new migrants were registered by the end of February, which is significantly more than last year. According to him, in 2018 more than 24,000 migrants were registered, while the number of those who were not registered is not known.

“We today see that many of them are conducting violence in B&H, attacking people in the streets, seizing money and phones from them…,” said Dodik, stressing that the structure of migrants, at least those registered, is interesting. He said that one of the greatest dangers the RS is facing is the stationing of a greater number of migrants in its territory and that the RS Government must train the police and redirect police forces to protect migrant entry points.

 

B&H good for nothing

He stressed that B&H remains a permanently divided society and that when it comes to RS it is no good for anything. “The RS suffers a serious damage due to the failure to form authorities at the level of B&H, primarily because Bosniaks wherever they can, are devastating or are trying to devastate the Serb people and their will. This is seen in the fact that they are preventing genuine political representatives from doing what was stipulated by the Constitution. We are elected by the Serb people and we only ask to make available what belongs to the Serb people based on legal and legitimate elections. We do not beg anyone. Procrastination and Bosniaks who every day invent something new in order to halt the process certainly do not contribute to building trust of Serbs and RS in B&H,” Dodik said.

 

I welcome internationals’ not interfering in formation of authorities

Dodik said he welcomed foreigners’ not interfering in the formation of authorities at the level of B&H, since as soon as they distance themselves from the process, it will be obvious that B&H does not have the capacity for life.  He pointed out that Serbs and Croats having capacity to form a government in December is not enough, if there is a political turmoil within the third party in Sarajevo, which is constantly trying to keep the status quo with terrestrial games, i.e. to abuse institutions - from intelligence service to other bodies exclusively working in favors of Bosniaks, ruining others.

 

Check out US police’s competences, we will strengthen security too

Speaking about the Draft Law on Public Order, Dodik said that security is to be strengthened, which is one of the promises made in the pre-election campaign that will certainly be done.

“Let all who criticize this go to the USA and see how it works. The US Police are authorized to shoot and kill, if they suspect that someone is ready to resist. Then, they talk about some rights and freedoms. Before the war, we did not lock the doors to the houses and apartments, while the tales were told about padlocks on the doors to the houses the USA-wide in order to protect themselves from the burglars. Nowadays, unfortunately, it is our time to do the same. There are more and more rebellious groups looting and bringing instability to the people,” Dodik said. He stated that authorizing the police in terms of reaction is a rigorous approach to this. “Of course, the abuse by police officers needs to be combated. This is not the dominant issue today, but the fact that police officers are exposed as clay pigeons in different locations, and their every act is closely monitored regardless of criminals on the other side,” said Dodik.

 

Concurrent with freedom of journalism, with accountability

Dodik emphasized that he fully agrees on the freedom of journalism, but as politicians’ freedom is limited with the freedoms of other people, the freedom of journalist is also restricted by the rights and freedoms of other people. He pointed out that Europe has entered the adoption of a series of measures enabling the increase of accountability for publishing false news in the social networks system, so why this is suddenly a problem here. “In the USA, when one defames someone in the media, and that someone sues, he/she can get a few million reimbursements for defamation. In our country, this is narrowed to as much gossip as possible, to ruining the family, with a number of journalists using either quasi or accurate assessments about someone, publishing it without any accountability, using social networks, and thus avoiding liability. Unfortunately, there are fewer professional journalists who respect their profession and ethics,” Dodik said. He said that he is ready to talk with everyone, to provide every journalist with full freedom so if one works as a reporter he is to publish and announce news, but if the one is analyst he and the media are to bear responsibility for what he/she said, as this way contributes to security. “It is about creating distrust in the system, in the state, in RS. Therefore, we require absolute freedom here. You cannot expect someone from Western countries to come here and explain to me how absolute freedom should be given, while they are passing a law on preventing the spread of false information through social networks. Well, we will only copy it from them,” Dodik said. He asked why this can be allowed here, but is not allowed in the Western countries.

“Let’s copy police rights from the US, I ask nothing else. Why cannot we do it? Or, we will only copy criminal penalties for defamation, so you will see then how it looks like when one publishes false information about someone and get few million dollars penalty. We have to introduce the order. Regardless of the fact that the quasi-organizations, paid by Soros and others, tried to make a fuss, this thing will go on and be even more rigid,” Dodik said.

 

Zvizdic: Border at Drina River will remain until doomsday (N1)

 

Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Denis Zvizdic commented Chairman of B&H Presidency and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodiks statement that in the future, some kind of integration between Serbia and the RS, but also a part of Montenegro, must exist. Dodik stated: “I know that this will not happen now, but I am sure that this will happen during this century. Conditions for the Serb national integration will be created and we should act smart about this. This is our political desire”. Zvizdic emphasized that the border on Drina River has been the border between state of B&H and state of Serbia for centuries, adding that it will remain the border “until the doomsday.” Leader of Our Party Predrag Kojovic said that B&H has been existing for centuries and that this country’s borders cannot be changed. Kojovic underlined that NATO membership of B&H is of crucial importance for protection of B&H’s borders. It was stated from Montenegro President’s Cabinet that Dodik’s statements do not deserve comment.

Head of SNSD Caucus in B&H House of Representatives Stasa Kosarac responded to Zvizdic by saying that Drina River is not the border, but a river that connects one people from Serbia and from the RS. Kosarac argued that poisonous arrows keep on coming from members of SDA, who obviously do not change their policy that in his opinion, should become the past of Bosniaks. Kosarac stated: “We respect their election decisions, but we believe that it only complicates already complex situation in B&H. According to emotions of each Serb in the RS and Serbia, Drina is not the border but the river that connects us”. Kosarac underlined that no one can ban them (Serbs) to discuss these issues and to have their political ideals. Zvizdic again called for ratification of the agreement on the border with Croatia, as well as for signing of the agreement with Serbia in accordance with internationally established borders. Zvizdic added that comparing part of B&H with Kosovo is unfounded in terms of history and international law, noting that B&H wants good neighborly relations in the Western Balkans.

 

Croatia wants EU to keep focus on Southeast Europe (Hina)

 

Croatian parliament speaker Gordan Jandrokovic said in Vienna on Monday Croatia would continue to insist that the European Union keeps focus on Southeast Europe, so that it too could be integrated with the EU system once aspirants meet the membership conditions. Jandrokovic is taking part in a conference of European Union parliament speakers which is being held in Vienna on Monday and Tuesday. The conference will bring together parliament speakers of the EU member states, the European Parliament, EU candidate countries, as well as parliament presidents from Western Balkan countries -- candidates for EU membership -- as well as B&H which does not have candidate status but was invited as a special guest. The heads of parliament will over two sessions, organized as part of Austria’s EU presidency, talk about the enlargement policy and challenges of the May EP election. Jandrokovic told the press before the conference that it was exceptionally important to Croatia for the EU to realize how important its neighborhood was. “We want to see security, stability and economic prosperity in our neighborhood. I will explain Croatia’s position and underscore that we are prepared to support European prospects and future membership for all our neighboring countries, after they meet the necessary criteria of course,” Jandrokovic said. He also said that Croatia wanted all potential members to be assessed according to their own merits, adding that Zagreb was prepared to assist them with its experience and knowledge.

 

“Odupri Se” Protest organizers pointed out that resistance will not stop (TMN)

 

The eighth in a series of peaceful civic protests under the slogan Odupri Se 97,000 was held on Saturday in Podgorica with the participation of several thousand people insisting on resignations and fundamental political and social changes in Montenegro.  The demonstrators gathered this time on the plateau in front of the Assembly, then held a protest walk. Nikola Grdinic addressed the gathered citizens before the protest walk, saying that he was, on behalf of the organizer, the one who announced the eighth gathering. “I use the word to announce the actions of nonviolent resistance that we will start on other days, not just on Saturdays and not just in Podgorica but in all Montenegrin cities.” Grdinic emphasized that the Odupri Se movement will not become a political party and that it will remain the movement of all citizens. “This is the chance we will unite in the best possible way among us, and we will become the first free choice in this country. We, the citizens, are here to ensure that this process is in the direction of a better future for all of us. We want to see the state on which the leaders will be statesmen, not thieves,” Grdinic said.

He also pointed out his two impressions about the police. “When I reported this meeting, I met an official, and I was delighted with his professionalism and attitudes. Only two days after that, a situation appeared where ten police officers were battling an unarmed young man. That record should be the last drop in the full glass of our reasons for the protest.”  He urged young people to form a living wall in front of the protective fence to send a message of solidarity and unity.

Vuk Vujisic, a representative of the Student Initiative, who has been focusing on the University’s imprisonment and the unparalleled work of the Student Parliament in the last couple of months, said that the students will not stop until every young man knows about freedom. “These young people are here because they want the state to create the conditions for a normal life. It is not normal for young people after graduating to leave this country in search of a better life. It is not normal for a party booklet to be worth more than knowledge and diploma. It is not normal for one’s son to spend 300 Euros a night, while someone works for the same sum for a month.” Vujisic recalled that the University of Montenegro was captured and under the influence of party structures. “It was the Day of students, our day, but as it usually goes, the students who present together with the authorities say that everything is fine. That situation is never better. And I’m wondering if you’re happy or you want change,” the demonstrators screamed, “We Want Change!”. “I dream of a country in which a young man after college gets a job based on his knowledge, from whom he will be able to live and not survive! I dream of an ecological state in which public good and natural beauty are in front of an individual's pocket. I dream of a state of Montenegro with equal chances for everyone. For such a country it is worth fighting and inviting all young people to fight for it,” said Vujisic. Citizens were also addressed by civil activist Dragan Sosic. He said he was proud of being a civic activist because it meant fighting this system and loudly speaking. “The state is made up of territories, governments and citizens. The territory is endangered every day. We need bodies to defend Montenegro. We defend Zabljak, lakes, sea, rivers that several families have kidnapped and not released for 30 years. They plunder, kidnap, scare, blackmail, and kill! Enough!” Sosic said that the citizens are the most delicate part of the state and that they are on defense. He announced a non-violent action of civil disobedience that would paralyze the system and make them leave. After the walk, Grdinic checked out of the eighth Odupri Se gathering. He said, “we should not pay attention to what the DPS and Dusko Knezevic are talking about and not to let the opposition fight back.” “These are our protests, protests by all citizens, those who do not want to suffer humiliation and poverty. It is only important that we all together raise a voice against this regime. We must not give up,” emphasized Grdinic. The date of the next protest will be announced soon, together with the plan of all other civil disobedience actions, informed the PR team of the Odupri Se movement.

 

Opposition and organizers agreed on putting more pressure on the government (CDM)

 

Leaders of the parliamentary opposition met today with the organizers of Odupri se 97 000 protest and they talked about the models of their forthcoming activities, putting more pressure on the governing structures and extending protests outside the borders of Podgorica. Representatives of Democratic Montenegro, who hosted the meeting, said that they had analyzed current political situation and that they had agreed on taking measures with the aim of implementing the Agreement on Future. “In accordance with what has been stated previously, leaders and the representative of the organizers agreed to present the agreement to relevant international addresses. They also reached agreement that several working groups and creative teams start working immediately on developing the strategy of different actions that will be in the function of putting pressure on the government. So far, protests have managed to achieve the objective they had and they’re becoming more and more intolerable to the regime”. They add that this time they are ready to bring the whole thing to the very end. That means, changing the power and making the first step towards the democratization of the society. This was the fourth meeting between the opposition and the organizers of the protest.

 

Sigfusson: It’s important that every voice in the parliament is heard (Pobjeda)

 

In a democratic, multi-party system, a good parliament is supposed to represent all the different elements of the society. It is, therefore, important that every voice is heard. Democracy of course means protecting the rights of the opposition as well. It’s not only the leading majority the one that should decide, but it’s also the voice of the minority that matters, said in an interview for Pobjeda president of the parliament of Iceland, Steingrímur Sigfusson who visited Montenegro last week. As he says, in comparison to 2006, Montenegro has made a significant progress.

“We supported your NATO aspirations and we immediately recognized your independence. It’s Icelandic tradition- we always try to support countries that strive to become independent. It’s related to the history of Iceland. In 1918, we achieved our independence from Denmark. For more than 50 years, we have been the smallest country in the UN and that’s why we always strove to give our support to other small countries that want to go forward,” said Sigfusson.

He points out that the question of NATO membership has been controversial in Iceland for a very long time. “Many people weren’t happy with that. We don’t have foreign bases, but we are a NATO member. We support new Members, and every country that wants to become part of the Alliance. However, our policy of civil safety is aimed at much wider area, things like natural disasters, things that we are used to. For us, that’s more important aspect of the membership. The majority of our citizens is satisfied with NATO membership, but, of course, there were oppositions. We’re some sort of atypical NATO member, since we don’t have army. NATO member with zero soldiers,” said Sigfusson. Sigfusson says that Balkan countries are usually small or middle-sized. Therefore, it’s important that they develop peaceful cooperation and settle the problems in that manner, without the use of force. Speaking about the drawn-out boycott of our Parliament, he says that, clearly, the situation isn’t ideal. “It’s very important that you have all representatives of the parliament in the Parliament and I’m glad that I had the chance to hear what the opposition has to say. Observing from the side however, this is not good and I hope it will change soon. Democracy also means protecting the rights of the opposition,” pointed out Sigfusson. According to him, protests are very important part of democratic system and people should be allowed to express what they think loud and clear. “In democratic societies, protests are normal thing, as long as they are peaceful. But it’s also a sign that you should consider what the people who protest are saying and to see how can you improve the situation so that your people are more satisfied. What can you do to improve social stability, to achieve equality. That’s what you can learn from Nordic countries, since they are stable, in political and economic sense. I believe that words of the people who protest must be heard and taken into consideration. You should always ask why they do that. Why are people protesting,” concluded Sigfusson.

 

Several convicts in 27 April case request presidential pardons (Nezavisen vesnik/Republika)

 

Several requests for presidential pardons of people found guilty in the parliament storming trial have been sent to President Gjorge Ivanov’s office. The last pardon request was received on Friday afternoon, stated the President’s office. Last month, 16 men were sentenced to a total of 211 years in prison for their involvement in the violence in parliament on 27 April 2017.

Mitko Chavkov, former interior minister and head of the Public Security Department, was handed down the longest sentence – 18 years in prison. Ivanov’s second 5-year term ends on 12 May. The country will elect his successor on 21 April and 5 May. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev does not expect President Gjorge Ivanov to pardon convicts in the 27 April case. Answering a journalist question the prime minister said that he does not expect Ivanov to grant pardon, because, as he said, it no longer legally possible. The last pardoning confirmed the non-existence of the corresponding articles that do not exist in the law for the president to use this right, Zaev stressed.

 

Political crisis, US official Palmer 100 minutes meeting with Rama (ADN)

 

The meeting between US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Palmer and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, ended yesterday, after nearly 100 minutes. Although no details were made public, the main topic of discussion was the current political crisis in Albania, where government and opposition are not finding a way to dialogue. Palmer left the Prime Ministry accompanied by vice US Ambassador in Tirana, Leyla Moses Ones. The US Senior Official will also hold meetings this Tuesday with the opposition Leader Lulzim Basha, Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) Chairwoman, Monika Kryemadhi and President Ilir Meta. After the meeting Prime Minister Edi Rama gave some details of what the meeting was about.

“The excellent bilateral relations, Albania's European integration, Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the political situation in the country were discussed in a fruitful conversation that was found in full agreement with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Matthew Palmer,” said Rama.

 

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

 

The French are clear – Serbia cannot enter the EU in 2025 (European Western Balkans, by Filip Lukić, 9 April 2019)

 

PARIS/BELGRADE – Serbia will not become a member of the European Union in 2025 – that is the message of nine out of twelve French parties’ candidates of the upcoming European elections. Tighter election rhetoric, but also the conformation that France will not look kindly towards EU enlargement in future, is a message that arrived from Paris. Serbian accession to the EU – for or against, that was the question for the 12 MEP candidates in a television debate „L’Émission politique“ on the French state television who represented their programs to citizens for the European elections in May. Nine red buttons, two green and one reserved, that was a result which should turn on alarm signals in Belgrade. Only two candidates who said that Serbia will join in EU until 2025, are the candidate of the opposition Socialist Party and candidate of the UDI centrist party. Admittedly, this result should not be a surprise since recently the French started speaking loudly that Serbia and Western Balkans will not join the EU so quickly and so easily. Among those who in the debate declared against Serbia in the EU by 2025 was a candidate of the President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party and a former Minister of European affairs Nathalie Loiseau who visited Belgrade in March. On that occasion she conveyed similar message to President Vučić. “The current state of the European Union does not allow for new accession in satisfactory conditions – both for the EU itself and for the new states that would join it, said Loiseau in an interview with Politika, adding that Serbia made great progress on its path, but France as a true friend is obliged to tell the truth. (RTS, 04. 03. 2019.)

This truth is a part of tougher pre-election rhetoric, thinks Srđan Cvijić, a political analyst at Open Society Foundation and member of the Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group (BiEPAG). “The French attitude is a result of the fact that the Balkans for France is not a priority in the geopolitical context, in the internal political plan it is not worth the risk. Public opinion surveys showed that French citizens do not generally support enlargement, and accordingly, politicians do not want to swim upstream”, says Cvijić for EWB. In that regards the last research public opinion realized by British agency “YouGov”, conducted in seven European countries (Germany, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark), showed that France is the most sceptic regard future enlargement. As many as 52% respondents from France do not want Serbia to join the European Union. Undeveloped democracy, widespread corruption and the perception that new members “are seizing” jobs for the French, are just some of the reasons for this attitude of the French public opinion, explains Cvijić, adding that this will certainly not help Serbia’s progress towards the EU. However, Serbia is not the only country to have only a stick from the policy of “stick and carrot”. Namely, the European Commission made a promise to North Macedonia and the Government of Zoran Zaev that, if it resolves the dispute over the name of the country with Greece, it will, as a reward, get the opening of accession negotiations. But after the solution about the name was found, the European Union and France began to warn North Macedonia that the negotiations would not begin as promised earlier.

The inconsistency and unwillingness of the EU to fulfill its promise in the case of Northern Macedonia, according to the opinion of Loic Tregoures, lecturer at the Catholic Institute of Paris, can easily influence the Kosovo issue. “If France keeps blocking the opening of negotiations with North Macedonia after Zaev managed to deal with the name issue, I don’t see any reason why president Vučić would believe that recognizing Kosovo will grant him special treatment. Anyhow, it is absolutely not in his interest to solve the Kosovo issue on the short term, but rather towards the end of the integration process,” thinks Tregoures. He adds that people and governments in the region are not stupid and see the real circumstances of future enlargement. “Local political leaders might think that playing tensions may pay off more than working kindly in order to attract attention and get something,” warns Tregoures. However, it seems that Balkan politicians have decided to be obedient or disobedient pupils, the carrot will remain hidden in a European backpack in the upcoming period. Nine “no” for Serbia in the EU came as a cold but not a sudden shower. In fact, it confirmed the thing that no one in the Balkans didn’t want to hear – the enlargement of the Union is unpopular among EU citizens, and none of European politicians is ready to become the victim of this political risk.

 

‘I am a soldier of America’: Kosovo PM says he follows US lead against Serbia & Russia (RT, 8 April 2019)

 

Ramush Haradinaj, prime minister of the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo, said the policies of his government serve US interests against Serbia and Russia, and that he’s just following orders from Washington. “The Albanian people all in our lands are part of what America is leading. In the whole global plan we are together,” Haradinaj told the Albanian-language Gazeta Blic on Friday, describing the 100-percent tariffs on all goods from Serbia and Bosnia that Kosovo imposed in November last year as aligned with “what America stands for.”  “I am a soldier of America on the ground. I just carry out the orders.” Haradinaj was a commander in the “Kosovo Liberation Army” (KLA) during the 1998-1999 conflict, fighting for separating the province from Serbia and making it an independent ethnic Albanian state. In June 1999, following a 78-day NATO air war, Serbia allowed in UN peacekeepers – which in practice meant NATO taking over Kosovo and handing it to the KLA. “He is telling the truth,” Paris-based political analyst Nikola Mirkovic told RT, adding that Haradinaj is simply saying openly what he’s been for the past 20 years, since the US and NATO trained, armed and financed the KLA. “Kosovo is clearly an American protectorate today, and Haradinaj is just telling the truth, he is just an American soldier.” Mirkovic argued that the independence of Kosovo – declared in February 2008 but recognized only by the US and its allies – was an illusion. In the disputes between ethnic Albanians, “it’s always the American ambassador at the end of the day who’s getting the final word and who’s deciding what’s going on,” he said. Kosovo is not recognized by 5/7 of humanity, including Russia, China and India, as well as Serbia itself, Mirkovic pointed out. Washington’s policy since 2008, irrespective of which party is in power, has been to pressure Belgrade into recognizing Kosovo as independent. “Why did NATO bomb Yugoslavia 20 years ago? Because it wanted a foothold in the Balkans, it wanted a military base like Bondsteel,” Mirkovic told RT, referring to the massive US base in the province’s southeast. Haradinaj was reportedly disinvited from the national prayer breakfast in Washington back in February, supposedly over the tariffs. There were even reports that he and another KLA commander – Kosovo ‘president’ Hashim Thaci – were being denied US visas over the issue. However, Haradinaj was able to travel to the US this past weekend, posting a picture from Detroit, Michigan on his Twitter account. His plans during this US visit seem to include only meeting with members of the Albanian diaspora, however, rather than any meetings with Trump administration officials.