Belgrade Media Report 2 February 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: It takes two to make a deal (TV Pink/B92/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he believed that Serbia would have the serious support of France on its European path. The meeting between Vucic and French President Emmanuel Macron lasted for four hours. “During the coronavirus pandemic, people avoid meetings, so there are no such meetings. This is proof of true friendship and true commitment of French President Emmanuel Marcon. I am happy that my relationship with him is at a very good level. He fully understands Serbia’s position,” he said. Vucic said that a great honor was shown to him in Paris, that he visited the wine cellar of the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of the French Republic, and that he had two tête-à-tête meetings with Macron.

“We mostly talked about the relations between Belgrade and Pristina, it is a difficult and neuralgic issue for the whole of Europe, not only for Serbia. I presented Serbia’s position. I believe we will have serious support from France on our European path. France will support Serbia, I also believe, in finding innovative compromise solutions to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija,” he said. As he said, the chapters will be opened by clusters, and that this was discussed with the Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic. “I expect that we will open more chapters this year, according to the new methodology, through clusters,” said Vucic. Vucic pointed out that the most important thing is for Serbia to rely on its own strength, and not on someone’s help. Asked whether the current inactivity of the EU in the enlargement process means that we are left to ourselves, Vucic said that he always believes in us and our strength, that it is no longer like when we failed in 2000, disappeared, as he said, from the face of the earth. “Everything depends on us. We should not teach the people that the most important thing for us is getting someone’s assistance, but our strength, the strength of our economy and politics to follow the European path, and work on finding compromise solutions,” he stressed. He announced that Macron would visit Serbia in September or October. “It will be a significant visit, we will have a lot of contracts to sign,” he said. Regarding Kosovo and Metohija, he stated that it is necessary for the other side to understand that ‘dialogue is not a well of desires’. “I don’t see anything that could bring us closer to a serious dialogue. We are always ready for talks, but every agreement requires two sides, anyway, for the moment, I don’t see another side,” he said. He stated that Belgrade is not at all happy about the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Kosovo, and that this will not positively affect Serbia’s relations with the Jewish state. “It was expected for six months, so in Washington we did not want to sign the document together with the Albanians and the Americans. We did not want to encourage that, but to encourage Israel not to do that, but Israel chose that America is the most important. It will not have a great impact on our relations, but it opens up some other perspectives that I would not like to talk about now,” Vucic told TV Pink. After the meeting with Macron, Vucic said that after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Kosovo, no Muslim country will want to recognize Kosovo’s independence. Vucic stated that Serbia will now wait to see whether Pristina will respect its part of the Washington agreement and whether it will allow the construction of a railway from Pristina to Merdare. “The whole trick is that they want to build a railway across Kosovska Mitrovica, Leposavic and Zvecan linking them with Kraljevo and Raska in order to take the Serbian railways in the north of Kosovo. We were looking for a road and a railway from Pristina to Merdare, they are not interested in that particular route, because there is no Serbian railway there that they could take,” Vucic said. “We were looking for the road and the Pristina-Merdare railway, but they are not interested because there is no Serbian railway that they can take. The other issue is Lake Gazivode,” he said. “I saw that (US State Department official Matthew) Palmer insisted on ending the agreement between Israel and Kosovo, and I know that he was against the Washington agreement. Now we will see if they want to share the energy resources of Lake Gazivode,” Vucic said.

Selakovic: More understanding today for Serbia’s stands (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic has told the morning news of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that we are living in a time of Covid and that bilateral visits among heads of states are really rare, almost non-existing, and that yesterday’s meeting of the French and Serbian Presidents is an indicator of the respect of Serbia and President Vucic. “It is indisputable that Emmanuel Macron is someone who will grow into the leader of the European Union and someone who, together with Armin Laschet, will shape the future path of Europe, and that is why it is important to talk to him,” he said. This is why it is important to place matters on realistic foundations when it comes to the Kosovo and Metohija problem. “To try to find a serious solution, to show seriousness, initiative, desire and will to continue the dialogue, but to also to get a chance that way that if there is no solution on that issue, Serbia will not be entirely blamed, as it was in previous years,” said Selakovic.

Serious states do not reveal their plans and tactics

When it comes to resumption of EU integrations, Selakovic underlines that Serbia was the first to accept the new methodology initiated by France and this is why it was natural to now discuss with France the resumption of our EU path. “This opportunity that President Vucic had to talk to President Macron so much, to be his host a year and a half ago in Belgrade and to receive the announcement of the second visit yesterday, is a testimony to how much of a breakthrough Serbia had made in international relations,” Selakovic said. He added that Macron would visit Serbia twice in two years, and that we had not had any visits from French presidents in the past 20 years. When asked what kind of innovative solutions there could be for Kosovo and Metohija, Selakovic said that serious countries do not reveal their plans and tactics in such matters.

“There is much more understanding for Serbia’s views today. Does that mean that we will experience a 180-degree change in the policy of the great powers? Of course, it doesn’t. But the very fact of how frequent these meetings are, how much important topics are being discussed, not only about these important political issues,” said Selakovic. He says that cooperation between France and the US is important and good for Serbia. “It is something that will only ease the situation for Serbia. Is it dramatic, the way Serbs want and dream? No. But that is why I said we need to put things on a realistic basis,” he said.

What is the reality when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija?

Answering the question what is the reality when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, Selakovic says that the reality is that members of the Serbian people live in Kosovo and Metohija, that they are in compact areas and that they seek fulfillment of what was assumed by Pristina in previous agreements. “Therefore, let’s ask for the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, let’s ask for the protection of the rights of our people, let’s also ask for the protection of our sanctities. Serbia is in a situation where everything it signed and everything it committed to contributed to strengthening its international credibility and its reputation, creating the image of a credible partner, and on the other hand, what Pristina signed was almost of no interest to anyone, but Serbia persistently and staunchly held that position and constantly appealed for the protection of its rights and the protection of Pristina institutions’ assumed obligation,” he said. Asked whether the parallel between the EU path and a solution for Kosovo and Metohija is clearer after yesterday’s meeting, Selakovic said that it is indisputable that the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is an important item within Chapter 35. “What is important is that our process of joining the EU will continue according to the new methodology that we have been waiting for more than a year, and that in that process we have the support of France, which was the initiator of changing the methodology,” he said.

Israel chose that interest of bonding with the US is more important

Pristina and Israel established diplomatic relations yesterday and Selakovic says this will undoubtedly have an impact on relations between Serbia and Israel. “We are neither happy nor satisfied because of that. Israel itself has chosen that its interest in bonding with the United States and what is important to the United States is more important than Serbia, and that is their legitimate right. What is important is that we did not participate in that process in such a way, that President Vucic did not accept to sign the invitation to Israel to recognize Kosovo and vice versa, that we said that it was not something that is our international political position,” said Selakovic. He says it will be very interesting to see whether there will be some Muslim and Arab countries that will recognize independence of Kosovo after this. “I am convinced that there will be none and I think that it will be very difficult when you look at it from that angle. We have made serious efforts in relations with the state of Israel, especially in the last seven years, we have invested a lot in the relations between the Serbian and Jewish people, and that is why we are not happy about this, but we will see how things will develop in the future,” he says.

“What was indicative here is the immense strain of a high-ranking State Department official, Matthew Palmer, to make this happen, to apply that item in the agreement between the United States, Israel and so-called Kosovo, so we’ll see if he will try so hard and strain so hard to implement those other parts of the agreement between the US and Serbia, whether so-called Kosovo will join the mini-Schengen, whether we will carry out energy diversification,” concluded Selakovic.

Dacic: Inter-party dialogue to continue in March (Tanjug)

Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic announced that he had talked this morning with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister and it was agreed, in principle, to continue the inter-party dialogue in March and fine-tune the “technical” details of form and topic in the next ten days. “I suggested 1 March as the beginning of the dialogue, I do not know if it will suit everyone,” Dacic said at a press conference in the Serbian parliament. He said that Knut Fleckenstein and Eduard Kukan, who had started the dialogue during the previous parliament legislature, would join it again as representatives of the European Parliament and be in Belgrade and ‘work in the field’. “Tanja Fajon and Vladimir Bilcik will remain part of the dialogue because they are in positions that are also connected with Serbia,” said Dacic, adding that they, due to the pandemic, would participate ‘remotely’.

Fajon: Serbia has made some progress, but insufficient (DW/Beta)

Tanja Fajon, the head of the European Parliament’s delegation for cooperation with Serbia, has said that Serbia has made certain progress, but that it is insufficient. “As regards the EU accession process, there are good and there are weak things. I cannot only criticize as Serbia has made some positive progress, it has achieved certain things in reform implementation, but it is not enough,” Fajon said in an interview with Deutsche Welle in the evening on 1 February.

Fajon, who chairs the European Parliament Delegation to EU-Serbia Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee, also said that there were still critics in relation to public administration, efforts to curb organized crime and freedom of the media. “We are still criticizing public administration, efforts to curb organized crime, freedom of the press, and independency of the judiciary. Such criticism is not mine, but come from the European Parliament or the European Commission,” she said.

H.E. Demetrios Theophylactou, Ambassador Of Cyprus To Serbia: International Law Vs. The Law Of The Jungle (CorD Magazine, by Ljubica Gojgic, 31 Januuary 2021)

There are certain issues of vital national interest on which Cyprus cannot – and shall not – succumb to any pressure. Cyprus is not the only EU member state that does not recognise Kosovo. This is not an issue of harmonisation. The territorial integrity of Serbia, much like the territorial integrity of Cyprus, is a matter of principle and international legality, and is therefore of vital national interest – H.E. Demetrios Theophylactou

The new Cypriot ambassador is enthusiastic about starting his term in Serbia, despite that happening during difficult times. His plan is to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including defence, education and science, economy and tourism. In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Demetrios Theophylactou explains why Cyprus has not accepted the occupation of part of its territory, for almost half a century, and why the Government in Nicosia does not accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. He says that he doesn’t believe recognition of Kosovo’s independence could be set as a condition of Serbia’s EU accession.

Your Excellency, given that you are just starting you term in Serbia, what have you set as your priorities?

At the outset, I would like to underline that it is a privilege to serve as Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Republic of Serbia. Clearly, I will do my very best to further strengthen our excellent level of bilateral cooperation, based on shared values and cultural ties. Moreover, I will work closely with the Government of Serbia, also in the context of our participation in the European Union (EU), to further promote cooperation in multilateral organisations. As for priorities, those include security and defence, cybersecurity, education, economic cooperation and scientific research, including IT applications in energy, climate change and biomedical engineering. There is also scope to promote tourism: business, medical, sports and cultural tourism. Our countries have remarkable people in Letters and Arts who can create beautiful joint projects. In ecclesiastical art, there is great potential for studying and exchanging expertise between scientists and art historians. This will broaden our knowledge of our Orthodox religion. Multiculturalism is also of particular interest, due to various influences that have left their mark on Serbia and Cyprus. The ultimate objective is to strengthen the traditional ties between our peoples.

Your arrival in Belgrade coincided with the visit of Serbia’s Foreign Minister to Cyprus, with Minister Selakovic having emphasised that this was his first visit to a foreign country in his capacity as foreign minister. What can you say about the impact of this visit from the perspective of Cypriot officials?

We are particularly pleased that Foreign Minister Selakovic chose Cyprus for his first official bilateral visit. This reflects the mutual respect, understanding and solidarity that has developed between Belgrade and Nicosia over the years. The visit provided a good opportunity to reaffirm and reiterate our common positions on a number of issues. We expressed gratitude for Serbia’s consistent and principled support to Cyprus, particularly in regard to a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, respecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Cyprus’s positions of principle on the non-recognition of Kosovo had been clearly stated. It was also an opportunity to assess Serbia’s accession course to the EU, for which Belgrade enjoys the full support of Cyprus. Nicosia welcomed the progress achieved so far on reforms and strongly advocated for this to be commended in European Council Conclusions. Recognition of progress and the opening of new chapters constitute strong incentives for candidate states to continue their reform agenda. In brief, the visit had a symbolic significance and a substantive value, as it fine-tuned our positions on significant bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

When could the idea of a tripartite meeting between officials of Cyprus, Greece and Serbia be implemented and what is the potential of this cooperation?

Once the conditions regarding the pandemic allow, we are eager to establish a trilateral cooperation mechanism. Indeed, we are ready to convene this mechanism, on the basis of decisions taken at the Intergovernmental Commission of 2018. We consider Serbia as a natural extension of the network of regional multilateralism. We can advance a specific agenda with added value on connectivity, sustainability, entrepreneurship and crisis management coordination. We also look forward to putting into effect the Memorandum of Understanding on Diaspora cooperation and identify specific actions.

Cyprus is among the EU member states that decided not to close borders to Serbian citizens who require a negative coronavirus test in order to travel. How has this stance reflected on the number of visitors to Cyprus from Serbia?

The pandemic had a significant impact on travel and tourism. This has inevitably influenced the movement of travellers from Serbia, and vice versa. Serbia was placed in the second category and later in the third category of high-risk countries, based on epidemiological data. In 2020, we had about 2,600 arrivals for the purposes of repatriation, business, sports or pleasure. However, we believe that the number of visitors will increase substantially in 2021. Direct flights from Belgrade make it a good hub for business and special interest tourism, where more emphasis will be placed from now on.

Serbian officials have repeated their gratitude to Cyprus for supporting the country’s struggle to preserve its territorial integrity. How does Cyprus view the oft repeated calls of colleagues from the EU suggesting that you should harmonise your stance on the independence of Kosovo with that of the majority of the Union?

Given that you are very familiar with the situation in the EU, do you believe that Serbia will be asked to recognise the independence of Kosovo as a condition of EU accession?

This scenario is unlikely, if only because a number of EU member states would object to it strongly. Accession negotiations take place within a set of policy areas, or Chapters, on which progress ultimately determines the outcome of negotiations, based on specific criteria. The Chapters of the Acquis, 35 in total, form the basis of accession negotiations. Certain reforms are necessary to meet the accession criteria. Candidate countries are required to harmonise their national legislation with EU legislation. There is no question of conditions associated with Serbia’s EU accession.

Serbia didn’t make any progress on the road to EU integration during 2020, while North Macedonia and Albania didn’t see the long-awaited launch of their own membership negotiations. Do you consider that a true willingness for expansion to encompass the Western Balkans currently exists in the EU?

Due to various developments, both within the EU and globally, including the protracted financial crisis that was further exacerbated by the pandemic, EU enlargement has shown signs of ‘fatigue’. This is not to say, however, that there is a lack of willingness to continue enlargement with Serbia or the Western Balkans. It is simply a matter of managing internal and external contingencies, which inevitably impinge upon the pace and scope of enlargement. Notwithstanding that, the process envisaging the accession of Serbia and the Western Balkans continues unabated.

Cyprus faced new problems connected to its own sovereignty during 2020. Do solutions exist to the dispute over the ownership of sources of gas in Cyprus’s waters that Turkey also claims the right to exploit?

Indeed, in 2020 Turkey intensified its illegal actions against Cyprus, in full defiance of international law and with utter contempt for the EU’s efforts to keep the door to dialogue open. Ankara’s actions and aggressive public discourse have further exacerbated tensions in Cyprus and Greece, increasing instability in the Mediterranean – and beyond. This aggressive behaviour is effectively poisoning the climate, undermining any efforts towards de-escalation. As for natural resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, Turkey is currently performing its 12th consecutive illegal seismic survey over the course of the past 18 months, after carrying out six illegal drilling operations within our maritime zone, which is delimited in accordance with international law. The offshore exploration blocks have been duly licensed to international and European energy companies by the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara also continues its provocations against Greece, announcing yet another illegal seismic survey in Greece’s continental shelf, despite efforts to create a climate conducive to dialogue.

Are you satisfied with the EU’s response of imposing sanctions on Turkey for its “unauthorised activities” in the Cypriot coastal region?

One can appreciate that, for a small country like Cyprus, the only means at our disposal to protect ourselves are in the upholding of international law. Therefore, in an environment where others wish to impose the law of the jungle, international legality is of an existential nature to us. This is a point that Serbia fully shares with Cyprus. In November 2020, the EU renewed its sanctions regime against Turkey in response to escalating violations of international law. Belgrade aligned itself with this decision. Clearly, Ankara’s illegal actions constitute a direct threat to our integrity and sovereign rights. Further sanctions should be imposed, given the gravity of the noted violations. Certain EU member states are hesitant to consent, for their own reasons.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has assessed that the time has come to resume talks on the reunification of Cyprus. Do you believe that talks leading to a final solution are possible at this juncture?

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, has reiterated our commitment to resume negotiations on the agreed basis achieved in 2017, after the last round of talks in Crans- Montana, Switzerland. Indeed, the UN Secretary General plans to convene an informal meeting in New York, in late February, with the participation of Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom, in order to assess prospects for the resumption of negotiations. However, repeated statements by Ankara and the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community directly questioning the agreed basis and openly advocating a “two state” solution are not conducive to meaningful negotiations with realistic prospects for success.

The occupation of part of the territory of Cyprus began almost half a century ago. It would probably be interesting for readers in Serbia to hear why no Cypriot government has ever considered giving up the fight for the northern part of Cyprus, which you still refer to as the occupied territory?

Turkey aims at imposing the permanent division of Cyprus, through a “two-state” solution. Turkey’s illegal occupation, in violation of international law, has been condemned by the UN and other international bodies. No Government of the Republic of Cyprus will ever give up on our sovereign rights. It is instructive for your readers to know that Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of Cyprus to the EU provides that “the Republic of Cyprus enters the EU as a whole and that the Acquis is suspended in the occupied area”. It is clear that the Acquis is suspended in the northern Turkish occupied part of the island. In short, Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty envisages “the suspension of the Acquis in the areas of the country that are not under the effective control of the Government of Cyprus”. Moreover, Turkey’s refusal to abide by the obligation to execute judgements of the European Court of Human Rights related to Cyprus, especially the 4th Interstate case of Cyprus vs. Turkey, cannot be tolerated. We are grateful that Serbia sees eye-to-eye with us on this matter.

REGIONAL PRESS

Corruption is key obstacle on B&H’s path to EU (Fena)

The EU Delegation (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) stated that one of the key priorities for B&H’s accession to the EU is progress in the field of rule of law, and especially the ability of judiciary to provide concrete results in fight against organized crime and corruption. “B&H needs more deliberate political dedication to the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all areas of society, as well as prevention of conflict of interest with the goal of more efficient fight against corruption and rebuilding of citizens’ trust in institutions,” the EUD stated. The EUD reminded that it has repeatedly called on relevant authorities to adopt the new state-level law on conflict of interests which would be harmonized with the European standards. The Delegation also reminded of the necessity of adoption and efficient implementation of the law on protection of whistleblowers. According to the EUD, the number of final verdicts in high-level corruption cases is very low, and the indications on corruptive practices during the pandemic highlight the need to improve efficiency in processing of corruption cases. The report also notes that B&H has failed to make any significant progress in implementation of recommendations from the 2019 Report on B&H or the recommendations from the report of judiciary expert. The main obstacles for successful processing of corruption are lack of harmonization of laws at different levels of authorities and poor institutional cooperation. The EU warned that B&H needs to urgently adopt the Anti-Corruption Strategy for period of 2020-2024 and the accompanying Action Plan. B&H Agency for Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of Fight Against Corruption stated that the annual reports of the EC clearly show that corruption is widespread in B&H and that it is the key obstacle to B&H’s progress on the path to EU. According to the Agency, no meaningful progress will be possible without the will at political and administrative level. Transparency International Executive Director Ivana Korajlic stated that most of the 14 priorities from EC’s Opinion on B&H’s membership application refer to the rule of law and fight against corruption, which indicates how mush corruption is undermining B&H’s path to EU. According to her, political elites are very openly undermining and obstructing rule of law and fight against corruption.

Parties fail to reach agreement on candidate for new Mayor of Mostar (O kanal)

BH Bloc organized on Monday a meeting of representatives of all political parties represented in the Mostar City Council. They have come to an agreement that there will be no blockades when it comes to formation of authority but they have yet to agree on who will be elected as the Mayor of Mostar. They have reached consensus and agreed to elect the Mostar City Council leadership at the first few sessions. SDP Councilor Arman Zalihic stated that it is evident there is no agreement of the parties on who to elect as the Mayor of Mostar and it was not expected to be reached during the meeting held on Monday as all three blocs have their own candidates. No one has given up on the position of the Mayor of Mostar, commented the reporter, but is expected that the candidate to be elected would be from HDZ B&H. HDZ B&H candidate for this post Mario Kordic stated that it would be much better to change the system of electing the Mayor of Mostar. “There are lawyers who said that for that to happen there should be changes to the constitutional provisions,” said Kordic. Candidate of the Coalition for Mostar for the Mayor of Mostar Zlatko Guzin said he was not pleased with the results and conclusions of the meeting. Guzin stated he expected an agreement on the process of voting. “Also, during the introduction, representatives of SDP instantly announced that they will request changes of the Statute at the first session, which is legally disputable,” commented Guzin. It was stated at the meeting that the new leadership will be elected on Friday at the inaugural session of the Mostar City Council and that they will start solving the piled-up problems of Mostar City, concluded the reporter.

Maric: I am certain that we will elect new Mostar Mayor by mid-February (Hayat)

The first meeting of all parties that will take part in the work of the new City Council of Mostar was held on Monday. Many of the participants believe that the meeting was constructive, but SDA does not agree with that. President of the SDA Mostar Board Salem Maric primarily pointed out that the good thing was that all parties took part in this meeting and the atmosphere was positive one. That being said, Maric believes that no concrete conclusions were made. He points that the meeting lasted only one hour and did not give any hope to the parties or the citizens of Mostar that things in the future City Council could be resolved swiftly. There were many topics mentioned at the beginning of the meeting, six parties attended, which means each had only around 10 minutes to present their views, Maric stated. “The important thing is that talks started, and I fear that intentions today were not to reach any significant agreements before the inaugural session on Friday. The intention was probably to show that somebody can gather all political subjects in one place,” Maric concluded. SDA expected concrete preparations to be made on Monday, so that Friday’s inaugural session of the new City Council in Mostar passes as smoothly as possible. Maric hopes that Friday’s session will conclude with election of the City Council leadership and the beginning of process for election of a new Mayor. “I am certain that we will elect the new Mayor by mid-February,” Maric said. Asked if the vote for Mayor will be public, Maric said that they will insist on such a model. “I believe that is the best. Transparent and public”, he said, adding that this would show the public how each of the parties voted. Maric said that if someone continues to insist on secret vote, then that will probably mean that some representatives in the City Council have already been bought. When commenting the amendments to the Statue of the City of Mostar, Maric reminded that they are obliged to make the necessary changes in line with the made amendments to the Election Law of B&H. He added that SDA will accept all changes that are good for the citizens of Mostar. In his comment on formation of authorities and the made agreement between SDA and HDZ B&H from last year, Maric said that this agreement does not mean they already have everything determined and claims on their continued cooperation in Mostar are just speculations. He emphasized that all those that believe SDA has an agreement with HDZ B&H should enter negotiations with HDZ B&H on formation of authorities and they should try and form authorities without SDA and make changes to the Statute, in agreement with HDZ B&H. They should not only make accusations on SDA’s account and not do anything concrete, Maric stressed. “We have not made any agreement, and especially now, we do not want to, because this is a historical moment for pro-B&H parties, or as some say pro-Mostar parties, to have their own Mayor. We achieved majority in the City Council” Maric said. He fears that someone wishes to break up the ‘Coalition for Mostar 2020’ and the other two pro-B&H coalitions, so that the new Mayor is not elected from their ranks.

Covic: HDZ B&H candidate should be elected as new Mayor of Mostar (N1)

According to HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic, the candidate of HDZ B&H should be elected as the new Mayor of Mostar. He stressed that HDZ B&H won the most seats and the most votes in the elections and their candidate Mario Kordic should be elected as the Mayor. Covic claims that this was previously agreed upon with SDA. He said that at the first session of the City Council the councilors will be inaugurated and it is not expected for any important decisions to be discussed, but HDZ B&H will propose the adoption of the new city Statute and the election of Kordic as the Mayor. Covic added that it is clear that the President of the City Council will be a Bosniak.

SNSD to file criminal complaints against B&H Central Election Commission members and three judges of Court of B&H (ATV)

SNSD will file on Tuesday individual criminal complaints against members of the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) and three judges of the Court of B&H. Advisor for legal issues to SNSD leader Marko Sukalo said for ATV there had been numerous omissions in organization of elections in Doboj and Srebrenica, including misconduct in office and, in case of the judges, violation of the Election Law. “The Court of B&H has rejected our complaints and we have found ourselves in a situation to file criminal complaints against the B&H CEC members, but also against the judges of the Court of B&H, because they jointly committed those criminal offences,” said Sukalo. He added that SNSD does not trust the institutions of B&H, but “by acting this way we prove we respect the system, we fight using all legal ways to serve justice”.

ATV reports that 1,000 citizens of Doboj have already prepared criminal complaints against the B&H CEC members. SNSD list leader for Doboj Sanja Vulic said that if the “vacuum of uncertainty’’ continues preventing the implementation of projects and investments, all 70,000 Doboj citizens will be invited to file criminal complaints. The reporter comments that the criminal complaints may include a statement of the B&H CEC member Suad Arnautovic of election results “being fruit of poisonous tree in some places”, who was the first to initiate the story about repeated elections in Srebrenica. According to SNSD, there are sufficient reasons to believe that the repeated elections in Srebrenica had been planned on the day of local elections.

Covic: Changes to B&H Election Law in line with Mostar agreement are top priority (Hayat)

The HDZ B&H Presidency discussed in Mostar on Monday the current political situation in B&H, the report on implementation of recently held local elections and the political activities in connection to the inter-party agreement on amendments to the Election Law of B&H, which was signed in Mostar. They said that the B&H Election Law is key for B&H’s future and an imperative for all political options, and that there is no space for postponing dialogue and negotiations which strengthen the sovereignty of a European B&H. Addressing a press conference following the session, leader of HDZ B&H and President of the HNS Dragan Covic stated that HDZ B&H and the HNS set changes to the B&H Election Law in line with the agreement that was signed in presence of representatives of international institutions as a top priority. He announced a meeting on Wednesday evening with the abovementioned representatives of international institutions in order to define dynamics of activities necessary to finish the job by June 2021 and adopt the law in the B&H Parliament. Covic underlined that June 2021 is the red line that they will not cross. In his opinion, this means that they have to intensively work already today. Nova BH reported that Covic will meet with leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic on Friday to discuss amending of the Election Law of B&H. The meeting between Covic and Izetbegovic will take place in Mostar the same day the inaugural session of the Mostar City Council takes place. “I am convinced that in the next month or two we will have to discuss among ourselves. If it is HDZ (B&H) and SDA, then ok. If it is not HDZ (B&H) and SDA, then we will see how to do it according to another model, so that we come to the Election Law. The Election Law must be adopted. We cannot come even close to next year, which is an election year, without resolving the issue of the decisions of the Constitutional Court, and of course all the other decisions that we referred to there,” stated Covic. Covic also believes that the removal of the members of B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) is necessary and HNS is of the opinion that B&H CEC operates illegally. HDZ B&H Presidency called the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to react to illegalities and criminal acts and to punish responsible individuals in B&H CEC. “B&H CEC unsuccessfully tried, by ‘officially’ completing the election process in Mostar, to divert attention away from organized criminal attempt by Bosniak parties and central institution for carrying out the election process. Severe criminal acts of serious election thefts were determined in only 15 out of 150 polling stations, where hundreds of votes were added to individual political parties and more than 1,000 preferences each to individuals from lists” a press statement of HDZ B&H Presidency noted.

SDA calls on HDZ B&H to unblock process of implementation of 2018 General Elections results (Hayat)

SDA welcomed HDZ B&H’s commitment to swift work on implementing all key priorities stated in the European Commission’s (EC) Opinion on B&H. SDA called on HDZ B&H to unblock the process of implementation of the 2018 General Elections results as soon as possible and to allow new authorities to be formed in the Federation of B&H. SDA also hopes that HDZ B&H Ministers in the B&H Council of Ministers (B&H CoM), B&H Minister of Justice Josip Grubesa and B&H Minister of Finance and Treasury Vjekoslav Bevanda, will soon propose three laws which are key priorities for B&H’s progress on the EU path. These three laws are: Law on Conflict of Interest, Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H and Law on Public Procurements. SDA reminded that these proposals of laws should have been forwarded by the abovementioned Ministries a year ago.

MEP Fajon: I fear for B&H, it is like ticking bomb (Dnevni list)

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Slovenia Tanja Fajon said that she fears for B&H because “if we do not invest more efforts, it is like some sort of ticking bomb in the whole region of the Western Balkans”. Fajon said that when it comes to the EU’s role, she has a feeling that when Catherine Ashton left the position of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ashton who dealt with B&H, “we have somehow given up, that the EU has lost the effort to invest in the country”.

PM: Italian Socialists who visited Croatia were not official EP Delegation (Hina)

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday the Italian members of the European Parliament who privately visited Croatia recently and tried to break Croatian law in order to illegally cross the Bosnian border were not an official European Parliament delegation. It was a political move by a group of Italian Socialists, he told the press, adding that official visits were arranged via the European Parliament and that this was not the case this time. "The main rule is to respect the legal climate of the country you go to. There was neither an official delegation here nor was Croatian law respect. It turns out that it was arranged by the Socialists with Croatia's SDP (Social Democratic Party)," Plenkovic said. Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic was right to ask "whose national interests do SDP members in the EU parliament protect? Are they the interests of a third party or should they be Croatian interests," he added. Plenkovic said such behavior was unacceptable and contrary to all norms, adding that this week he would contact the European Parliament leadership to clear this up.

VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Nikoloski meets Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto to discuss the need to open Macedonia’s EU accession talks (Republika)

VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. The meeting is a follow-up to his recent visit to Budapest, along with VMRO leader Hristijan Mickoski, during which they met with Prime Minister Orban. “We discussed deepening the cooperation and enhancing the capacities of our sister parties, Fidesz and VMRO-DPMNE, within the European People’s Party and continuing our efforts to unblock the path to the European Union. I pointed out that it is exceptionally important not to waste any more time with the integration of Macedonia and that any form of help and lobbying from our friends such as Hungary is welcome. The high level of corruption and the impunity of criminals was confirmed by the latest Transparency International report and it signals the Government of Macedonia is losing track of its priorities. But that must not mean that the state and the citizens should be hostages to this incompetent Government. It was noted that it is high time for Macedonia to begin its accession talks and Hungary gives its full support in this regard,” Nikoloski said after the meeting. Nikoloski will continue his trip to Belgrade, where he will meet the Portuguese Ambassador, who is resident for Macedonia. Portugal holds the rotating presidency of the European Union at this critical time for Macedonia’s accession prospects. In January Mickoski and Nikoloski had a tour of Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia, during which they met with the prime ministers of these countries, to discuss the opening of EU accession talks with Macedonia.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbia ‘not happy’ with Israel’s recognition of Kosovo, says it will impact ties (The Times of Israel, 2 February 2021)

Belgrade, which denies the statehood of former province, unhappy after investing ‘serious efforts’ in relations with Jerusalem

Serbia’s foreign minister said Tuesday the government was “not happy” with Israel’s decision to recognize Kosovo, a former Serbian province whose statehood Belgrade denies and has waged a diplomatic battle to delegitimize. The reaction came a day after Israel and Kosovo established diplomatic ties in what was a major victory for Pristina’s efforts to gain full global recognition of the independence it declared in 2008 following a war with Serbia in the 1990s. Kosovo has since been recognized by much of the Western world, but its rejection by Serbia’s key allies Russia and China has locked it out of the United Nations. Until Monday, Israel was another key holdout on Belgrade’s side. Israel and Kosovo formally established diplomatic ties this week, with the Muslim-majority territory also recognizing Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s capital — putting it at odds with the rest of the Islamic world. “We have invested serious efforts in our relations with Israel in recent years and we are not happy with this decision,” Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said Tuesday on public broadcaster RTS. Israel’s move will “undoubtedly influence relations between Serbia and Israel,” he added. Since establishing ties in 1991, the countries have maintained good relations with growing Israeli investment in the Balkan state. In a ceremony held over Zoom in Jerusalem and Pristina, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his counterpart from the Republic of Kosovo, Meliza Haradinaj Stublla, on Monday signed a joint declaration establishing ties. “The establishment of relations between Israel and Kosovo is an important and moving historical step that reflects the many changes the region has experienced in recent months,” Ashkenazi said. “Today, Kosovo officially joins the circle of countries that aspire to peace and stability and recognize Israel, and Jerusalem as its capital,” he said. The foreign ministers signed two cooperation agreements — one to establish their diplomatic relations and the other relating to the activities of Israel’s international development agency Mashav. They will send each other copies via email, each to be signed by their counterpart, according to the Foreign Ministry. The decision on mutual recognition between Kosovo and Israel was achieved last September at a summit of Kosovo-Serbia leaders at the White House in the presence of then-US president Donald Trump. At the meeting, Belgrade also agreed to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, which it has not done so far. When Kosovo opens its embassy in Jerusalem it will become the third country after the US and Guatemala to open an embassy in Israel’s capital. Other countries, like Honduras, have pledged to move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem as well. The Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in late 2017 and moved the US embassy there in May 2018. Israel last year inked a series of deals brokered by the Trump White House to establish diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. The Arab parties to the historic Abraham Accords have all maintained that their diplomatic missions in Israel will be in Tel Aviv. Kosovo had not previously recognized Israel not only because its Muslim majority was opposed to it, but also because Israel had not recognized Kosovo yet either. One reason Israel avoided doing so was that it did not want to support a unilateral declaration of statehood — which Jerusalem feared could create a dangerous precedent followed by the Palestinians. Kosovo’s parliament declared independence from Serbia in 2008, nine years after NATO conducted a 78-day airstrike campaign against Serbia to stop a bloody crackdown against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.