LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: Everything signed in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue must be implemented (Euronews/RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday that everything that was signed in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and that was also signed by the EU representatives must be implemented. In an interview for Euronews Vucic pointed out that, when it comes to the Community of Serb Municipalities, four agreements were signed under the auspices of the EU, namely the implementation plan, principles, management and the First Agreement. “These are four agreements. We have already signed everything and, of course, it was signed by the EU representatives and it must be implemented. And that is not the end goal. The ultimate goal is for Serbs and Albanians to live together, to live much better and to respect each other, without enmity. “I don’t plan to talk about anyone’s guilt, it doesn’t matter if it will happen in three months or three years, but if we succeed, it will be a historic success,” Vucic said. Asked whether he is preparing for the next round of talks with representatives of the so-called of the state of Kosovo, and what the “red lines” are, he stated that he does not talk about them often, because if he does, then “the other side only insists on them”, and he emphasized that it is more important to find compromise solutions. “Of course, both sides have their red lines and I can’t deny that, but we have to, I believe both sides, do a lot to normalize the situation between our nations, our peoples, and bearing that in mind, I believe it is in the interest of both sides to ensure the free flow of goods, people, and capital. We have to work very diligently on that, as well as on implementing all previous agreements,” said Vucic. According to Euronews, Vucic, when asked whether Serbia is ready to make some concessions to the Kosovo side when it comes to membership in the Council of Europe or at least to start that procedure, said that they “already started that procedure in the Council of Europe, but they have not asked Serbia and that they don’t need Serbia for that’, but also pointed out that there are regulations and a plan that “proposed by the Germans and the French” in relation to international organizations. “I told Macron and Scholz directly what I think about Kosovo’s admission to the United Nations. But we are ready to talk about other issues, we are always ready to talk. Likewise, we have to discuss some laws that must be adopted, and I will discuss this in Ohrid with my interlocutors and some other people,” said Vucic.

 

Vucic, Escobar discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Washington's special Western Balkans envoy Gabriel Escobar on Wednesday to discuss the process of normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations, establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities and possibilities for finding sustainable and compromise solutions in the EU-facilitated dialogue. Vucic reiterated Serbia's unchanged position regarding preservation of peace and stability in the region and solving outstanding issues between Belgrade and Pristina, with emphasis on full implementation of all agreements signed to date and protection of state and national interests. Vucic thanked the US for supporting the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, as well as for its engagement in terms of the security and protection of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities, the presidential press office said in a statement.

 

Escobar: EU proposal about normalisation, not recognition (Tanjug)

 

US special Western Balkans envoy Gabriel Escobar said on Thursday an EU proposal on normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations was an agreement on normalisation, rather than mutual recognition. Addressing a press conference at the US Embassy in Belgrade after a two-day visit during which he met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Escobar said he expected the leaders in Belgrade and Pristina to be able to hear each other. He said they should discuss the way forward towards signing the agreement and think about ways of overcoming obstacles. Escobar added that the US position was that Kosovo was an independent country with territorial integrity and sovereignty, and that Washington believed that mutual recognition would be beneficial to the entire region. He also said UN membership for Kosovo would bring faster EU integration of not only Kosovo and Serbia, but the entire region as well. "By implementing the agreement on the community with the Serb majority, we hope to improve the position of the Serbs in Kosovo," said Escobar. "I wouldn't dwell on the negative aspects," he said, referring also to the Kosovo elections: "We would like to see as much Serb participation in the Kosovo elections as possible. To see to that they participate in the elections."

Asked what is happening in other parts of the Serb community, such as the police: "We would like Serbs to participate in all parts of the community and not only to be candidates in those elections, but to return as teachers, judges, police officers... to return to institutions," he concluded. "This part of Europe is the fastest growing part of the continent and is seen as a leader in the IT industry, renewable energy in the 21st century... But people who live here don't believe it. They think this is a region of conflict. The exact opposite is true. It is a region with huge capacity, a promising region," he said. He added that everything that was once agreed remains valid, and that includes the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO). "I would like this agreement to open the door and to finally have a normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo."

 

Brnabic: Importance, significance of full implementation of Brussels agreement (RTS/Tanjug)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked yesterday with US Deputy Assistant Secretary overseeing policy towards the countries of the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar. She underlined that Serbia’s goal is to preserve peace and stability and strengthen cooperation in the region, as well as commitment to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and the resolution of outstanding issues. Brnabic highlighted the importance and significance of the full implementation of the agreements signed so far, first and foremost the Brussels agreement, and the significance of forming the Community of Serb Municipalities. Brnabic thanked Escobar on the support of the US to the dialogue which is held under the Eu auspices, and on the support which this country gives to the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. Brnabic and Escobar also spoke about the overall cooperation between the two countries and its further improvement.

 

Vucic thanks China for persevering friendship, support to Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)

 

We are grateful to our Chinese friends for their persistent commitment to respect of UN SC Resolution 1244, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wrote in a post on his Instagram profile on Wednesday, thanking China and its President Xi Jinping for their persevering friendship and support. Peace must remain a legacy of mankind from which we will draw the strength for global strategic stability that will ultimately result in common, sustainable security of all countries, Vucic said. "Just like PR China, Serbia advocates strict compliance with the fundamental principles of international law. As a permanent UN SC member, PR China has always been committed to preservation of peace, providing diplomatic support to Serbia's territorial integrity and our attempts to defend the international legal order," Vucic added. He noted that China's engagement in Serbia's infrastructure, energy and mining sectors had been a significant boost to the Serbian economy, job creation and opportunities for citizens, also helping to promote cooperation and exchange between the two peoples. "I thank President Xi and PR China for the persevering friendship and support. Long live our steely friendship! Long live China! Long live Serbia!" Vucic concluded in the post, published on occasion of an online meeting that was a part of dialogue between the Communist Party of China and other political parties from around the world.

 

Good cooperation, constant communication between Serbian government, Council of Europe (RTV/Tanjug)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked yesterday with Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatovic. In an open conversation, good cooperation and the importance of constant communication between the government of Serbia and the Council of Europe on all important topics was highlighted. Brnabic and Mijatovic discussed the issues of freedom of expression and assembly. Brnabic informed the Commissioner of the Council of Europe about everything that the institutions undertake in cases of endangering the safety of journalists. She said that threats and physical attacks on journalists are a red line, while Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic highlighted the extreme importance of ending the current court processes in cases of murders of journalists, and above all the case of the murdered journalist Slavko Curuvija. Brnabic pointed out that she personally and the government of Serbia are committed to constant dialogue with civil society organisations, primarily with the members of the National Convention on the EU on all topics. The Ministry of the Interior holds regular meetings with representatives of the Convention regarding the Draft Law on Internal Affairs. Brnabic and Mijatovic also discussed current issues of human and minority rights, with the assessment that cooperation with civil society organisations and international partners is important for strengthening the entire society.

 

Serbia highly appreciates role of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (RTV/Tanjug)

 

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic talked yesterday with Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Dunja Mijatovic about the situation of human rights and freedoms, transitional justice, women’s rights and gender equality, as well as freedom of expression, assembly and association. Dacic pointed out that reforms remain our main priority and expressed his gratitude to the Council of Europe for its support in the reform process. Dacic emphasised that it is necessary to strengthen the political dialogue among the members of the Council of Europe, and particularly underlined Serbia's commitment to stability in the region and to ensuring a favourable climate for dialogue and resolving all open issues in a peaceful and responsible manner. Dacic pointed to numerous steps that have been taken in the area of the rule of law, evaluating it as a clear indication of commitment to European integration and the creation of stable foundations for further development. The interlocutors exchanged opinions on the state of rights and freedoms of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, including the rights and freedoms of returnees, which were analysed in the Commissioner's Memorandum, published after her visit to the province in June last year. In that document, numerous obstacles to the sustainable return of the Serbian population to Kosovo and Metohija were identified.

 

Jeremic: Serbia to resist the acceptance of Kosovo as an independent state (Beta)

 

The President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) Vuk Jeremic said in Baku that Serbia should strongly and bravely resist “unprincipled pressures to accept the independence of its southern province, Kosovo and Metohija”. “Serbia should learn from Azerbaijan’s experience. The country’s sovereignty was threatened in Nagorno-Karabakh, and it faced unfavourable suggestions as to how the matter should be resolved, but Baku refused to accept any of them,” Jeremic said during a lecture on geopolitics in the Balkans he gave at the ADA University in Baku. When asked about the so-called “Franco-German proposal” for the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, Jeremic said that Serbia had been under pressure to accept an independent Kosovo. “I am strongly against signing the agreement, because it can create permanent negative consequences. The agreement provides an equal legal status for Serbia and Kosovo, prescribing also that Serbia will not block Pristina’s membership of international organizations,” says Jeremic, also the President of the opposition People’s Party.

 

Part of opposition calls for protest against French-German agreement on Kosovo (Beta/Politika)

 

The President of the Dveri Movement Bosko Obradovic, of the New Democratic Party Milos Jovanovic, of the Oath Keepers Milica Djurdjevic Stamenkovski, and of the Movement for the Revival of the Kingdom of Serbia Vojislav Mihailovic invited on 15 March their parties’ sympathizers and the people of Serbia to join “the great national rally” that will be held in front of the Church of St. Sava and of the Presidency on 17 March, against the French-German, i.e. the EU’s agreement on Kosovo. Speaking at a news conference in front of the Church of St. Sava, Obradovic stated that the gathering on 17 March at 6:00 p.m., titled “Serbia Remembers, Guards and Shall Not Cede!” would also mark “the anniversary of the March 2004 pogrom against the Serbs [in Kosovo] and 24 years since the start of NATO’s bombing of Serbia.” He stated that it had come to their knowledge that “the authorities intend to infiltrate provocateurs and try to cause incidents,” and pointed out that “the current authorities will be responsible for every incident.” Obradovic also said that, besides the police, the protest rally and march would be secured by the party’s “stewards”.

 

Lajcak revealed what will be the main topic in Ohrid (Tanjug)

 

The EU Special Envoy for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajcak said that the acceptance of the European proposal was a positive message. In order to implement the agreement, the order of the next steps, as well as the deadlines, and who should do what must now be determined, Lajcak said at the online conference Europe and Russia on the Balkan Front, organized by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI). "Since the agreement was accepted, we are focused on the implementation of the annex, which is a key element," he pointed out. Lajcak also said that the goal of his last visit to Pristina and Belgrade was to hear the opinions of both sides about the mentioned annex and that based on what he heard, until the meeting between the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and the Prime Minister of Pristina's temporary institutions Albin Kurti in Ohrid on Saturday, a "new consolidated version of the annex based on the original text" was prepared. He said the next steps and time frame needs to be defined and added that annexes have been drawn up to implement the EU-proposed agreement. A new version of annexes is being drawn up and will be discussed in Ohrid on Saturday, he said. "That should be the basis of our discussions in Ohrid, and if we manage to reach an agreement on this annex, then the job is done," Lajcak said. Lajcak assessed that the last meeting between Vucic and Kurti on 27 February was the best so far, that it was difficult, but very open and honest. He also stated that the geopolitical situation has changed and that the EU has realized that its role in the Western Balkans has also changed. Its role, as he stated, has become more strategic and more political. "It is very important that we convey the message that the EU is now more ready for the Balkans, probably more than the Balkans are ready for the EU, so it is extremely important to understand that the door is now open again," Lajcak concluded.

 

Borrell: Time for Belgrade, Pristina to demonstrate responsibility (Tanjug)

 

EU foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he expected Saturday's Ohrid meeting, which will focus on the implementation annex of a proposed EU agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, to result in far-reaching normalisation of relations between the two sides. "This Saturday, I will convene a high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. This time is different from previous meetings. Not just because I will meet President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and PM of Kosovo Albin Kurti in the region, in Ohrid, North Macedonia, instead of in the familiar halls of the European External Action Service in Brussels. But also, because we will focus our discussion on the Implementation Annex of the recent EU Agreement that will result in far-reaching normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia," Borrell wrote in a post on his blog. "Both together will, in essence, result in normalisation of life of people in the region and open Kosovo’s and Serbia’s respective path towards joining the EU," he added. "The EU is the eventual home for Serbia and Kosovo. I will continue to work tirelessly towards eventually reaching a comprehensive agreement on normalisation of relations that is acceptable to EU member states, is in line with international law and the European acquis, and contributes to regional stability. The agreement on the table is an important step towards that objective," he noted. "This is the time for the leaders of Kosovo, Serbia and of the entire Western Balkans to show courage, and to demonstrate shared responsibility for the success of the EU accession process of the region," Borrell also said.

 

Zakharova: I can’t travel to Serbia because of sanctions (Beta)

 

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on 15 March that “illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions” had prevented her from accepting an invitation by Serbian Minister of Economy Rade Basta for “a traditional Serbian dinner”, adding she would be waiting for him in Moscow. On her Telegram account, Zakharova commented on the minister’s invitation for “a Serbian traditional dinner, if she can come, and knows how,” after she had criticized him for the position that Serbia should introduce sanctions against Russia, urging the government of Serbia to voice its opinion on the matter. “Since I cannot visit Serbia due to illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions, the introduction of which you have urged, I’ll be waiting for you here, in Moscow,” Zakharova said.

 

Pristina court extends detention for Kosovo Serb (Tanjug/Politika)

 

A Pristina basic court has extended by two months the detention of Kosovo Serb Sladjan Trajkovic, a former police officer charged with alleged war crimes, his wife confirmed to Tanjug on Wednesday. "In the absence of the lawyer and my husband, the prosecutor again conducted a hearing of witnesses and said she now has 30 witnesses, while she previously said there were six of them," said Suzana Trajkovic. "Lawyer Dejan Vasic lodged an appeal and again requested that he (Trajkovic) be allowed to receive treatment at the Kosovska Mitrovica clinical hospital or released to house arrest," she said. She said Trajkovic had not even been informed of the court's decision and had only learned of it during a phone conversation with her. "Today they took him to Pristina to see a doctor - they did not tell him anything about what his test results are or what therapy the doctors prescribed," Suzana Trajkovic said, adding that her husband's health was still in danger. Under the decision, Trajkovic will remain in detention until 15 May. He was arrested in southern Kosovska Mitrovica on 15 December over an alleged war crime committed in Vucitrn in 1999.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

US’ OFAC imposes sanctions against former OSA B&H Director Mehmedagic, RUGIP Director Stankovic and leader of Tito and Dino Cartel Gacanin (N1)

 

N1 carries that the US blacklisted on Wednesday former Director of the Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Osman Mehmedagic, Director of the Republika Srpska (RS) Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs (RUGIP) Dragan Stankovic and leader of the Tito and Dino Cartel Edin Gacanin. The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a press release stating that Mehmedagic used the state-owned company ‘BH Telecom’ to collect cellular activity on B&H politicians not affiliated with SDA. “Mehmedagic also instructed an individual to monitor a government official affiliated with a RS entity opposition party. Additionally, Mehmedagic has used his position, threats, and connections to sway candidates from the pro-Bosnian coalition ‘The Eight’ to support SDA. There is also credible information that Mehmedagic has collaborated with criminal networks to enrich himself and his political party”, reads the press release by OFAC. The OFAC designated Mehmedagic for being complicit in corruption, or having directly or indirectly engaged in corruption including misappropriation of public assets, expropriation of private assets for personal gain or political purposes, or bribery. N1 reports that Stankovic has been blacklisted for obstructing or threatening the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). In its press release, OFAC stated that Stankovic headed the agency responsible for the RS law on immovable property from April 2022 that directly challenged B&H’s constitutional order, which undermines the DPA. “The RS property law attempted usurpation of B&H state authority over state property located in the RS in violation of B&H Constitutional Court decisions, the B&H Constitution, and a 2005 state property disposal ban imposed by the Office of the High Representative (OHR). In his public statements on the property law echoing those of US-sanctioned RS President Milorad Dodik and other RS leaders, Stankovic claimed that the state has no authority over immovable property located in the RS”, reads press release by OFAC. N1 reports that Gacanin has been blacklisted as one of the world’s most prolific drug traffickers. “A native of Sarajevo, Gacanin is the leader of the Tito and Dino Cartel, which includes his family members and his friends from B&H. In addition to narcotics trafficking efforts across multiple countries, Gacanin’s cartel is involved in money laundering and is closely linked to the Kinahan Organized Crime Group, a Transnational Criminal Organization previously designated by OFAC’’, reads the press release by OFAC. It was also stated that sanctions against Gacanin were coordinated closely with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Europol, and the governments of the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier also commented on sanctions. “We are designating three individuals in B&H who have threatened the rule of law, undermined institutions, obstructed or threatened the implementation of the DPA, and materially contributed to the international proliferation of illicit drugs”, wrote Blinken on his Twitter account. “The three individuals designated today constitute a threat to regional stability, institutional trust, and the aspirations of those seeking democratic governance in the Western Balkans. The US will continue to target those who perpetuate corruption and undermine the post-war agreements and institutions established as part of the hard-won DPA”, US Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson was quoted as saying. Commenting on the US sanctions, the US Embassy to B&H published on Twitter that the US government’s sanctions against Mehmedagic, Stankovic and Gacanin testify to their commitment to continue to hold accountable those who undermine B&H’s institutions, Constitution, the Dayton Peace Accords and the rule of law. N1 reports that reacting to sanctions imposed by the US, the OHR issued a statement on its Twitter account that reads as follows: “OHR supports all domestic and international efforts directed at fighting crime and corruption and strengthening the rule of law”. The OHR reminded that the rule of all in all segments of society is a key to development and achieving a prosperous future.

 

SDA condemns US’ decision to blacklist Osman Mehmedagic (AJB)

 

The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) stated on Wednesday that three more persons from B&H were put on the US blacklist including former Director of the B&H Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) Osman Mehmedagic. Mehmedagic is accused of using state-owned telecommunications company BH Telecom for his benefit and the benefit of his political party SDA, and it was stated that there is credible evidence that Mehmedagic collaborated with criminal networks for personal and party enrichment. SDA condemned the actions of the USA in a post on their official website, which stated: “We again request that instead of severe and general accusations against SDA, the domestic public and judiciary are presented with clear and unambiguous evidence: which politicians were followed, when, in what period, what kind of enrichment, in what way, which people got rich, through which criminal network, how much money... Until that happens, we will consider the severe and untrue accusations that are periodically repeated as only additional pressure aimed at attempting to force SDA out of power, despite the election results and in defiance of the Federation of B&H (FB&H) Constitution, in favour of the Troika parties, HDZ and SNSD. SDA will not succumb to any pressure and will continue to lead a policy that is in favour of the state of B&H, to advocate strongly the EU and NATO path, the rule of law, European standards, the equality of all peoples and every citizen throughout the entire territory of the state, and to opposes anti-state policies from whichever side they come from.”

 

Vulic reacts to US blacklisting RUGIP Director Stankovic: US can continue with policy of sanctions and plunder, but it will never rob us of property (RTRS)

 

RTRS carries that, reacting to the US blacklisting Director of the Republika Srpska (RS) Administration for Geodetic and Property Affairs (RUGIP) Dragan Stankovic, Head of SNSD Caucus in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Sanja Vulic said the US can continue with the policy of sanctions and “plunder”, but it will never “rob us of our property”, reminding that under the B&H Constitution, B&H does not have own property and “it can only have it to the extent to which entities give it for use”. Vulic underscored that the B&H Constitution was created by lawyers in the US Administration, modelled after the US Constitution, “and the fact that they later regretted giving the property to entities instead to B&H, that is their problem”. “This US’ violence against the Serb people, today against Dragan Stankovic, should be an example to all of us what awaits us tomorrow, and a clear proof that they do not even know anything else but force, threats and sanctions. This composition of the US Department of State will bring the US into a phase like the one in which their banks are, and those are collapse and failure. The US Embassy officials can continue to listen to Bosniaks from SDA, installed exactly in that Embassy, due to which there will be less of B&H and more of the RS”, Vulic was quoted as saying.

 

Sattler meets Covic in Mostar; Sattler: It is high time to complete formation of authorities in FB&H (BHT1)

 

The Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) in B&H Johann Sattler met with the HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) leader Dragan Covic in Mostar on Wednesday. Sattler attended the discussion called ‘Measures, steps and incentives for improving the energy efficiency of companies and households’, organized by the EUD. Several important topics were discussed the during the meeting between Sattler and Covic, including the constant efforts to finish the implementation of the election results, as well as the steps that need to be taken on B&H’s path to NATO and the EU, noted the presenter. Sattler was quoted as saying: “I said what I had to say about the formation of the authorities. We have been waiting half a year for the Federation of B&H (FB&H), the rest has been formed. It is high time to complete the last step, the FB&H Government. I think there is enough capacity to form it. We still have three weeks for it to be formed and I believe that it will be formed by the beginning of April and that we will be able to move towards important things. What is really important is that we start working on the next steps. We have (EU) candidate status, now we need to work so that by the end of this government's mandate, we have the opening of accession negotiations”. Sattler stressed that the “EU is here to help B&H, this time through the energy program.” He reminded that the EU has prepared an aid package worth EUR 70 million in the field of energy, of which EUR 50 million will be available immediately to help the most endangered groups. He added that the allocation of funds within this part of the program will start at the end of March or at the beginning of April. Covic said that he believes that the FB&H government will be formed within the set deadline. Sattler and Covic agreed that the EU candidate status provides a strong foundation for strengthening of EU integration process and acceleration of the EU path. They also agreed that full implementation of election results is necessary in order to develop a strategic framework for reform. They emphasized that blocking the process of formation of authorities does not serve anyone’s interests, especially at a time when all international partners are offering strong support in all segments, the daily reported. Sattler and Covic welcomed the adoption of 2023 Draft Budget of B&H Institutions. They concluded that the EU will continue being a key partner in resolving key political issues that will provide stability and functionality of B&H and the region.

 

Una-Sana Canton confirms composition of new SDA, NES, DF and the SB&H government (Hayat)

 

The Una-Sana Canton (USC) Assembly, in which the assembly majority is made up of SDA, NES, DF and the SB&H, appointed a new USC government, headed by the former USC Prime Minister Mustafa Ruznic from NES. Ruznic said they finally have political stability, which was missing, and he said that they will now certainly be able to respond to all challenges because they have a strong coalition and a two-thirds majority. Speaker of the USC Assembly Jasmin Music from SDA said that this was the first time that a two-thirds majority appointed the government of the USC. This tells them that the USC will finally be stable. SDP, which was, together with NES, part of the ruling majority in the USC, is now in the opposition. SDP reminded that something that used to be impossible happened, i.e. the renewed cooperation between SDA and NES, because they used to be political rivals. SDP representative in the USC Assembly Fatka Kulenovic reminded that there was a lot of talk at one point that SDP could be the ones to turn their story around. Kulenovic stated: “We did not do that, we remained consistent until the end, supported our partners. Now it has happened, that is how it is in politics, so political subjects, political partners are changing and I hope that SDA, (regarding) all that they criticized in the last mandate, will be that corrective factor.”

 

OHR: Adoption of state law on property is the only way to secure legal security (Fena)

 

Fena reads that RS government transferred ownership over 300,000 square meters in location of ‘Putnikovo Brdo’ to City of Doboj, which is in fact a military facility, registered as state property. The Office of High Representative (OHR) told Fena that the international community will carefully follow this and similar cases. Answering Fena’s inquiry, OHR stated that in line with decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H from 2012, the Constitution of B&H establishes that state of B&H is the owner of state property, including non-prospective military property. Article noted that the OHR once again called on the political parties to adopt the state law on the distribution of state property, which would be in accordance with the decisions of B&H CC, but they did not answer the question whether the OHR, as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement, will take concrete steps in this case. “The adoption of the state law is the only way to ensure legal certainty and use the economic potential of this property. No one should question the rule of law,” OHR stated. This decision was officially made with the aim of enabling certain investments that Doboj is planning, but it is against the repeated decisions of B&H CC, which shows the lack of a register for tracking assets under a prohibition of disposal. Also, RS President Milorad Dodik said that this entity will do everything to return all property to its jurisdiction with the new law on immovable property. The last such law was adopted by the RS parliament, and on the day of its entry into force, the High Representative, Christian Schmidt, suspended the law, and then B&H CC adopted a temporary measure prohibiting the application of the law until a final decision on the merits. Article noted that B&H CC, in six earlier cases ruled that RS parliament does not have constitutional authority to discuss state property because that is the exclusive competence of the Parliamentary Assembly of B&H.

 

HR Schmidt with Cavusoglu: Turkey remains reliable partner (Dnevni avaz)

 

High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt held a meeting in Ankara on Wednesday with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. The officials discussed the current political developments in B&H. "Turkey remains an important and reliable partner for a stable, peaceful, multi-ethnic B&H," emphasized HR after the meeting.

 

Lajcak: B&H is not model of functionality of the state (Dnevni list)

 

Special Envoy of the EU for Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajcak stated that B&H is not the role model for functionality of the state and that today it is necessary to search for solutions in order to accelerate European path of the region. Lajcak noted that RS was decided on Dayton, where the main goal was to stop the war and this needs to be respected: “This was successful, but we are not at war today. We do not need to search for wartime solutions, but for functional solutions. B&H is not the role model for functionality of the state. Today, we are searching for solutions that will accelerate European path of this region.” Lajcak stressed that he is proud because during his mandate as High Representative for B&H, the country signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and added that there is a constant ongoing discussion in B&H about the competences.

 

Komsic visits Norway, meets FM Huitfeldt; They discuss EU-NATO integration (Oslobodjenje)

 

Member of B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic met on Wednesday in Oslo, with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt. Norwegian government expressed full support to B&H and its path toward NATO and the EU, which is facilitated by the fact that since January, Norwegian Embassy to B&H is NATO Contact Point Embassy in B&H. Komsic also met with delegation of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee of Norwegian parliament.

 

UN special rapporteurs demand that draft law, which provides for criminalization of defamation, be withdrawn from agenda of RS parliament’s session (BN TV)

 

The special rapporteurs for the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association of the United Nations (UN) addressed a letter to the authorities of RS in which they demand that the draft law, which provides for the criminalization of defamation, is withdrawn from the agenda of the session of the RS parliament. “The adoption of these amendments would represent a major setback in the legal framework for the protection of freedom of expression in B&H. Also, the proposed amendments would be contrary to the global trend of decriminalization of defamation, which includes the European region, where several EU member states and states with EU candidate status have abolished criminal defamation or have taken steps towards its abolition. Practice has shown that criminal defamation laws are often used against journalists, political opponents, human rights defenders and other persons who are critical of government officials and policies. Prosecutorial powers are effectively used to silence legitimate political criticism. Defamation laws should never be used to prevent criticism of public figures,” the UN special rapporteurs stated in the letter addressed to the RS authorities. “Please provide any additional information and/or comment(s) you may have on the above-mentioned analysis of the draft amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS. Please provide your observations on how the envisaged amendments guarantee the freedom of expression in B&H. Please explain how the government has ensured sufficient public consultation prior to submitting the amendments to parliament”, reads the letter by the UN Special Rapporteurs.

 

Djukanovic: We need to return to our historical vertical and get a state-responsible government (E TV/CdM)

 

“In these elections, on 19 March, Montenegro will decide whether it will return to the path of state building as a serious, organized European state, the path it followed steadily and dynamically from the restoration of independence to the middle of 2020, or whether it will continue to stumble along the Balkan dead ends which unfortunately is led by the new parliamentary majority, led by the first and second governments after the change of government in Montenegro until today,” says the President of Montenegro and DPS presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic. “I think that this is an essential dilemma that we are trying to bring closer to the citizens of Montenegro in this pre-election campaign, to emphasize the importance of this issue and to draw their attention to the fact that, bearing in mind the total devastation of Montenegrin society during the last two and a half years, we are afraid that Montenegro can’t withstand another four-year cycle of such decline”, stresses President Djukanovic in an interview for E TV. Answering questions about what it is that recommends him in the new elections compared to his opponents, Djukanovic says – the results. According to him, unlike other candidates for the highest office in the state of Montenegro, he has the privilege, possibly a danger, but also a privilege, to present himself with results. “So, I am someone who clearly shows that Montenegro had a clear vision during the period in which I was in the position of President of the State or Prime Minister and that this vision was carried out. Therefore, I am not only recommending myself with good wishes. I recommend myself with the preserved peace in Montenegro in the early 1990s, the established economic sustainability of Montenegro during the time of international community sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro, the protection of Montenegro from NATO bombing in 1999, a tolerant approach through signing Belgrade Agreement with the aim of reducing tensions between the two countries ahead of the referendum, the democratic referendum and the restoration of Montenegrin independence in an unusual way in the Balkans – without a drop of spilled blood in conditions of complete stability and I recommend myself with, so to speak, what Montenegro did after the restoration of independence”, he points out. Montenegro, he stresses, showed that independence was not a goal in itself, that we wanted to take the helm of our future into our own hands and that thanks to the good management of that helm, we brought Montenegro into NATO and brought it to the forefront of Europe, carrying out a large number of very valuable investments. “That is my CV that I am presenting to the citizens of Montenegro in these elections, and of course, along with that, I am recommending myself with a clear program of priorities for the next five-year period. The point when it comes to the upcoming five-year period is my firm belief that in that period Montenegro will fulfil all the conditions and become the first next member of the European Union”, says Djukanovic. He believes that if the current parliamentary majority established in the last parliamentary elections in August 2020 had a greater degree of responsibility towards the national interests of Montenegro, the parliamentary elections in Montenegro would have already taken place.

 

Marovic: Djukanovic should dissolve parliament (MINA)

 

The President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic should dissolve parliament and call for early parliamentary elections, says the former DPM and Foreign Policy Minister Jovana Marovic. In an interview with the MINA agency, Marovic has said that Djukanovic must call for elections when the legal conditions are met. When asked if she expected that to happen, Marovic said that she could not give a precise answer. “I am sceptical that any new government will be sufficiently European, but the most logical thing is to have early parliamentary elections,” she said. When asked if she feels responsible for the fact that during her mandate in the government, which she entered after years of monitoring the integration of Montenegro into the EU, the least was done in that process in the last 5 years, Marovic replied that it is debatable to measure. She says she agrees that no progress has been made, but that the situation is completely identical to the one during the entire negotiation process. As she states, Montenegro has not made progress in the negotiation process since 2018, regardless of the fact that it opened the remaining negotiation chapters in that period. She adds that she can partially agree that Montenegro has other complicated issues to resolve compared to those that are the focus of the negotiation process. When asked if she was referring to the Fundamental Agreement between Montenegro and the Serbian Orthodox Church, Marovic stated that this Agreement was one of the reasons why everything, as she stated, went downhill. Marovic has added that she does not dispute that the Fundamental Agreement should have been signed, but that the timing and content are disputed. She has stated that the EU, although it did not have a negative attitude regarding the Open Balkans, gives primacy to the Berlin process. Answering the question of what the chances of Montenegro joining the EU in the next five years are, which is part of the campaign of the current head of state and DPS leader Djukanovic, Marovic says that the President does not manage foreign policy. Commenting on the pre-election campaign for the presidential elections, Marovic has said that the composition of the campaign is strange. “You have a strange kind of tacit cooperation between DPS and DF, at least for those of us who are not familiar with what’s going on behind that, everything leads to Mandic and Djukanovic being in the second round. Then the biggest problem is how a citizen-oriented voter will decide in that case,” says Marovic. She stresses that there is no real civil candidate, but that some are only declaratively that.

 

Gjeloshaj: We believe in political maturity and responsibility of our voters (CdM)

 

The Albanian Forum invites all its voters and followers to exercise their civil rights and vote in the presidential elections, scheduled for 19 March, says Nik Gjeloshaj on behalf of the Albanian Forum, consisting of the Albanian Alternative (AA), the Democratic Alliance of Albanians (DSA), the National Albanian Union (NAU) and the Democratic Alliance (DSCG). He believes that their voters should not be instructed who to support. Gjeloshaj adds that the Albanians in Montenegro have made a great contribution to all the democratic processes of the development of Montenegro. He adds that the Albanian Forum will continue to represent Albanians in Montenegro and will “permanently cooperate with political structures that are partners of the EU, USA, NATO alliance”. The Forum will, he stressed, also advocate good relations with Albania and Kosovo, and in the first in line the parties that promote Montenegro’s pro-western path.

 

Agenda of Kurti – Vucic meeting in Ohrid revealed (MIA)

 

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti will meet with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday in Ohrid, as part of the EU-mediated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. Kurti and Vucic have already confirmed their participation in the meeting, the Radio Television of Kosovo reports. The RTK states that based on an official press release from the EU Delegation to Pristina, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and the EU’s Special Representative for the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue and other Western Balkan affairs Miroslav Lajcak will first hold separate meetings with Kurti and Vucic, and then a joint meeting with the two leaders. They are expected to negotiate and sign the implementation of the European plan for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. According to the announcement of the EU Delegation to Pristina, the first meeting is expected to begin at 10am. The Delegation states that Borrell is expected to give a statement to the media following the conclusion of all meetings. The meeting in Ohrid, which was announced on February 27, will be hosted by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski. In response to MIA’s question last month whether PM Kovachevski would accept to host the meeting, the government gave a positive answer and noted that the European proposal for the normalization of the relations between Belgrade and Pristina is exceptionally important for the future and stability of the region, and that by hosting the meeting North Macedonia reaffirms its role as a factor of stability, as a NATO member state, a state currently negotiating with the EU and chairing the largest security organization in Europe – OSCE. No agreement was reached during Serbian President Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti's meeting with the EU representatives in Brussels towards the end of February, but after the meeting, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Borrell, said that Vucic and Kurti agreed that no further talks over the European proposal are necessary and that it is a framework for the normalization of relations between the two parties. Borrell stated that the talks were intensive and that both Vucic and Kurti showed responsibility.

 

Macedonia will have Albanian prime minister, as agreed by Ahmeti and Zaev, said Grubi (Republika)

 

After Bujar Osmani and Artan Grubi with the same statement – Macedonia will have an Albanian prime minister, as agreed. Vice Prime Minister Artan Grubi said in an interview for the Kosovo television Dukagjini that the agreement between former Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and the leader of DUI, Ali Ahmeti will be implemented, and Macedonia will get an Albanian Prime Minister. In 2020, we came up with a modern campaign, which resonated in Pristina and Tirana, saying that the time has come for the first Albanian prime minister, and this is also Ali Ahmeti’s project, to break the taboos. The time has come to overcome prejudices by electing an Albanian prime minister. The people’s decision was: the Social Democratic Union won 46 parliamentary seats, DUI 15, and together we had 61 deputies, Grubi told the Kosovo television. Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani, said that the agreement to have an Albanian at the head of the government will be implemented “in a few months”.

 

President Pendarovski meets UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Republika)

 

President Stevo Pendarovski met Wednesday with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi, exchanging opinions on possibilities for enhancement of bilateral ties, intensification of economic cooperation, current regional and international developments, as well as political situation in both countries. Pendarovski congratulated him on his appointment as the new president of the United Arab Emirates and expressed confidence that the United Arab Emirates will remain committed to maintaining regional and global peace and security, as our common commitments. The meeting confirmed the positive development of bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed the expectation that good political dialogue, multilateral cooperation and mutual respect will continue with the same dynamics in the future, which will result in concrete cooperation in several areas of common interest.

 

In response to Pendarovski, Radev said that Macedonian history is falsified (Republika)

 

For the sake of Macedonia’s European future, it is necessary that the country’s bilateral relations with Bulgaria be “freed from the ideologies of totalitarianism, which would help for a real and complete dialogue”, said Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in connection with a statement by President Stevo Pendarovski in the week of the commemoration of the deportation of the Macedonian Jews to the Nazi camp “Treblinka” during the Second World War. That way we will all win. In my opinion, the interest of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia in history is commendable, but what is said should be based on historical truth, and politicians in our neighborhood still owe their citizens the truth about their own history. A history that for decades has been shrouded in manipulations and forgeries, said Radev after the awarding ceremony of the “2022 Annual Awards for Responsible Business” at the Bulgarian Forum of Business Leaders. On Sunday, President Pendarovski, in his address in front of the Skopje monument dedicated to the 7,144 deported Macedonian Jews, said that in order to have reconciliation, there should be an apology for the role of the then pro-fascist government in Sofia for the deportation. He demanded an apology from Bulgaria for the role of the pro-fascist government in Sofia at the time in the deportation of Macedonian Jews.

 

Nikolla: USA, the greatest defenders of the Albanian nation (Radio Tirana)

 

The speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla hailed today the 32nd anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Albania and the USA. "On March 15, 1991, after a break of 52 years, diplomatic relations between the USA and Albania were restored. Last year our relations completed a century of history", said Nikolla. Nikola stated that, on July 28, 1922, the USA and Albania recognized each other as states, the USA was a large, powerful and democratic state for 146 years, while Albania was a 10-year-old, small, weak and endangered state. "This recognition and friendship with the United States was among the factors that guaranteed survival, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the process of formation of the Albanian state. Today, the USA is our strategic partner, among the most powerful defenders of the Albanian nation and the biggest guarantors of Albanian democracy", Nikolla writes. 32 years ago, on March 15, 1991, Albania restored diplomatic relations with the United States of America. After a 52-year separation from the West, Albania signed the Memorandum of Understanding in Washington, which provided for the opening of the Albanian embassy across the Atlantic. For this reason, 5 employees were added to the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador, two diplomats and two technical employees (coder and driver). Meanwhile, the US embassy in Tirana was opened on October 1, 1991, with Christopher Hill as Charge d'Affaires "ad interim". Hill was succeeded by Ambassador William Edwin Ryerson, who presented his credentials to the Albanian government on December 21, 1991. The General Directorate of Archives (DPA) published the documents signed by the foreign minister, Muhamet Kapllani and the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Fatos Nano.