LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic on protest: It was all politics, nine thousand protesters tops (TV Happy)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he expected to hear some proposals at the “Serbia Against Violence” protest held Monday in Belgrade, but that “people’s emotions were abused” instead. “They say there wasn’t more than six thousand people outside the parliament, and nine thousand at the protest march at the most,” Vucic told TV Happy. He stressed that, as the President of Serbia, he had asked for an event of this kind not to be organized “not because I was in any way scared or felt threatened, but because I believed it was bad for the country”. “In the end, everything boiled down to politics, they were not concerned about the future of our children even for a second,” said Vucic. The Serbian President said the children in schools will be safer since police officers will be deployed to every school in the country as part of the new measures. “I think both the teachers and the children will feel safer,” said Vucic. He announced that approximately seven million euros will be allocated for the refurbishment of the Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school in Belgrade in which a 13-year-old boy killed eight students and a security guard last Wednesday.

 

Brnabic: Horrible threats at protest (N1)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic lashed out at a newspaper owner who said that “kids will have to resolve Serbia’s fate with rifles” calling it especially horrible because the statement was made during Monday’s anti-violence protest in Belgrade. Brnabic posted a video of Tabloid newspaper owner Milovan Brkic, a fierce opponent of the Serbian authorities under President Aleksandar Vucic, saying those words and adding that Vucic “should be caught and his head ripped off”. “Following two unimaginable tragedies, crimes that shook our society to the core, the message that “kids will have to resolve the fate of Serbia with rifles” and that Vucic should “be caught and his head torn off” appeared at the protest with curses. This is not the first time but it is especially horrible now,” Brnabic said in her Twitter post.

 

Petkovic: Pristina refuses to permit search for missing Serbs for years (RTV/Beta)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said yesterday that, for many years now, Pristina had been obstructing the search for persons who were reported missing during armed conflicts in Kosovo, avoiding allowing the nine locations that might be hiding the bodies of missing Serbs to be examined. During a meeting with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regional delegation Jelena Stijacic and the coordinator for protection and chairperson of the Working Group for Missing Persons Aurelie Gautier, he said that Belgrade had allowed for the examination of 23 locations that Pristina had marked as relevant. Petkovic also said that the Declaration on Missing Persons, which Belgrade and Pristina adopted in Brussels on 2 May, was a civilization issue of exceptional importance, adding that the Serbian party had been insisting on the document for more than two years, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija quoted Petkovic as saying. Petkovic also suggested that it was necessary that the ICRC should step up its activities, in order to make the Declaration operative as soon as possible, and to make the first steps in its implementation. He said that the Committee should “exert necessary influence on Pristina to fulfill the obligations it has accepted”.

 

Strengthening cooperation with Cyprus in areas of common interest (Tanjug/RTV)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic received today Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus Demetrios Theophylactou on a farewell visit, whom she congratulated on his very successful term as ambassador in Belgrade. Brnabic underlined that our bilateral relations are based on firm friendship, mutual trust, historically confirmed closeness and solidarity of the two peoples. At the beginning of the meeting, Theophylactou expressed his condolences to the Prime Minister on the occasion of the tragedies that occurred at the Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school and in Mladenovac. She thanked the Ambassador in particular for the principled position of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and the principled position of Cyprus during the recent examination of the request for the initiation of procedure for the membership of so-called “Kosovo” in the Council of Europe at an extraordinary meeting of the Committee of Ministers of that body, held on 24 April of this year. The interlocutors agreed that the improvement of the bilateral cooperation in the fields of the economy, science, education, scientific research, IT and other should be continued. The Ambassador thanked Brnabic for the cooperation to date, noting that the relations will continue to develop in the future on the basis of solid friendship and trust of many decades.

 

Botsan-Kharchenko: West shown to have no desire to see Community of Serb Municipalities formed (TV Prva/Beta)

 

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko said yesterday that settling the situation in Kosovo was only possible based on Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, and added that the unfolding of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue revealed that there was no desire on the part of the West to see the Community of Serb Municipalities formed. On the topic of an announced Victory Day parade in Russia, the Ambassador told TV Prva that the celebration was one of pride and support to the military, not an act of intimidation, like some are saying in the West. Asked about the war in Ukraine and if a war between Russia and the US should be feared, Botsan-Kharchenko said Moscow was doing everything in its power to stave off conflict and exercising restraint, but that Kiev dealt in provocation. Botsan-Kharchenko expressed condolences over recent shootings in an elementary school in Belgrade and in the Mladenovac surrounding area, stressing that Russia, "as always," stood by the Serb people.

 

Citizens at protest in Belgrade demand halt to violence in Serbia (Beta)

 

The Serbia against Violence protest called by several opposition parties took place in Belgrade on 8 May. The protest began in front of the Serbian parliament with a minute of silence in honor of the victims of two mass shootings last week, in Belgrade and near Mladenovac and Smederevo, which claimed 17 lives and injured 21. Those assembled then began a protest march in silence from Nikola Pasic Square to the Serbian government headquarters. Before the march, Marina Vidojevic, a teacher of Serbian language and literature, briefly addressed the rally, reading the joint demands of the opposition parties who called the protest, noting that the deadline for meeting those demands was 12 May. The demands include an urgent halt to further glorification of violence in the media and public space and sacking of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media Council. The organizers also want print media and tabloids that promote hate and violence and consistently violate the journalist code of ethics to be shut down, television networks that glorify violence, like TV Pink and TV Happy, to lose their national frequencies, and programming that promotes violence, immorality and aggression aired by national-coverage TV networks, like some reality shows, to be terminated. The organizers' demands include the sackings of Serbian Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and Security and Information Agency director Aleksandar Vulin. The organizers of the protest were the Democratic Party, the People's Party, the Green Left Front - Don't Let Belgrade Drown, the Together party, the Freedom and Justice Party, the Free Citizens Movement, the Concord trade union and Movement for a Turnaround. Democratic Party MP Srdjan Milivojevic said more than 50,000 people had assembled at the Serbia against Violence protest, noting that this was a "police estimate". Protest marches were also held in Novi Sad, where several thousand people assembled, and in Cacak and Kragujevac.

 

Bunoza presents results of first 100 days of work (Novosti)

 

In an interview to the daily, Minister of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Davor Bunoza spoke about the results achieved during the first 100 days of the work as well as about the opportunities ahead of B&H when it comes to harmonization of B&H’s legislation with the EU acquis. Bunoza said that he had a number of meetings with holders of judicial positions, ambassadors and representatives of international institutions in the past three months and he added: “In the past 100 days, we adopted more than 400 items at the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H and (B&H CoM) Chair Borjana Kristo deserves lots of credits for this”. Bunoza said that, among other things, the process of adoption of a strategy on the reform of judicial sector was finally launched and a supervisory body for monitoring of the implementation of revised state strategy on work on war crimes cases was appointed. Bunoza reminded that the Law on Freedom of Access to Information at the level of B&H institutions was recently adopted, a draft law on changes and addenda to the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H was prepared, draft law on courts of B&H and draft law on conflict of interests in B&H institutions were completed and he added that he hopes these laws will be discussed before B&H CoM and be adopted latest by June 2023. “All these are crucial laws for the reform of B&H judiciary and we need to adopt them”, Bunoza said. Bunoza also announced that an item with which talks with EUROJUST will be launched is expected to be discussed at the next session of B&H CoM. As for the Law on Freedom of Access to Information at the level of B&H institutions, Bunoza stated that this is an important step towards the establishment of transparency of B&H institutions and he added that he expects the legislative authorities to support it as well. Bunoza also spoke about digitalization of judicial institutions in B&H and said that this is an important task that needs to be completed in a quality manner, knowing that this is one of B&H’s obligations on the EU path. “Unfortunately, we are still using paper documents and postal services instead of electronic communication”, Bunoza said and noted that B&H is lagging behind other countries in the region when it comes to digitalization of public administration and judiciary: “Others are offering their assistance in digitalization, and we must take advantage of it”. Talking about his frequent meetings with foreign ambassadors and diplomats, Bunoza said that the main topics they discussed are obligations which B&H needs to fulfil: “Significant financial amounts were invested in B&H’s judiciary and, I must say, there are no significant results. International officials now expect to see concrete steps and results. The are well-intended, they want to assist us and I thank them for that. We will accept and exploit this assistance because we must start fulfilling obligations which we accepted”. Finally, Bunoza was asked to state how trust of citizens in judiciary can be restored, to which he replied by saying that he regrets the fact that trust of citizens in judiciary is at a very low level, and he added that such a system must be set up to make sure the best legal experts hold positions in the judiciary solely based on their qualities. “As for the Ministry of Judiciary of B&H, we must secure this through our legislation, we must define criteria for selection of judges, prosecutors and public attorneys”, Bunoza said and added that B&H has to look up to other countries in implementation of a reform and it must digitalize the judiciary. “From the point of view of penal procedures, it is obvious that – unfortunately – there are still not enough verdicts for high corruption cases. Because of all of this, we have to seriously and effectively approach the fulfilment of priorities which the European Commission set before B&H on its path to the EU”, Bunoza concluded.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

B&H CoM marks first 100 days of its work; Konakovic presents work results of his Ministry: B&H has returned to focus of international political stage (O Kanal)

 

On the occasion of marking the first 100 days of work of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Council of Ministers (CoM), B&H Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic presented at a press conference held in Sarajevo on Monday the results of work of B&H Foreign Ministry. He stated that B&H has returned in the focus of the international political stage and that the country is again an important factor in important decision-making processes on the European and world political stage. Konakovic reminded of talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that show the renewed strengthening of relations between B&H and the US, as well as of important meetings with the EU officials. He put special accent on relations with the countries of the region, assessing that political stability of the region is crucial for stability of B&H. He said that in the first 100 days the B&H CoM held 15 sessions and passed more than 400 documents, reminding that some of the issues that have waited for too long to be addressed were finally resolved, such as the Europol contact point, the reform program on the EU path, etc. Konakovic stressed that the B&H CoM was faced with more than 600 documents that have been waiting in drawers from the previous mandate of the B&H CoM due to political blockades that marked the past four years. He announced that the B&H CoM plans to hold joint sessions with the Governments of Serbia and Croatian to resolve some of the open bilateral issues between B&H and the two neighbouring countries, such as the ratification of the agreement on border with Serbia, the Croatian plan to build a nuclear landfill at Trgovska Gora, etc. Konakovic also stated that meetings in the region, Europe and world countries have brought new opportunities. He stressed that B&H Foreign Ministry is again an address of important officials from the region, Europe and world. Konakovic said that the electoral reform is one of the issues that need to be addressed by the B&H CoM and that stances on this issue are well-known and quite different. He stated that B&H CoM Chair Borjana Kristo (HDZ B&H) does not hide that her activities on the electoral reform are focused on lobbying for legitimate representation, but that the amendments to the Election Law of B&H and the Constitution of B&H are necessary regardless of HDZ B&H’s wishes. Konakovic stressed that clear commitment of B&H when it comes to continuation of work of B&H Foreign Ministry is to follow the foreign policy of the EU regardless of other countries. He announced that he plans new meetings both in B&H and the countries of the region and world, adding that he expects a meeting with EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhely this month, while the B&H CoM is supposed to hold a joint session with the Croatian Government in June. Konakovic pointed out that this year B&H has fully harmonized its foreign policy with the one led by the European Union, that is, it has joined in condemning and sanctioning Russia for the war in Ukraine. “In B&H, there were objections referring to me because I gave instructions to (B&H Ambassador to UN Sven) Alkalaj and some others to follow the foreign policy of the EU”, Konakovic added. Konakovic repeated that he supports the ‘Open Balkan’, but that what was started from the Berlin process must be finished first. To those who call the ‘Open Balkan’ ‘the Serb world’, Konakovic said that more than five million Muslims and Bosniaks live in the countries that joined the initiative.

 

Most B&H Ministers satisfied with their work; Opposition and HR Schmidt criticize fact there are no legislative proposals in procedure (BHT1)

 

Monday marked the first 100 days of work of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). The reporter notes that most ministers expressed their satisfaction over their work during that period, and although their work has been commended in part, the opposition and High Representative (HR) in B&H Christian Schmidt criticized the fact there are no legislative proposals in procedure. BHT1 carries video footage from December 28, 2022, the day when ministers in the B&H CoM formally assumed their offices, in which B&H CoM Chairwoman Borjana Kristo said: “We will efficiently use our institutional capacities. We will try to communicate stronger the issue of the European integration’’. The reporter reminds that the new B&H CoM convocation was appointed in record time, noting that all ministers expressed optimism with regard to their future work and 100 days later, B&H Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic was the first to present results of their work. BHT1 reports that, commenting on the first 100 days of his work, B&H Minister of Security Nenad Nesic said that the most significant achievement in the first 100 days was signing a cooperation agreement with EUROPOL. Nesic said: “In June, we are opening an office in the (B&H) Ministry of Security. After that, we will open an office in The Hague, i.e. EUROPOL Headquarters. This shows that we have done something the previous B&H CoM convocations were unable to do.” The reporter comments that initial optimism and drive have failed on issues of state property and the Southern and Eastern interconnections, with everyone having own interests blockades and blackmails were present in the first 100 days. The reporter goes on to say that consensus is still necessary, however it is uncertain if it will be reached on these issues.  B&H Minister of Transport and Communications Edin Forto said that the B&H CoM could work faster and better, “but we have worked and I think that relations are good and we have done a good job. I sincerely hope that due to individual projects we will not stop what citizens need primarily, i.e. that the B&H CoM does its job”. BHT1 reports that in one part of his report for the United Nations Security Council (UN SC), HR Schmidt commended the work of the B&H CoM, but also noted that the B&H CoM adopted a number of technical decisions. “The new B&H Council has continued the practice of not proposing laws unless a full political consensus is secured that would enable fast adoption of laws in the B&H Parliament. Therefore, legislative performance of new government is still modest”, reads the report by HR Schmidt. According to DF, this indicates that the goal of the B&H CoM new convocation is to assume office, there is no program coalition at the state level, and evidence of that is no legal solutions in procedure. Delegate in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Dzenan Djonlagic (DF) said: “What we have seen so far showed that the announced change can be for the worse. We actually did not have any new legal solution or a new item on the agenda related to the B&H CoM new convocation’’. Asked how he would assess the B&H CoM’s work in the first 100 days on the one-to-five scale, Djonlagic said: “One, they have failed”. The reporter notes whether the B&H CoM will improve its efficacy, that will be clearer after its next session, and concluded by saying that as Konakovic announced, the B&H CoM will discuss the Southern and Eastern interconnections and the Law on High and Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

 

Komsic says he will not vote in favor of Eastern and Southern Interconnections unless the state law on gas is adopted before that; Konakovic comments on Komsic’s statement (Nova BH)

 

Commenting on the recent meeting of Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik and B&H Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic regarding the Southern and Eastern Interconnections and their statements with regard to this issue, B&H Presidency member Zeljko Komsic said that Konakovic and Dodik are making “hollow promises”. He added that the key ‘green light’ for these projects is given by the B&H Presidency. “They can say whatever they want, when it comes to international agreements, all ends up in the Presidency. I have my opinion on the situation in the Presidency. Anything goes, give us the state law on gas and let us define all things in a legal manner”, Komsic was quoted as saying. In his response, Konakovic said he completely supports Komsic’s initiative. “And I hope he will come forward with the text of the law on gas these days, that he will secure us the parliamentary majority, and that we will adopt this in the parliaments”, Konakovic said during the press conference. Konakovic added that when Komsic does all this, he will go publicly to congratulate him, to says Komsic is a genius and someone that is leading B&H in the right direction. Komsic responded that it is not an issue, and if the current state ministers are unable to write the mentioned law, Komsic is more than willing to do this. When it comes to the matter of parliamentary majority, Komsic said that the ruling authorities probably have the parliamentary majority that voted for their appointment. Komsic also claims that through the Southern Interconnection, gas will illegally be placed in the hands of a company controlled by HDZ B&H. He says domestic company ‘B&H-Gas’ would then completely be bypassed in the supply chain. Konakovic does not see this in that manner. He explains that if they agree a new company will be formed in Mostar, then the new company will bear part of the responsibility. He says there is also a possibility of ‘B&H-Gas’ taking things over and having a branch office in Mostar. The B&H FM said that Bosniak could be at the helm of that Mostar branch office, Croat could lead ‘B&H-Gas’, or a Bosniak could be appointed to the helm of a company in the RS. Anything is possible, and let us open that possibility, Konakovic stated. “Let us open that ‘famous’ ethnic box. I am witnessing that all that was done before me was done in one-thirds (manner). I do not want that”, Konakovic emphasized. The next B&H CoM session is scheduled for Thursday and projects of gas pipelines with Serbia and Croatia will probably be discussed.

 

Becirovic’s Cabinet: Single state law on gas is best framework for implementation of projects in that sector (Hayat)

 

The Cabinet of the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Denis Becirovic issued a statement on Monday, stating that the single state law on gas is the best framework for implementation of projects in that sector. "The projects of gas interconnections, New Eastern and Southern Interconnections, which have been proposed as items on the agenda of the upcoming session of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H, are an integral part of the constitutional competences of the state of B&H in the field of energy and one of the most important elements for the energy security and stability of our country's supply", reads the statement. Becirovic recalls that at the 3rd regular session the conclusion of the B&H Presidency was also adopted, instructing the CoM to submit the Law on Gas of B&H to the Parliament of B&H for consideration and adoption within 60 days at the latest from the date of adoption of these conclusions. “Considering that the CoM did not submit the draft law on gas of B&H by the set deadline, and even today, nor did it respond to the urgency of Becirovic’s Cabinet, from May 5, 2023, it is evident that the CoM did not fulfil its obligations in this matter”, concludes the statement. Becirovic’s Advisor Mirza Krso said that, by adopting a law on natural gas, B&H would fulfil its obligations toward the Energy Community. “Having in mind that B&H CoM failed to deliver a draft law on natural gas of B&H by the set deadline nor it replied to a letter of Becirovic’s Cabinet, it became obvious as of 5 May that B&H CoM failed to fulfil its obligations related to this matter”, Krso noted.

 

UN SC’s session including HR Schmidt’s report expected to take place on 10 May; Comments on HR’s report (Hayat)

 

The session of the UN Security Council (UN SC), where the High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt’s report on the situation in B&H is expected to be discussed, is supposed to take place on May 10. According to the text that media have been reporting on, Schmidt harshly criticized RS President Milorad Dodik and the policy of intimidation of the people with secession, as well as Head of the Islamic Community in B&H (IZ B&H) Husein Kavazovic, whose rhetoric he calls the rhetoric of division. Schmidt assessed the speech of the IZ B&H Head Kavazovic on the defence of institutions of B&H even with weapons if necessary and that of Dabar-Bosnia Metropolitan Hrizostom Jevic on “Muslims and Mohammedans” as "aggressive rhetoric". Commenting on Schmidt’s report, Tuzla Mufti Vahid Fazlovic told Hayat that IZ B&H fully stands behind the statement of Kavazovic and explained: “Including the statement of the Head of IZ B&H in the last report of the High Representative addressed to the UN SC, as reported by the media and with the meaning given to that statement came as a great surprise to our public. In fact, the total action of the IZ B&H Head is well known to our public, and it cannot possibly reflect such a conclusion. In addition, the statement itself as stated in this report does not fully correspond to the statement. The core message of the Reis in his call is that it is necessary to preserve the institutions of the state, to develop the institutions of the state, and this can only be objectively read as an important message of the Reis, who himself gave his review of this part of the report, he did it precisely and clearly, and we fully stand behind his statement.” Former Head of Islamic Community Mustafa Ceric recently criticized the report of HR Schmidt for the UN Security Council because of the criticism against current Head of Islamic Community Kavazovic. Namely, Kavazovic recently stated that Bosniaks must be prepared to defend the country and its institutions even with weapons if necessary. Schmidt’s report describes this statement as “aggressive rhetoric which raises tensions”. Ceric stated that unless Schmidt withdraws the accusations against Kavazovic, he will return the German awards he received as a sign of protest. Ceric is recipient of the ‘Theodor Heuss Award’ and the ‘Eugen Biser Award’. Following Ceric’s announcement and criticism of Schmidt’s report, he received an invitation from the OHR to meet with Schmidt. Ceric told the daily that he will accept the invitation but clarified that a date for the meeting has not been set yet. He reiterated that he expects Schmidt to change the section of his report mentioning Kavazovic before presenting it to the UN Security Council.

 

PM Niksic and FB&H government must figure out SDA’s ‘black funds’ and remove managers of public companies controlled by SDA (Dnevni list)

 

Dnevni list daily reads that the general managers of public companies, ‘black funds’, crime and corruption are connected to each other and that, judging by number of investigations and court processes, large number of them are connected to SDA.  SDP leader and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Prime Minister Nermin Niksic said that he was offered more than BAM one million in exchange for breaking the new coalition apart. According to the daily, one also has to remind that the US investigators have acquired solid evidence that SDA has ‘black funds’, which were filled by means of racketeering by former OSA Director (Osman Mehmedagic). Article further reads that the action must start somewhere, namely from general managers at public companies, who were installed by SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic several years ago. In this context daily notes that PM Niksic called on managements of public companies to put their mandates at disposal of the FB&H Government, whilst on the other hand, Izetbegovic is accusing Niksic and the FB&H Government of politicizing the work of public companies, telling ‘his’ people to rebel and not offer resignations. The daily stresses that Izetbegovic does not care about general managers of public companies, and that he is only concerned about his wife Sebija, who is still the Director General of the Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo. In this context daily reads that the SDA leader is clear that ‘The Troika’ is going to remove his wife, which prompted the daily to say that Niksic and his government simply have no choice and must deliver on the promise that gave it the good election result.

 

Ibrahimovic: BS to attend Milatovic’s inauguration, OB doesn’t have our support (Portal Analitika)

 

“We are preparing for the elections on 11 June and we believe that they will be held at that time. The dominant position of our membership is to act independently, and in the coming period we will have sessions of our party bodies, and I believe they will confirm such a decision”, says the leader of the Bosniak Party (BS) and Minister of Capital Investments, Ervin Ibrahimovic, in an interview for portal Analitika. Speaking about the post-election cooperation and who they see as a partner, Ibrahimovic says that their current focus is on the elections, where, as he says, they want to confirm that they are a serious political entity. “After that, we are ready to talk about cooperation. I have said on several occasions that we need a pro-European government, and in that sense, parties that share such values can, of course, count on cooperation with the BS. I think the most important thing is that after the elections we get a stable government, which will start on the path of reconciliation”, adds Ibrahimovic. The newly elected President Jakov Milatovic takes office on 20 May and will be inaugurated in the Parliament of Montenegro, instead of in Cetinje. Ibrahimovic says that representatives of the BS will attend the event. Speaking about joining the Open Balkans initiative, for which, in addition to the outgoing prime minister, the newly elected president of the country is also advocating, Ibrahimovic says that BS strongly advocates that the Berlin Process be a guide on the way to EU membership. “Montenegro has made significant results, there is still work ahead of us, and therefore I think it is unnecessary to lose focus by approaching some new initiatives that do not have a clear normative framework nor do we have clear indicators that it is good for us. The EU has no alternative, more than 80% of citizens want our country to be a full member”, Ibrahimovic points out. Commenting on numerous events and statements that took place in the previous period, among which there are examples of hate speech addressed by certain officials, Ibrahimovic says that they have influenced the increased degree of ethnic distance.

 

Lajcak: I expect that Montenegro deals less with itself and more with the European agenda (CdM)

 

I expect that Montenegro deals less with itself and more with the European agenda. Montenegro is still a leader, although the speed of European reform has slowed down significantly. But it is good that the functionality of the Constitutional Court has been restored, said Miroslav Lajcak, EU High Representative for the Western Balkans. Extraordinary parliamentary elections await Montenegro in June. "I expect the new president and the government to fully commit to European integration, which is what the majority of residents want. "Montenegro has been a factor of stability in the Balkans for many years, so I expect it to continue to play that role," said Lajcak. Zoran Miljanic, minister without portfolio in the technical government of Montenegro, said at the forum in Delphi that "it would be optimal for Montenegro to become a member in the next four years." Lajcak, however, says that it is "ungrateful to talk" about the dates of the next EU enlargement. "But what I would like to see is that our partners in the Western Balkans start participating more in the EU's partnership programs. To be in the same room. Not only when we discuss the Western Balkans, but also to be part of the discussion on other topics, to see that we are serious about them", said Lajcak.

 

Kovacevski meets Blinken: North Macedonia values US as close, reliable partner on path to EU membership (MIA)

 

The United States sees a staunch friend in North Macedonia, which is a highly valued ally in NATO at a time when that really means a lot, and we are grateful for the solidarity, the leadership in terms of Ukraine, for the help provided in defending it from Russian aggression, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said late Monday. Blinken held a meeting with North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski at the Thomas Jefferson Room in Washington, D.C. The Secretary expressed his gratitude for North Macedonia’s strong partnership and valued allyship within NATO, especially in the face of Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine. Secretary Blinken commended North Macedonia’s leadership and contributions to promoting peace and stability in the Western Balkans region, as well as its current chairmanship of the OSCE. The Secretary reiterated the US’ strong support for North Macedonia’s path towards EU accession and praised Kovachevski’s leadership in that endeavor. The discussion also focused on important areas of cooperation, including advancing energy security in the region and combating misinformation and disinformation. In his remarks, Kovachevski expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the multifaceted and value-based relationship between North Macedonia and the US. He emphasized that their strategic partnership has yielded significant results, enabling North Macedonia to make brave decisions that led to its NATO membership and the opening of accession negotiations with the EU. The Prime Minister emphasized their shared values and commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Kovachevski commended the US as a close and reliable friend, a NATO ally, and a key partner on North Macedonia’s path towards EU membership and regional stability. He expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. during the challenging year of 2022, particularly in overcoming energy and food crises and securing necessary financing for the citizens of North Macedonia. The meeting between Secretary Blinken and Kovachevski underscores the strength of the bilateral relationship between the US and North Macedonia. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and advancing shared goals, including the Euro-Atlantic integration of North Macedonia and regional stability in the Western Balkans. The discussion serves as a testament to the strategic partnership and mutual support between the two nations.

 

Kovachevski at Atlantic Council: North Macedonia belongs to EU, integration key for better regional competitiveness and economic recovery (MIA)

 

As part of his working visit to Washington, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met on Monday with the Atlantic Council’s board members. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani also attended the meeting. During the meeting, several topics such as the progress of North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations, efforts to tackle the energy crisis, the fight against corruption, as well as the country’s OSCE Chairmanship priorities were discussed, the government said in a press release. "They also shared opinions that implementation of reforms, the rule of law, which accelerates European integration, are key for North Macedonia and the countries of the Western Balkans. It will contribute to the economic recovery, as well as to the long-term improvement of the competitiveness of the country and the region, which will enhance their attractiveness to foreign investors," reads the press release.

 

Mickoski: No constitutional changes in this parliament and under these conditions (MIA)

 

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski reiterated Monday that the constitutional changes will not be adopted in the incumbent Parliament and under the current conditions. Mickoski told reporters the matter was closed for him. "As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed. I have stated my position, the position of VMRO-DPMNE and the coalition on many occasions. In this Parliament, under these conditions, under a Bulgarian dictate, there will be no constitutional changes," said Mickoski.

 

Government plans to send the terrorists who attacked Kumanovo in 2015 to serve their sentences in Kosovo – where they’ll be welcomed as heroes (Republika/RFE)

 

Newly appointed Justice Minister Krenar Loga is announcing the possibility that the group of Albanian terrorists who attacked the city of Kumanovo in 2015 are sent to serve their sentences in Kosovo. The group is imprisoned after they killed eight Macedonian special forces members in the two days long battle on the outskirts of Kumanovo, which happened at the height of the Colored Revolution. Macedonian police killed 10 members of the well-armed terrorist gang that came to Kumanovo from near-by Kosovo, and arrested the remaining 29 members, who were all given long prison terms and are considered a serious security risk. In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Loga said that he is negotiating sending 13 of the group members to Kosovo, where they would likely be welcomed as heroes and not treated as dangerous prisoners. Kosovo organized heroic funerals for the 10 killed terrorists. Ethnic Albanian parties in Macedonia are supportive of “re-examining” the case, with the goal of releasing the terrorists.

 

Begaj hosts a delegation from the Council of American Ambassadors (Radio Tirana)

 

The President of the Republic Bajram Begaj received a delegation of the Council of American Ambassadors, headed by the President of this Council, Ambassador Timothy A. Chorba. This representation of former senior American diplomats is visiting Albania as part of a regional, fact-gathering tour for three countries of the Western Balkans, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. After appreciating the excellent relations and strategic partnership with the United States of America, as well as expressing gratitude for what they have done for the independence of Albania and Kosovo, President Begaj introduced the former American diplomats to the reforms and steps taken for consolidation of democratic institutions and the rule of law. In particular, President Begaj focused on Albania's contribution to peace, stability and the building of the spirit of good neighborliness in the region, also underlining the support that Albania gives to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as the only alternative for achieving a internationally binding agreements, centred on their mutual recognition. Meanwhile, regarding the European integration process, President Begaj underlined that, after NATO membership, membership in the European Union remains the biggest strategic priority of Albania and Albanians. Referring to the new geopolitical conditions, after the Russian aggression in Ukraine, President Begaj underlined the new approach of the European Union to the Western Balkans region, as well as informed the attendees of the opening of accession negotiations by Albania and North Macedonia. Special attention was paid to developments in Ukraine, as well as the role of Albania's contribution to the United Nations Security Council, in condemning Russian aggression and in defense of the principles of the UN Charter and world order. President Begaj also welcomed the cooperation of the Council of American Ambassadors with its partner in Albania, the Council of Albanian Ambassadors, headed by the President of this council, Besnik Mustafaj.

 

Collaku with the Council of US Ambassadors guarantees the strategic partnership between Democratic Party and the US (Radio Tirana)

 

The MP of the Democratic Party, Kreshnik Collaku together with Merita Bakiu held a meeting as representatives of the Democratic Party with the Council of US Ambassadors.

Collaku said in a post on social networks that "with friends from the US we discussed openly and extensively about the internal political situation, the local elections of May 14, and the situation in the region with a special focus on Kosovo". Collaku said to have emphasized during the meeting to the US friends that the fight against corruption is vital for Albania and the entire Balkans and also that the Democratic Party considers the partnership with the US to be of irreplaceable strategic importance, while guaranteeing that this strategic partnership between the Democratic Party and the US will remain inviolable.