LOCAL PRESS

 

Brnabic: ODIHR report makes an end to all lies; We continue to implement recommendations (RTS)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke on the occasion of the report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which analyzes the conditions of the elections held on 17 December. Brnabic said, regarding the report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, that she had to speak before its official publication due to a series of misinformation that has been circulating for months. “I had to do it because yesterday some media exclusively started quoting parts of the report, which has never happened before. This is a serious disrespect towards the ODIHR. By doing so, they continued the false narrative that has been carried out for months in relation to what I believe will be in the final report,” she said. Brnabic stressed that after several months of what she said was a crisis created by spreading thousands and thousands of lies through certain media and networks. “We have finally received a report that puts an end to all the lies about the elections,” she said. As the most important conclusion, Brnabic said that cooperation with ODIHR continues and the implementation of all the recommendations established in 2019, since the working body for cooperation with ODIHR has been in place. Brnabic said that the Serbian government strongly condemns those who used this report to attack their country. “Everyone who reads the report will be able to see that there is nothing related to what some have called the theft of the election,” said Brnabic. “In the ODIHR report, we now have 25 recommendations, which is less than in the 2022 elections, which means that we have worked and that the situation is much better, that it is clear that the elections in Serbia were fair, honest and transparent,” noted Brnabic. “Serbia has implemented a total of 13 recommendations, mostly eight, and partially 33. In the previous seven years, we have implemented a total of 54 ODIHR recommendations,” said Brnabic, rejecting claims that our country has not implemented a single ODIHR recommendation. According to her, 13 out of 26 recommendations were also implemented by the government in a limited mandate. She said that the Republican Electoral Commission (RIK) received the most positive evaluation for its work. “It is stated that the RIK effectively carried out all pre-election activities, published regular press conferences and updated the election results on its website 24 hours a day. This is the same RIK in front of which they protested and which they wanted to break into to deal with the members of the RIK. That institution received all the praise in this report,” she stressed. As for the relocation of voters, as she said, that was one of the opposition’s arguments that the elections were stolen. “The ODIHR report states that this existed as a problem, that during the day claims were spread about a potentially large number of voters who were brought to vote for the ruling party,” she said. According to her, there is no proof that these claims are true, but it is only stressed that they were spread. “You can’t have proof when it didn’t happen,” says Brnabic. As she stated, there is a complaint that there were deceased persons in the voter list, but again it is stated that many claim this, but there is no evidence.

 

Belgrade fully committed to solving problems through dialogue; Solution at political level (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic stated in Brussels yesterday, after a new round of dialogue with Pristina, that the Belgrade delegation has shown full commitment to solving problems and that it is necessary to find a solution for payment transactions in Dinars in Kosovo and Metohija. Following the meeting, Petkovic told the press that during the talks with Miroslav Lajcak, it was agreed that the decision of so-called central bank of Kosovo (CBK) implies a solution at the political level, which is why he is personally present in Brussels, unlike Pristina's chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi. He pointed out that Belgrade will do everything to reach a solution in Brussels, adding that our delegation insisted that the disputed provisions be removed, and that the Postanska stedionica bank must remain in Kosovo and Metohija. This is not only about the people, but about Serbian institutions too, because if they do not have conditions to cover financial costs, their survival is questionable, Petkovic said. He said that all pressing issues were raised at the meeting and that the problems of Serbs were highlighted, underlining that Belgrade persists in finding a solution and making it possible for Serbs to receive their salaries, pensions and social benefits. Petkovic said that he expects the talks to continue and that Belgrade will accept Lajcak's invitation, as it is of crucial importance to resolve this issue.

 

Lajcak: Many political questions remain unanswered (Tanjug)

 

The EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said on Tuesday, after a series of Brussels meetings following a decision by the so-called central bank of Kosovo to ban the Serbian dinar, that many political questions remained unanswered. "I welcome the commitment of the Parties to finding a sustainable solution for the communities affected by the recent CBK regulation. Today’s Dialogue meeting was an important first step, but many political questions remain unanswered. Additional meetings will be needed," Lajcak wrote in a post on his official account on the social media network X.

 

Drecun: West doesn’t criticize Kurti’s decision on ban of Dinar, but only manner of implementation (RTS)

 

The Pristina side factually boycotted the talks in Brussels about the suspension of the Dinar in Kosovo and Metohija by sending a technical delegation, Milovan Drecun, until recently the chair of the Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, told RTS. “Pristina boycotted yesterday’s meeting and showed that it does not want to talk on a political level. They believe that they should talk about it on an internal level,” said Drecun, commenting on yesterday’s meeting. He noted that Pristina sent a technical delegation and requested that the Pristina Central Bank negotiate with the National Bank of Serbia, which would then mean de facto interstate talks. He added, however, that the incredible sluggishness of the Brussels administration could also be observed, and that after the meeting, Lajcak said that several meetings are needed for problems that require an urgent solution. Drecun said that after the events in Banjska, the West supports all of Kurti’s one-way measures. “American officials said that Pristina has the right to make decisions, they do not dispute Pristina’s decisions, but only the manner of implementation. No one from the West warned Pristina to cancel the decision, to look for a solution, but only said that it should have been prepared for the Serb population for that decision,” says Drecun. He noted that Kurti will not give up his decisions and noted that after the decision to abolish the Dinar in Kosovo and Metohija, he went to Great Britain and Germany. “After Banjska, the West tolerates Kurti’s decisions. The West expects Belgrade to do something, they do not provide support, they pressure Belgrade to accept the French-German plan through pressure on the Serb people,” says Drecun. Banjska is used as strong pressure, he stressed and reminded that Escobar told Kurti that the problem with the Dinar could have been solved through the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), to which Kurti replied that it was necessary to have recognition, and then they would talk about ZSO. When asked why queues form in front of the Post Office in Kosovo and Metohija when there are no Dinars, Drecun explained that when it became known about Kurti’s decision to cancel the Dinar, wages were paid in advance. He pointed out that the West does not see that this is an urgent situation to be solved and that people’s lives are at stake. President Vucic is in Tirana, at a meeting attended by European officials, including the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He noted that Ukrainian soldiers are being trained in Kosovo and Metohija, and that it would be an interesting question for Zelensky how it is possible to send soldiers to be trained there, and not recognize Kosovo.

 

Dacic: What kind of international community bombs Serbia, Iran, Afghanistan but cannot solve the question of Kurti? (Politika/Beta/Tanjug)

 

Central African Republic (CAR) President Faustin-Archange Touadera will be paying Serbia an official visit on 28 February, CAR Foreign Minister Sylvie Baipo-Temon said after a meeting with her Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic in Belgrade yesterday. She said that her country supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and that it was not aware of a document in which the CAR recognized Kosovo's independence, which was reported on by the media. Dacic said that the international community was preparing to participate in a military intervention in Ukraine, but was unable to solve the stalemate in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. He said, "I expect a clear stance on the part of the international community which does not have to be in Serbia's interest but in the interest of relaunching the dialogue." "What kind of international community bombs Serbia, Iran, Afghanistan and is getting ready to participate in a military intervention in Ukraine but cannot solve the question of Kurti?," Dacic wondered. "I would like to say I am very pleased with her visit here, which is not her bilateral visit, but one that is a part of a presidential visit, which is a historic thing for Serbia. The President of the CAR has accepted an invitation from President Aleksandar Vucic to visit Belgrade and Serbia and, practically, he will come for a visit tomorrow, and it will last for two or three days," Dacic said at a press conference with Baipo-Temon. He said renewing friendships with traditional friends in Africa was important and that Serbia and the CAR would next year mark the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. He said that Serbia had not devoted sufficient attention to traditional friends after the 1990s and that many of its embassies - including in the CAR - had been shut down. "They had no contact with Serbia, they were unfamiliar with the details of the breakup of Yugoslavia, national problems, the position of the Serbs, the Kosovo issue," Dacic said, adding that, on the other hand, Pristina had sent its representatives everywhere. Dacic noted that the so-called Kosovo claimed it had been recognised by the CAR in 2011. "I visited the CAR in March 2018 and I spoke with the President. We were interested in the CAR's position on the Kosovo issue... ...He (the president) told me they had no papers about that (a recognition of the so-called Kosovo). That is why, to avoid a debate on whether it recognised it or not, the CAR adopted in July 2019 a note recognising the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia," he said. Dacic noted that the CAR was interested in cooperation in several sectors including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, defence and security. He also said Serbian UN peacekeepers - one military and one medical contingent - were deployed to the CAR. Baipo-Temon said the meeting with Dacic had addressed topics of mutual interest and noted that her country had a long history of friendship with Serbia that was also marked by friendship between former heads of state. She said the CAR stood by the principle of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia because it, too, faced the same problems.

 

Milivojevic: Pristina's actions in Kosovo threaten to lead to exodus of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)

 

Career diplomat Zoran Milivojevic thinks that the situation that has been ongoing for a long time in Kosovo and Metohija because of the actions of Pristina, and concerns the consequences of radical measures such as the banning of the Serbian Dinar, threatens to lead to an exodus of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. "They condition the practical situation before the exodus. Because what we are looking at, people being unable to live normal lives, to obtain food normally, the inability of institutions to function, those on which basic life depends. I am referring to kindergartens, schools, healthcare, which is the most important," Milivojevic told Tanjug. He does not see the result of yesterday's meeting in Brussels as a surprise and reminds of the announcements coming from Pristina before the meeting - from the prime minister of provisional institutions Albin Kurti and the main Pristina negotiator Besnik Bislimi - which made it clear that there will be no progress in the dialogue, because Pristina, Milivojevic continued, is not giving up on maximalist goals. "And I'm afraid that there will be no progress on the ground either, unless there is some serious intervention by Western power centers, who are the only ones able to stop this matter and prevent the worst possible scenario, which is in sight," said Milivojevic. According to him, it is obvious that someone needs a smokescreen to maintain the dialogue and create the impression that "some process is ongoing". He explained that there effectively is no dialogue and that this is obvious also because of yesterday's failed meeting, and a clear message that Pristina will not give up its maximalist goals and the policy it is announcing, also related to the dinar issue. Milivojevic believes that the current state of dialogue is "in a vacuum", for which Serbia is not to blame, nor does anything depend on it, instead Serbia is committed to the dialogue and will seek a solution at any cost, in order to help its people in Kosovo and Metohija. He assessed that Serbia will use all political and other mechanisms to make sure that the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija are in some way provided with basic conditions for life and added that it is extremely important that the international community takes a stand on this. "The question is whether there is political will, whether they can, and want to do it. I would say that they can, but they won't. I am under the impression that there is no political will to decisively influence the Pristina side. There are mechanisms, there are ways and it is possible to exert influence in this particular case, to prevent this matter. They can do that now, for the simple reason that the use of the Euro as the currency of the EU is illegal in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija," said Milivojevic. He pointed out that the current situation deepens the escalation and assessed that a productive solution is to return to the dialogue - to again start talking about the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO).

Milivojevic also said that the situation would be different if the Serbs had the ZSO, but he believes that the ZSO does not fit in Pristina's strategic goals and that Kurti would not be able to behave like this if he did not have some sort of backing for it.

 

ODIHR report on Serbian 17 December elections – campaign dominated by Vucic (N1)

 

The ODIHR Report on the Serbian 17 December 2023 elections reads that necessary legislative amendments should be initiated well in advance of the next elections through an inclusive consultative process built upon a broad political consensus. It says that observers noted frequent overcrowding and procedural inconsistencies on election day, underscoring the need for adequate training. Further, some instances of serious irregularities, including vote-buying and ballot box stuffing were observed. It adds that measures for ensuring vote secrecy were insufficient, at odds with previous ODIHR recommendations. Observers also noted numerous instances of group voting, some cases of undue influence and unauthorized tracking of voters, as well as ballot photographing. “Vote count at polling stations and results tabulation at LECs were generally efficient, yet procedural safeguards were inconsistently implemented,” said ODIHR in its Report. Contributing to transparency, preliminary voting results by polling stations were promptly published online, in line with a prior ODIHR recommendation. The Report says that, after election day, the opposition alleged widespread irregularities, including pressure on voters, vote buying, as well as organized busing of voters, and launched daily demonstrations in Belgrade. “The protests were generally peaceful but violent incidents occurred on 24 December, which led to the arrests several protestors. The LECs received some 360 and the REC 36 complaints regarding the voting procedures and polling station results, mainly requesting the annulment of voting in polling stations; most of these complaints were rejected. Due to procedural irregularities, the voting was repeated at 43 polling stations on 30 December and 2 January 2024. The final electoral results were announced on 12 January, and the parliament was constituted on 6 February. The voter turnout was 58.69 per cent,” said ODIHR. “If reconstituted, the inter-agency Working Group on Co-ordination and Follow-up of the Implementation of Recommendations for the Improvement of the Electoral Process should act in full transparency, with the inclusion of relevant stakeholders, such as civil society organizations,” says the ODIHR Report on Serbian 2023 elections. It adds that, as previously recommended, to ensure consistent application of election day procedures and enhance the professional capacity of the election administration, standardized mandatory training could be considered for all Local Electoral Commission and Polling Board members and prospective members, including the extended compositions of these bodies. “To enhance the effective exercise of voting rights, the Republic Electoral Commission should develop and implement a timely, comprehensive and targeted voter education programme, including on voters’ rights, the prevention of group voting, and the importance of voting by secret ballot. Detailed voter information and education materials should be available in various accessible formats,” the ODIHR said in its recommendations. It noted that, to address concerns over the accuracy of voter lists and increase public confidence, the relevant laws, regulations, and practices should be reconsidered to enable access to voter registration data and facilitate the conduct of a meaningful audit of the Unified Voter Register with the participation of relevant stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, in line with data protection standards.

 

Election campaign dominated by Vucic

The overall subdued campaign, dominated by the incumbent president, was characterized by hardened polarization, aggressive rhetoric, personal discreditation, verbal abuse and inflammatory language. Freedoms of expression and assembly were generally respected in the campaign, and the elections offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives.

Yet, instances of pressure on public sector employees, misuse of public resources, and voter inducement schemes raised concerns about voters’ ability to make a choice free from undue pressure. These practices, in addition to some challenges in accessing public venues for the opposition, tilted the playing field, and blurred the line between state and the party, at odds with international standards and paragraph 5.4 of the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document. In the media, the diversity of views was reduced by hardened polarization and a strong influence of the government on most outlets. The ODIHR EOM received numerous reports about critical journalists subjected to verbal insults and attacks by state officials and pro-government media, to self-censorship; many ODIHR EOM interlocutors noted a culture of impunity of such actions. Despite legislative changes extending the ban on coverage by broadcasters of public officials participating in public infrastructure inauguration events, the significant and undue advantage of incumbency through extensive promotion of governmental projects by non-candidate public officials remained unaddressed. All monitored national channels covered campaign activities in line with the law, but positive coverage of the President and ruling parties dominated the programmes of most broadcasters further tilted the level playing field. The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) maintained a notably passive approach to regulating media conduct during the campaign.

 

SPN: ODIHR Report confirms election irregularities (N1)

 

The final ODIHR Report on the Serbian 17 December elections confirmed all the election irregularities that we have pointed out – starting with the election campaign conditions, the election campaign, and the election day, said the SPN. “This report gives full legitimacy to the opposition’s request for an additional investigation into the Belgrade elections and allegations of organized voter migration, fraudulent signatures endorsing the election tickets, which the ODIHR said in its report were a big problem in the electoral process. Of particular importance is the fact that two more key problems were highlighted, namely the voter list that the public has lost confidence in, and the report recommends that it be revised with the participation of the opposition and the civil sector, and the phenomenon of voter migration for voting at the local level,” said this coalition. It said that the ODIHR also included in its report evidence of the president’s domination in the election campaign and of the ruling party’s systemic advantages, national broadcasters who favored the ruling structures, polarization of society, aggressive campaigning, hate speech, verbal attacks on the opposition, non-governmental media and critics of the government, as well as election campaigning by officials, vote buying, pressure on public administration employees. The SPN said “the overall assessment of the report is clear – the elections were held in unjust, unfair and unequal conditions, with the dominance of one institution – the President of the Republic and the ruling party, with captured media, corruption through vote buying and pressure on employees and the public sector, and especially abuse of law, in order to organize voter migration for the needs of local elections. Many earlier ODIHR recommendations have been repeated, which means that minimal work has been done to improve the electoral conditions”. “Despite the government’s attempt to downplay this ODIHR report with the narrative that there was no election fraud, we believe that all the irregularities mentioned in the report showed that the elections were illegitimate and that new elections must be held in improved conditions along with the urgent implementation of all the recommendations contained in this report,” said the SPN.

 

Tepic: ODIHR final report confirms election fraud (N1)

 

Serbian opposition leader Marinika Tepic told reporters on Wednesday that the ODIHR final report on the mid-December elections confirms election fraud. Tepic, deputy leader of Serbia Against Violence (SPN) member Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), said that the report gives legitimacy to the belief that the elections for the Belgrade City Assembly have to be repeated. According to her, everything that the opposition claimed about the 17 December elections is in the report including organized voter migration, fake electoral rolls, the dominance of the president, bias in favor of the authorities in national media, buying votes and pressure on public sector employees. “Not to mention unequal media conditions,” she said. “When someone says the elections were held in unequal conditions, favoring one man, one party, in a polarized society, with hate speech, insults of political opponents and journalists, that is called not equal, not free, not democratic elections. When someone detects vote buying, corruption, bribery, money for votes – that is fraud. When someone documents the problematic electoral rolls, that means the institutions aren’t doing their job nor are prosecutors, the police and others. This report confirms everything we said and on election fraud in Serbia,” she said.

 

Lazovic: ODIHR report is just what Serbian opposition expected (N1)

 

Serbian opposition MP Radomir Lazovic told N1 that the ODIHR final report on the mid-December elections is exactly what the opposition expected. He said that the group of opposition officials who were in Brussels with him received assurances from European Union officials that the European integration process will be stopped if the Serbian authorities fail to implement changes. “This report is exactly what we expected and it is what the European Commission and other EU institutions assured us it would be,” he said speaking via video link from Paris. He added that the opposition is more than satisfied that the report reflects the latest and all previous elections. According to Lazovic, EU officials feel that the international investigation has already started since they have been informed about everything that happened. “Our authorities can refuse to implement any changes but we have received assurances that the next thing we will be discussing is European integration really stopping… The authorities will have a hard time avoiding that,” he said. The group of opposition officials is in Paris for meetings with French officials.

 

SPN refuses consultations with Vucic (N1)

 

The opposition Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s invitation for consultations on prime minister nomination and formation of new government are nothing but a farce. We have nothing to consult on with a man who has usurped power, rigged the elections and brutally altered the will of the people, said this coalition. “If this government really cared about what an election ticket that won over 900,000 votes had to say, it would not have laughed in the face of the Serbian citizens claiming, without any shame, that these were the ‘cleanest and fairest’ elections, but would have annulled the rigged elections by now and worked to improve the electoral conditions so that the citizens of Serbia could really choose a legitimate government in fair and democratic elections. We believe that we should wait for an independent European mission that will give a final judgment on the held elections, as well as that the formation of a government based on election fraud would only further deepen the crisis we are in,” said the SPN in a press release.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Mostar: Leaders of B&H ruling coalition fail to agree on three reform laws on EU path (BHT1)

 

Leaders of political parties within the state-level ruling coalition, ‘The Troika’, HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and SNSD, met in Mostar on Tuesday in an effort to come to an agreement regarding reform laws that are precondition for B&H to open accession negotiations with the EU in March, i.e. the B&H Election Law, the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest and the Law on Courts in B&H, however they failed to reach an agreement on any of the laws. Addressing the press conference after the meeting, HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic said that there was no agreement on the aforementioned laws, however, the commissions “reached around 70, 80 or 90 per cent’’ agreement and “following a long discussion the conclusion is that the commissions should continue their work and if some of the commissions reaches agreement “those laws should be referred to the procedure which means the (B&H) Council of Ministers and the B&H Parliamentary Assembly’’. SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic said: “Today, we maintained our positions, but we remained open to do everything we can regarding any of these laws. It seems to me that the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest is the closest to finalization (…) As for the Law on Courts and the Election Law, the positions remain rather ‘nailed’ in the disputable issues, although when it comes to the Election Law, a significant progress has been made in other areas’’. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said there are efforts to come to an agreement “so that on 21, the European Council is given a chance to give us negotiations. All three of us underscore, I believe, that without a date for the negotiations this means nothing. We would feel bypassed and deceived if there is no exact date for B&H and that is a part of what we agreed. We believe that we can resolve several more issues within next seven to ten days’’. Dodik also said that in case “the illegal one (refers to High Representative Christian Schmidt) tries to do anything, he will destroy B&H’s European path. If by any chance he moves toward imposing laws – I am not threatening, I am only saying what we will do – if he imposes anything that refers to Republika Srpska (RS) in any area, the RS will leave the process in a way that it will adopt its law on elections and implement elections its way’’. The reporter reminds that working groups formed by the state-level ruling coalition partners are working on a set of laws requested by the EU to be adopted in order to open accession negotiations; the laws should be adopted by the B&H CoM and the B&H parliament before the report by the European Commission (EC), and goes on to say that the coalition partners announced a new B&H CoM session on 4 March, which may be the last opportunity to show with concrete laws that they want to join the EU.

 

Niksic: We must continue with talks, we are closest to solution for Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest (Dnevni avaz)

 

Following the meeting of the state-level ruling coalition held in Mostar on Tuesday, SDP leader Nermin Niksic made a statement for Dnevni avaz. He underlined that he personally is not satisfied with the results of the Tuesday’s talks. “I must say that somewhere in the bottom of my soul, I feel sorry for the patriots on duty, whom we denied the opportunity to continue shedding crocodile tears over the fate of the country and accuse us of treason. I have no doubt that they will quickly regroup and invent some new danger, some new betrayal, and that they will stop at any cost. If the policy of quarrels, conflicts and divisions were good, B&H would have become a member of the EU long ago. That is why, while there is even the smallest chance, we remain determined to talk and seek a compromise. We work in an atmosphere where everyone presents their views and arguments, so even when we disagree, that does not mean we are going to fight. The decision is simple, if we want to open negotiations with the EU, we must cooperate and agree, between ourselves and with the EU administration. Yes, for now, in my understanding, it is going slowly, but it is still going”, said Niksic. He added that the coalition partners are the closest to an agreement on the Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest. “We have to engage in additional efforts to agree and adopt it. When it comes to the Law on Courts, we believe that we have made a compromise by agreeing to replace the court with an appellate panel, and that its seat will be in Istocno Sarajevo. We are not ready to accept that the seat of the court should be in Banja Luka”, said Niksic. He pointed out that "unlike our partners from HDZ B&H, we believe that only partial amendments to the Election Law can be adopted". “Of course, I accept that they think differently, as we expect their appreciation that we are not ready to change the Election Law without changes to the Constitution that would guarantee the implementation of the decisions of the Court in Strasbourg. In the end, it is important that we continue to try to find a solution, and we will see if we will succeed in that”, concluded Niksic.

 

Dodik meets Mandic, they discuss 'Buk Bijela' and Bileca Lake projects, agreement on special relations between RS and Montenegro (ATV)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik met with Montenegrin parliament speaker Andrija Mandic, as part of his working visit to Podgorica on Tuesday. The two officials discussed economy, important energy and infrastructural projects, among other topics. Dodik proposed that Montenegro joins a mega project of construction of the 'Buk Bijela' hydropower plant and said that it should stop blocking this project. He stressed that Montenegro has been disputing the issue of Bileca Lake and that it was agreed that a meeting on this issue will be held in Trebinje, at which the RS and Montenegrin ministers of energy of and the electricity companies’ managements will participate. At the end of the meeting, Dodik proposed that Montenegrin institutions sign with the RS an agreement on special relations modeled on the similar agreement the RS has signed with Serbia, explaining that the RS has the right to such an agreement in line with the Dayton Peace Accords. He reminded that the international factor that had far more decisive role in the past in B&H approved the signing of the agreement on special and parallel relations with Serbia, adding that there is no reason not to sign the same agreement with Montenegro. He explained that the agreement will not bring anything negative for B&H, but it will bring good cooperation in the field of economy, infrastructure, education, culture, sports and science. According to Dodik, the RS is not disruptive factor, and it only wants peace, stability and prosperity for Montenegro. Mandic stated that those who dispute Serbs’ rights in B&H actually undermine B&H as a country of the three constituent peoples – not only one people as many try to present in public discourse. He stressed that Montenegro “respects B&H as a country and the RS that created B&H together with Federation of B&H (FB&H).” He assessed that the project of construction of the Scepan Polje-Foca road is very important for Montenegro as a whole. During a joint press conference with Mandic, Dodik said he wishes all the best for all the peoples, but his obligation and task is to fight for equal status of Serbs, their policies and rights, no matter where they live. Dodik was asked to comment on new authorities in Montenegro, but he refused to do this, saying democratically elected officials, which is the will of majority of citizens, should not be commented on. He hopes the RS will be able to find common ground and cooperate with the new Montenegrin authorities. Mandic emphasized the importance of maintaining good relations with neighbors. He said it is important to think about your own needs and wishes, but to also think about others, and how you can help your neighbors progress. He expressed deep honor for being the host of Tuesday’s meeting with Dodik. He pointed out that Dodik is also his personal friend and called Dodik “leader of Serbs in the RS and B&H.” Dodik and Mandic agreed that the Dayton Agreement must be respected and that B&H's path towards the EU must not be at the expense of the interests of the RS and the Serb people. Messages of peace, cooperation, stability and development were sent from this meeting. They reiterated that they are in favor of the EU path, but that on that path the interests of the RS and the Serb people must be respected. Dodik told a press conference that it is not acceptable for the EU path of B&H to promote unitarization and centralization of this country. Promoting and respecting the Dayton Agreement means respecting the RS and B&H, says Mandic. This guarantees the stability of the Western Balkans, he adds. Dodik commented on current authorities in Montenegro. Dodik says that he respects the democratically elected officials of Montenegro and that he is in favor of cooperating with them. He has nothing against a meeting with President and Prime Minister of this country, Jakov Milatovic and Milojko Spajic, if they want that. As part of his visit, Dodik also visited the Orthodox Temple of Christ's Resurrection. He visited the grave of Metropolitan Bishop of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije. The parish priest of Podgorica, Predrag Scepanovic, and deacon Vedran Grmusa, who is originally from Banja Luka, thanked Dodik for his help in building this temple.

 

Russian Embassy: Anti-Russian statements demonstrate misunderstanding (RTRS)

 

The Russian Embassy to B&H issued a statement, posted on their Facebook, reading that a series of anti- Russian statements, made by representatives of political Sarajevo, on the occasion of “two years since the beginning of a special military operation in Ukraine, demonstrate complete lack of understanding of goals and tasks of this operation against neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv”. “Most notably, representatives of political Sarajevo demonstrate complete lack of understanding of goals and tasks of SMO, which President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials spoke about on several occasions, calling on the irrefutable facts about neo-Nazi essence of the regime in Kyiv. However, at the same time the question is posed: whether statements of certain politicians in B&H reflect true opinion of the people in the country? According to the recent poll, carried out by Center for Security Studies, only 39% want B&H to support Ukraine, while 38% deem that neutrality is necessary, while 14% supports Russia. In other words, more than half of polled support Russia in general. This, taking in consideration that 55% declared as Bosniaks, 10% as Serbs, 9% as Croats and 12% as Others. Also, Russia is mentioned among the countries which are considered the friendliest toward B&H. It turns out that anti-Russian position of odious political individuals is in fact anti-people. This is exactly how we are treating this- as a biased personal opinion, pompously stated to appeal to Western mentors,” reads the Embassy’s statement.

 

Grlic Radman and Tajani: The stability of Southeast Europe is important (HRT)

 

The sixth session of the coordination committee of the ministers of the Croatian and Italian governments was held in Zagreb. Foreign Ministers Gordan Grlic Radman and Antonio Tajani signed a joint statement and announced the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The dedication to the protection of the rights of national minorities, Croatian and Italian, in both countries was emphasized. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also received Tajani at the government building. Grlic Radman and Tajani agree on the importance of the stability of Southeast Europe. “The stability of Southeast Europe is in the interest of Croatia and Italy,” Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in Zagreb. “Our common neighborhood, Southeast Europe, the Western Balkans, also requires our continuous attention and support. I want to thank Minister Tajani once again for hosting the recent meeting of the group of friends of the Western Balkans and the ministers of the Western Balkan countries in Rome,” Grlic Radman said at a press conference with Tajani after the sixth session of the coordination committee of the ministers of the governments of Croatia and Italy. “We must not neglect the Western Balkans, a safe and stable neighborhood is in our interest,” he added. The session was attended by the Ministers of Economy, Damir Habijan and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, as well as representatives of the Ministries of the Interior, the Ministries of Science and Education, the Ministries of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministries of Agriculture and the Ministries of Culture and Media of Croatia and Italy. The session was also attended by the deputy speaker of Croatian parliament and the parliamentary representative of the Italian minority Furio Radin. “We must not allow Russia and Asian countries to intervene in the Balkans. Our priority is stability,” Tajani said in his opening address at the coordination committee session. Grlic Radman singled out the joint fight against illegal migration, which directly affects both countries, from the foreign policy topics that were discussed. Tajani said at the press conference that Rome and Zagreb have very similar positions on a number of foreign policy topics from the Middle East to Ukraine, while they are very aligned on the issue of the Western Balkans. “I believe that our two nations can be considered great friends. Italy and Croatia are strongly connected. Croatia is a close friend of our country. I am in Croatia for the third time since I became the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he said. Grlic Radman especially spoke of economic cooperation, which is at a very high level, with Italy being Croatia's largest trading partner in 2022 as well as in the first 11 months of 2023. Exchange for the first 11 months of last year amounted to 7.86 billion Euros. “I believe that the second Business Forum of Croatian and Italian companies in Zagreb, which should be held this year and will focus primarily on topics in the field of clean technologies and digitalization, will further improve and expand our cooperation,” Grlic Radman said. “National minorities,” Grlic Radman said, “represent an important component of bilateral relations between the two countries.” He also recalled the historic Treaty on the Delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zones. Plenkovic received Antonio Tajani at the government building. Earlier on Tuesday, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with Tajani, who was recently confirmed as the leader of the Forza Italia party, which was led for many years by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who died last year. Plenkovic congratulated Tajani on his election as the leader of the party, which, like the Croatian Democratic Union, is a member of the European People's Party. He recalled that Tajani is in Croatia for the third time, and in November of last year Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was in Zagreb, with whom, he said, the conversation was very meaningful. “This very dynamic of our relations speaks of how we raised the level of our relations with this Italian government, in terms of the intensity of the political dialogue, to a higher level,” Plenkovic said. He emphasized that Croatia and Italy are neighboring and friendly countries that are historically and culturally close. Plenkovic also referred to measures on the Italian-Slovenian and Slovenian-Croatian borders introduced due to the influx of illegal migrants. He noted that these measures are casual, adding that he wants them to be of a temporary nature.

 

Plenkovic: President’s Ukraine policy is “hallucinatory” (HRT)

 

President Milanovic continues to lead a “hallucinatory” policy on Ukraine and Croatia will continue to provide militarily assistance to Kyiv, said Prime Minister and HDZ President Andrej Plenkovic at a press conference following a meeting of the HDZ Presidency on Tuesday evening in Zagreb. The PM said Croatia did not offer to send troops because a proposal to help train Ukrainian soldiers under the EU’s Military Assistance Mission was rejected by the Sabor, he said. “No one calls him, he is not relevant, and he continues to lead a hallucinatory policy that is not based on facts, so he has to portray me as a prime minister with dangerous intentions,” said Plenkovic about Milanovic’s position. “The government's position on Ukraine is one of great solidarity, condemnation of international law violations, and a commitment to support a country and a people with whom we have friendly relations,” he added. Plenkovic said no one had asked Croatia to send any troops and that it was not an option that was being considered. “Neither did anyone ask us to do that, nor would we do it,” he said. Milanovic had said that if Plenkovic could, he would lead Croatia to war in Ukraine. Plenkovic described Milanovic’s views on the war as a pro-Russian narrative that harms Croatia. When asked how we will respond if an ally asked Croatia to send soldiers to Ukraine, he said that was not an option that was being discussed by the allies.

 

Dodik considers the idea of Serbian World brilliant, he submitted proposal for agreement on special ties to Mandic; Mandic: I was honored to welcome president of RS (CdM)

 

Montenegro parliament speaker and the Leader of the New Serb Democracy Andrija Mandic says he was honored and pleased to welcome the RS President Milorad Dodik yesterday.

Dodik says that he wishes to support peace, stability and development of Montenegro. He has submitted the proposal for the agreement on special ties to Mandic, while the Montenegrin parliament speaker has announced dialogue on that matter. “We want Montenegro to create best relations with its neighbors. If you don’t have a sense for their needs, then something’s wrong with you. We had important discussions. The NSD and SNSD are sister parties. We’ve had an excellent relationship,” Mandic told reporters following the meeting with Dodik. Mandic also notes that whoever respects the Dayton Peace Accords, also respects RS, but those who respect B&H cannot do it fully, without showing respect for RS. Mandic adds that they discussed the economy, the Buk Bijela hydro power plant, as well as Lake Bileca. In addition, Mandic noted that he was ready to meet all politicians from the region in the same way he met with Dodik, while the President of RS said that he came to support peace, stability and development of Montenegro, but also its commitment to the EU membership. Dodik continued: “I wish all the best to everybody – Albanians, Bosniaks and Montenegrins. But having in mind my position, I must support Serbs wherever they are. Just like we respect the Montenegrin community in RS, and have its representatives in power, we expect Serbs to be included in that same way in Montenegro.” According to him, RS strives to preserve peace, by respecting all communities. “We consider the development of economic ties with Montenegro very important. We’re about to sign the agreement on reconstruction of the Foca-Scepan Polje road with a Chinese company. RS did that job, not B&H.” Milorad Dodik also considers that the idea of the Serbian World is brilliant. “It means Serbs can promote their constitutional rights. I call on all people of the Serbian national affiliation to devote to our national identity. It’s not against anyone.”

 

DPS Presidency decides to start initiative for Mandic’s dismissal (CdM)

 

The Presidency of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has decided to launch the initiative for dismissal of Andrija Mandic as the parliament speaker of Montenegro, the CdM portal has learned unofficially. The decision was made at last night’s session of the presidency, held at 5 pm. In mid-January, the DPS announced that they were going to start the initiative for Mandic’s dismissal, that is, as soon as they see a chance for its realization. By displaying the tricolour in his cabinet in the parliament during the meeting with Metropolitan Joanikije, Mandic, according to them, demonstrated that he had been acting in the interests of another country. On 15 January, the DPS, Social Democrats, Croatian Civic Initiative and Democratic Union of Albanians filed a criminal charge against Mandic to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office (SDT), because he acted in defiance of the law on state symbols by displaying the flag of another country in official premises.

 

Spajic-Varhelyi: EU door wide open for Montenegro, an opportunity not to be missed (CdM)

 

The door of the EU is wide open, and Montenegro is ready to take advantage of that. This is the message from the meeting between PM Milojko Spajic and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi. They assessed that already after four months of the 44th government’s term, and on the basis of the achieved results, conditions were being created for the closure of interim benchmarks, which is the goal of Montenegro, but also of the EU. Varhelyi said that Montenegro was the most advanced candidate and that the expectation of everyone in the EU was to take a step forward, to which the European Commission is strongly committed. Varhelyi stressed that in that context, the new Growth Plan was designed as a new support mechanism in preparation for membership. Spajic expressed his readiness to make additional and decisive steps towards membership in the EU. Political consensus and readiness for progress on the path of integration guarantee that the desired reforms will continue, he stressed. Spajic also pointed out that the firm support and encouragement from Brussels was an incentive to move even more strongly towards the EU. He added that the goal was to prepare legal solutions, which are a key prerequisite for progress in Chapters 23 and 24. Spajic and Varhelyi agreed that the Growth Plan was a great chance for the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the single European market.

 

All MPs of Europe Now Movement back Spajic: Unique and committed to results (CdM)

 

After an excellent start of work of the parliament and the government of Montenegro, we have been uniquely committed to achieving even better results in the future. Unblocking the EU road, as well as the institutions that had been blocked for years, the increase in minimum pensions, and great achievements at the international level are just some in a series of things that follow, the Europe Now Movement has stated. They point out that the Montenegrin people shouldn’t be in a dilemma when it comes to the certainty of the implementation of the Europe Now 2 program and political stability. “That is why there will be dozens of laws proposed by the government of Montenegro, that the parliament will be considering. In cooperation with our coalition partners and the government of Montenegro, we’re convinced that our Caucus will continue to be an important factor of the overall success of both our country and society,” they have stated.

 

Government adopts text of National Development Strategy 2024-2044 (MIA)

 

The government adopted Tuesday the text of the National Development Strategy 2024-2044 and decided to forward it to the parliament. The National Development Strategy is the most comprehensive strategic document that defines the main goals and measures for the development of Republic of North Macedonia over the next 20 years, relating to the proper implementation of projected measures that have a major impact on many processes in the country, as well as raising the quality of people's lives, the government said in a press release. This document defines the main national development goals, strategic areas and priorities for accelerated, inclusive, balanced, gender-responsive and sustainable development of North Macedonia, considering the country's aspiration to join the EU by 2030 and the commitment for sustainable development within Agenda 2030.

The Strategy defines six strategic priorities:

1. Economy based on knowledge, innovations and digitization, a highly integrated economy in international trade and international finance, and a workforce that meets the current and future labor market needs;
2. Sustainable local and regional development that ensures cohesion;
3. Demographic revitalization, and social and cultural development;
4. Rule of law and good governance;
5. Secure, safe and resilient society; and
6. Green transformation.

Development of the human capital and digitization of the society are the central elements and a basic prerequisite for progress in each strategic area. The National Development Strategy was drafted over a three-year period, involving about 14,000 citizens, more than 250 representatives of national institutions, 70 mayors, 50 MPs from the ruling and opposition parties, representatives of business chambers, civil society organizations, over 500 representatives of marginalized and vulnerable groups, as well as more than 1,000 young people and members of youth organizations. The National Development Agency was created in partnership with the UN Resident Coordinator Office and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), funded by the British Embassy to Skopje and Slovakia's Ministry of Finance, reads the press release.

 

Aggeler: Campaign discourse to focus on essential issues, not personal attacks (PRESSonline.al MIA)

 

The US Ambassador Angela Aggeler said Tuesday she hopes that the election campaign discourse will focus on essential issues and not personal attacks. She said candidates from the entire political spectrum should remember that the elections are for the citizens, as well as for the future of the country. “If I could give one recommendation to the candidates from across the political spectrum, it would be to remember that these elections, as well as all other elections, are for the citizens of this country. They are for the future that this country and its people hope for and deserve. That’s why, I hope that the campaign discourse will focus on essential issues, and not personal attacks, because I believe that people are tired from negativity,” Aggeler told PRESSonline.al. Only then, according to the Ambassador, will voters be able to choose the candidates they believe would best help them fulfill their hopes and dreams for themselves, for their children and society. Aggeler said she hopes the decisions will bring the country closer to complete integration with the European community. She also underscored the importance of government institutions establishing the necessary processes for free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections. “Voters must be informed through secure sources of information, they must recognize and dismiss all disinformation and manipulation. And, most importantly, the voters must vote. Democracy functions when we all fulfill our obligation. My expectations for the elections are the same as those of the voters, and that’s for the entire process, from the campaign period and to the establishment of the future government, to unfold in a transparent manner, ensuring free and fair elections,” underlined Aggeler.

 

Zelenskyy in Tirana, received by Hasani: A key moment! The summit, the meeting with Rama and the agreements signed (Radio Tirana)

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed on Albanian soil on Tuesday evening. In the first visit of the Ukrainian president to Tirana, at a time when his country is fighting against the Russian aggression, President Zelenskyy will participate in the Summit held this Wednesday whose focus is the fight and support for Kiev. Zelenskyy was received at Tirana International Airport ‘Mother Teresa by Albanian chief-diplomat, Igli Hasani, who considered the visit of the Ukrainian president as a key moment for the development of bilateral relations and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in its heroic fight against Russian aggression. Honored to host the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Tirana was the statement of Albanian chief-diplomat, in his reaction on the occasion. This is a key moment for the development of bilateral relations and to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in its heroic struggle against Russian aggression, Hasani added. The Ukraine - Southeast Europe Summit will be held, where President Zelenskyy is co-organizer together with Prime Minister Edi Rama. Before the start of the summit work, according to the official agenda, at 09:00, President Zelenskyy will be hosted by Rama to the Prime Minister’s Office to continue with the "one-on-one" meeting. Then at 09:30 a bilateral meeting between the two delegations will take place, and at 10:10 the agreement between Albania and Ukraine will be signed. At 11:00 the leaders of 10 European countries arrive at the Palace of Congresses and at 11:30, according to the agenda, Albanian Prime Minister, Rama and Ukrainian President, Zelenskyy will deliver the opening remarks of the "Ukraine - Southeast Europe" Session. Meanwhile, a joint conference between Prime Minister Rama and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to be held at 1:30 p.m.

 

Present in Tirana for the Summit/ Zelensky: Discussions on the common path towards the Euro-Atlantic goal (Radio Tirana)

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is in Tirana to participate in the Ukraine Summit, has reacted with a message on X (Twitter). Zelensky appreciates Prime Minister Edi Rama as "Ukraine's unwavering friend," stating that in their expected bilateral meeting, discussions will revolve around cooperation in defense and politics. Additionally, Zelensky commends Albania's stance regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine. "Today I am in Tirana. I will meet Ukraine's unwavering friend, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and participate in the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit. In our bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister and his team, we will discuss cooperation in defense and politics, support for the Peace Formula, and security agreements. Albania is one of the countries that has signed the G7 Vilnius Declaration, which we greatly appreciate," writes Zelensky. Furthermore, the President of Ukraine emphasizes that the Summit will also address the Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries. "We will discuss our common path towards the Euro-Atlantic goal at the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit, which is now being held for the second time. I will propose support for Ukraine's efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace, as well as the organization of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. I will also hold bilateral discussions with the summit participants," Zelensky concludes his message.

 

Foreign Minister Igli Hasani hosted the British MPs (Radio Tirana)

 

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani received also the delegation of British MPs, with members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group from the United Kingdom, MPs Matthew Offord and Tan Dhesi from the House of Commons, Baroness Tessa Blackstone and Baroness Jane Bonham Carter from The House of Lords, who hare in Albania at the invitation of Albanian Assembly. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs announces that Minister Hasani's discussions with British MPs focused on increasing cooperation, especially on strengthening the economic dimension, emphasizing the need to promote exchanges in education, culture, science and technology. Reconfirming mutual support as partners, the British MPs expressed gratitude to Minister Hasani for Albania's steadfast support for Ukraine and congratulated him for organizing the Ukraine-Southeast Europe Summit.

 

US Embassy: Strengthening regional cooperation in the fight against organized crime and corruption (Radio Tirana)

 

The teams of the US Embassies in Tirana and Croatia convened a meeting between SPAK of Albania and USKOK of Croatia to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against organized crime and corruption. The US Embassy in Tirana announced the meeting with SPAK and USKOK, emphasizing that "regional cooperation is essential to respond to criminals who know no borders." "The United States strongly supports specialized justice structures such as SPAK and USKOK as they investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes in the region," the US Embassy in Tirana announced. Senior representatives of the Office for the Fight against Corruption and Organized Crime of the Republic of Croatia (USKOK) were in Tirana on February 21-22, where they met with representatives from the United States Department of Justice (OPDAT) in Albania and Croatia, as well as with the head of the Special Prosecution, Altin Dumani, and Prosecutors of this Prosecution. During this meeting, the Memorandum of Understanding between SPAK-USKOK, signed on November 27, 2020, was analyzed. The discussion mainly focused on the establishment of specific contact points and processes for its implementation.