LOCAL PRESS

Cooperation, economic reforms key of European prospects of Western Balkans (Beta)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic participated at the first plenary session of the World Policy Conference (WPC), which took place in Marrakesh, Morocco. Brnabic, along with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who also participated in the panel, spoke with Thierry de Montbrial, the founder and chairman of the World Policy Conference, about the challenges that the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe are facing, as well as their common future in the EU. The prime ministers of Serbia and Albania concluded that the Western Balkan region, despite the political, economic and social challenges it faces, must focus on building good relations, stability and progress. Serbia is strongly committed to regional cooperation and economic integration, because the economy is a key driver of all integration processes and the further development of all countries in the region, Brnabic pointed out. Kosovo and the unilaterally declared independence, which Serbia does not recognize, remains a point of disagreement between Serbia and Albania. Brnabic and Rama agreed though that there are a number of topics about which there is consensus and cooperation. At the panel it was emphasized that the path of cooperation and reconciliation, which after more than six decades was initiated by Aleksandar Vucic and Edi Rama, is an example of responsible politics and positive changes. Serbia is deeply committed to this process and the deepening of cooperation and understanding with Albania. Although we do not agree on the issue of unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, we do our best not to affect the constructiveness of our relations and the dialogue we have established, Brnabic pointed out at the panel. Serbia has always firmly advocated the respect for international law and standards in international politics, as we have also always said that Pandora's Box will be opened if the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo is accepted, she stated. She added that international law is here to ensure a more stable, predictable and safer world order, and certainly a more stable and secure Europe. Brnabic stated that regardless of differences, Serbia will always first take care of the quality of life of all its citizens and their security, and that is why we are conducting an open dialogue with Pristina in order to solve the most important issues for citizens by mutual agreement between the two sides. She recalled that Serbia has opened 10 chapters in the negotiations with the EU, and that the government of Serbia will continue on the European path to responsibly implement political and economic reforms. Just as the region of the Western Balkans needs the EU, the EU also needs the region because without a stable region there is no stability in the EU either, she said, concluding that Serbia will continue to build relations that lead us all together in the future and provide better living conditions and a higher standard and quality of life to all citizens.

Brnabic: There are no more Serbs in Pristina; there are double standards (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic assessed that the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo was not in accordance with international law and standards, and that she doesn’t see why certain states approved it. She underlines that there are no more Serbs in Pristina following this, as well as that Serbian churches and monasteries are burned down. She says that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo didn’t occur during the war but when the United Nations guaranteed that it is part of Serbia and when Serbia has already been on the path of democratic changes for eight years. “Therefore, not during the rule of Slobodan Milosevic, but when the democratic prime minister was murdered, after that, so that I don’t see any logic in the fact that unilateral declaration of independence was in accordance with international law and standards or why it was approved by certain states,” Brnabic said in Marrakesh. She recalled that Serbia, which established a very difficult Brussels agreement four years ago, fulfilled almost everything prescribed by it except for the part that refers to energy, while Pristina has not fulfilled the main item of the agreement. “Pristina has not fulfilled the point that is basically the core of the Brussels agreement. The basis of the Brussels agreement is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipaltiies. Four and a half years later – still nothing,” said Brnabic. “We are obviously not satisfied, we are trying to be pragmatic, but then again, this is a complex issue and I would agree that there have been double standards and they still exist,” she said.

Drecun supports idea of international conference (Novosti)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic has proposed an international conference that would help resolve problems in Kosovo, Novostireports. The Chair of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun also supports the idea of an international conference, saying that he heard this proposal from the Russians during the 1990s: “The big powers are deeply involved in the Kosovo problem, so that nothing can be resolved without them. The Albanians don’t want to talk with the Serbs now, but the more they are in a deadlock where they can’t join international institutions, the more they will realize that not everything can be resolved with blackmail and they will have to sit at the table. The bog powers, the UN, the EU will attend this, which will make up some international conference. Serbia has been preparing for this and in this sense we can view the invitation of the President for the internal dialogue, so we can have an adequate proposal. The agreement on the final status is the only way to resolve the Kosovo problem in a lasting and peaceful manner.”

LDP: 12 stands in 12 years (Beta)

On the occasion of the 12^th anniversary of the work of the Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), its leader Cedomir Jovanovic has stated that nobody has the right to question its opposition role. He announced 12 stands on the occasion of the 12^th anniversary of the party’s work in which he assessed that Serbia’s stability is possible only within the Euro-Atlantic integration and that without joining the EU and NATO Serbia will not have the necessary stability for accelerated economic and social development. “Serbia can neither prove nor establish its sovereignty by claiming that it has it where it doesn’t have it in reality. Establishing best relations with Kosovo, as well as with all other countries in the region, is the only way for Serbia to establish and maintain the real and positive importance that it has for the region and Europe,” said Jovanovic.

He says that the path Serbia should take needs to be determined in an open and positive dialogue inside politics and the entire society, while the debate that is currently being held is an uncivilized populist quarrel. “This kind of debate will not resolve problems that Serbia has however the debate ends, on the contrary, only a new few non-functional people will replace their predecessors,” he said.

DSS: To open a debate on Serbia’s EU path (Tanjug)

The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) organized the activity dubbed “It is Time for a Public debate on EU”, and its leader MilosJovanovic calls the authorities and the opposition to finally open a public debate on Serbia’s EU path. He told journalists that an internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija has been launched where we are debating things that are absurd – whether something that is ours is ours, but we are not debating something that should represent a free choice of Serbian citizens and the Serbian nation. “Our stand on the EU is clear and rational. Cooperation is welcome, but membership will have more negative than positive consequences for Serbia,” notes Jovanovic. He thinks that Europe is presently in a serious crisis, mentioning the financial and migrant crisis, Brexit and Catalonia. “These are all things that are questioning the relationship between Serbia and the EU,” says Jovanovic.  According to him, Serbia’s path is specific and Serbia is the only state that is requested to give up its territorial integrity on the EU path. “This has not been the case until now and this is reason more to begin this debate and to put this issue on the table,” said Jovanovic.

Nigeria has never recognised Kosovo – diplomat (Tanjug)

Nigeria has never recognized Kosovo’s independence, and it stands by the position that it does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, Nigerian Charge d’Affaires in Belgrade Chijioke Mchardy Ani told Tanjug Friday. Nigeria has not changed its position on the matter, which means that it does not recognize Kosovo’s independence, he explained.

Gojkovic slates local elections in Presevo, Mionica, Negotin and Pecinci (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic has passed the decision on slating elections for municipal councilors of the municipalities of Presevo, Mionica, Negotin and Pecinci for 24 December.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik: RS authorities decided to put issue of referendum back before RS Assembly (RTRS)

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik stated that the current authorities in the RS are leading a rational policy and that is why they decided to put the issue of referendum on the Court of B&H and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H back before the RS Assembly. Namely, Dodik emphasized that the referendum cannot be held without a general consensus on this matter in the RS. Speaking about a possible referendum on independence of the RS, Dodik confirmed that politicians in the RS have been thinking about this idea but the RS institutions have not passed any official decision in this regard. According to Dodik, B&H with its two entities and three constituent peoples will be united to the extent in which the Constitution of B&H is respected. The RS President noted that foreigners have the monopoly on decision-making in B&H, adding that it will be possible to speak about B&H as a community once it becomes free from such influence. Commenting on relations between the RS and Serbia, Dodik said that Serbia has huge influence on him even though he does not share Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s views on some issues. He reiterated that the announced Declaration of the RS and Serbia is not directed against anyone. When it comes to NATO path and B&H Armed Forces (AF), Dodik stated that the resolution on RS’ military neutrality is binding for all RS’ representatives in joint institutions of B&H while he considers that B&H AF should be abolished.

Dodik’s announcement sparks various reactions (ATV)

RS President Milorad Dodik's announcement that procedure of adoption of a new Constitution of the RS might be launched next year has sparked various reactions. According to members of the opposition parties, Dodik’s idea is another attempt to deceive the citizens of the RS. Head of PDP Caucus in the RS Assembly Miroslav Brckalo assessed that amendments to the RS Constitution could make it possible for Dodik to run for another presidential term, given the fact that his last term is coming to an end. On the other hand, former RS Assembly speaker Igor Radojicic assessed that the initiative for adoption of the new Constitution of the RS will not necessarily end up in failure, although the political situation is still unfavorable. He explained that Bosniak politicians would not allow any kind of change in the RS Constitution - not because they think it does not need changes but because they do not think the RS Constitution and the RS should exist at all. According to Radojicic, it will be the main obstacle in this process. “The RS Constitution dates back to 1992. It has more than 120 amendments, which means that it is time to thoroughly change it or adopt a new one,” Radojicic concluded. Legal expert Vitomir Popovic assessed that adjustment of the interests of the RS to the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and international law would be the most difficult part of this process, especially because of Dodik’s announcement that the new Constitution would make it possible for the RS to deal with the issue of secession on its own. “This Constitution would certainly have to comply with the highest international standards. Its amendments were headed that way, but provisions imposed by former High Representative WolfgangPetritsch should be left behind in order to move towards adoption of a Constitution that would meet the needs of Serbs and everyone who lives here in the RS,” Popovic explained.

Radoncic: SDA and HDZ B&H are to blame for crisis in Mostar (TV1)

Addressing the gathering at the National Theater in Mostar, SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic underlined that the next year will be of crucial importance for B&H as well as for Mostar. According to Radoncic, SDA and HDZ B&H caused the crisis in Mostar and let the eastern part of this city turn into the ruins without prosperity. He pointed out that the stalemate in this “forgotten city” is only favorable to SDA and HDZ B&H, while SBB B&H and citizens of Mostar do not find it acceptable at all. Radoncic stressed that the crisis in Mostar will certainly come to an end, as SBB B&H will find a way to unblock processes in this city. He also called on citizens to raise their voice and make SDA and HDZ B&H finally organize fair elections in Mostar.

Deputy Speaker of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Mladen Bosic (SDS) argued that the issue of Mostar is hard to imagine in democratic world, reminding of the fact that local elections in this city have not been held for years. Bosic assessed that the attitude of the international community towards this issue is quite interesting. “I am familiar with how they created the relations in the Brcko District and how the international community took actions, using all available methods including pressures, to impose and reach solutions that would actually work in certain ways. There is a lack of will to do the same in Mostar, where the situation is much less complicated than in the Brcko District,” Bosic explained.

SBB B&H, SDP and DF about to establish coalition to defeat Izetbegovic’s SDA in 2018 elections (EuroBlic)

The daily learned that leaders of SBB B&H, SDP and DF are negotiating on creation of a coalition which is supposed to defeat BakirIzetbegovic’s SDA in upcoming general elections. Sources told the daily that SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic, SDP leader NerminNiksic and DF leader Zeljko Komsic already agreed on distribution of most important individual posts after 2018 elections and added that Radoncic is expected to be a candidate for Bosniak member of B&H Presidency, while Niksic is expected to be the Federation of B&H Prime Minister. Komsic is expected to be the Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&H. The daily reminded that Radoncic recently gave an interview to a TV station and praised SDP and DF, which the daily assessed as a possible confirmation of the coalition. President of the Main Board of SDP Sasa Magazinovic claimed that he has no information on talks on possible coalition with SBB B&H, but he added that SDP is willing to cooperate with any party which wants to change current political circumstances in B&H, including Radoncic’s SBB B&H. DF Vice President Sifet Podzic too claimed that he has no information on talks on coalition but he did not deny such possibility.

Opinion poll: Citizens choose “No one” as most popular politician for third month in a row (HRT)

According to the latest CRO Demoskop opinion poll, recent events related to the troubled Agrokor concern have had an effect on the political scene in Croatia and people's perceptions of individual politicians. Although they still hold first place, the Croatian Democratic Union has seen a slight drop in support, while the Social Democratic Party, the Most party and the Zivi Zid party have seen a slight rise in support compared to last month. At the top of the list of most positive Croatian politicians for a third month in a row is “no one”, or better said no politician. President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic holds second place and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic remains in third. He is followed by Zivi Zid MP Ivan Pernar, which is his best result since he found himself on the list of most positive politicians. Social Democratic Party leader Davor Bernardic is in fifth place. Those polled also placed Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic at the top of the list of most negative Croatian politicians. The response "all politicians" took second place, while Zlatko Hasanbegovic took third. He is followed by Milorad Pupovac, Davor Bernardic, Zoran Milanovic, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Tomislav Karamarko, GordanMaras and Milan Bandic. Finally this month's poll showed that 76.8 percent of those polled consider Croatia to be headed in the wrong direction; a negative trend was also seen in the evaluation of the government's work for this month which has dropped by 2.21 percent.

Slovenia disappointed with US position on border arbitration with Croatia (T portal)

The Slovenian Foreign Minister recently received a letter from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson replied to his Slovenian counterpart Karl Erjavec’s letter sent in early July, in which the Slovenian Foreign Minister said that the US should be “on the side of international law” in the border arbitration dispute between Slovenia and Croatia. Ljubljana is somewhat disappointed with the response because the US advocates for a bilateral solution to the dispute. Also, according to the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, Tillerson expressed hope in his letter that, in the meantime, both states will refrain from provocative moves that could negatively affect not just their bilateral relations but also regional stability.

Slovenian website Siol.net states that Tillerson's letter and its content can hardly be considered to be part of “regular diplomatic contacts” between Washington and Ljubljana since there is no explicit mention of arbitration decision on whose implementation Slovenia insists. It is believed that this may be a sign that the United States in more inclined to support Croatia’s position that the arbitration decision is not binding. Also, it is also interesting to note the timing when the Trump administration decided to reply to the letter explaining the Slovenian position on arbitration and its implementation. Tillerson's message was sent after Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar cancelled a visit to Zagreb, allegedly provoked by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic's speech at the United Nations in September when he repeated well-known Croatian views on the inadmissibility of the arbitration decision due to Slovenia’s actions which had compromised the whole arbitration process. Slovenia is mainly relying on the implementation of the arbitration decision on the European Union, whose leading members support the Slovenian position on arbitration, while Croatia's position is reportedly endorsed only by Poland. That is why Croatia wants to rely more heavily on US support, although it is clear that the Trump administration is not particularly interested in events in Southeast Europe.

What will be Brussels’ reaction to Djukanovic’s statement? (RTCG)

Former Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic said that due to the crisis of the European Union (EU) there was a stronger articulation of the interests of great powers that are ready to offer an alternative to the countries of the Western Balkans. Djukanovic said that the EU’s enlargement enthusiasm has been dampened in Western Balkans, which was "very dangerous state". "I primarily mean the Russian interests, but also we must not overlook the others, like China, which exposes its economic interests in Europe as a whole, as well as Turkey. It seems to me that the European Union has not registered these circumstances. The EU does not do enough on the attractiveness of its policy for the countries of the Western Balkans. It seems to me that the EU acts as a young bride from the time after the Cold War, when it was clear to everyone that it was the only target. But today we live in some other circumstances,” said Djukanovic.

“The EU has to work on its offensive enlargement politics and to constantly insist on making its politics more attractive," added Djukanovic. Former president of Slovenia Milan Kucan said that current position of the Western Balkans was delicate. "The geopolitical deployment and configuration process in the Balkans has not been completed. National borders do not coincide with state borders. We have unresolved border disputes. The big problem is that some countries are in a different position in relation to international organizations. Croatia and Slovenia have joined the EU and NATO, others are in the process of anticipation and this does not create a good climate and does not give the impression that we all belong to the same space. There are conflicts of geopolitical interests. The interests of Russia and the West are in conflict. This interest in the West is not clearly defined - whether it is the interest of Europe, the United States, or Europe is undermining the interests of the United States," Kucan said.

President of the European Movement, Momcilo Radulovic, stated the expert union for several years already unanimously warns on what the President of DPS, Milo Djukanovic, indicated: slow EU enlargement processes and even slower accession of the Balkans. DEMOS considers Djukanovic’s speech as a lecture to Brussels, while the Liberal Party supports Djukanovic, pointing out that we all can feel the inconsistent policy of the European Parliament.

As for the European Movement, nothing changed in Montenegro compared to the situation three or four years ago. Radulovic pointed out that the Balkans was moving towards the Europe but there were only few concrete actions. He hasn’t hidden his satisfaction with Djukanovic’s attempt to draw attention of Brussels and speak out of the Balkans’ needs. DEMOS, on the other hand, considers the speech of Djukanovic as utterly inappropriate.

Boycott staggered the opposition, not the ruling coalition (Pobjeda)

The Democratic Party of Socialist (DPS) MP, Milos Nikolic, estimated that the Democratic Front MPs returned to the Parliament aware of the boycott failure and that it actually caused the crisis in the Opposition rather than in the overall system. He considers the Montenegrin institutions have shown strength and professionalism over the last years, since all the attempts of the opposition to ruin the system failed. “Destruction and continuous attacks on the system are core of the entire Opposition’s behavior over the last two years,” said Nikolic. Asked whether he expects the Opposition to change its attitude and start participating in the work of the parliamentary body for the implementation of OSCE recommendations, Nikolic stated he hopes to see such scenario. “I sincerely hope the Opposition will change its thinking. However, I’m well aware how deep it sank into its own irresponsibility towards the state interests and meeting requirements on that way,” he noted. According to his opinion, basic political, professional and human seriousness should make the opposition colleagues join the Working Group, aiming to improve the electoral system. “Bearing in mind their behavior over the last year, I assume we shouldn’t expect much,” concluded Nikolic.

Defense Ministry denies Knezevic’s claim: NATO won’t build bases in Montenegro (CDM)

NATO will not build two military bases in Montenegro, the Ministry of Defence told CDM. The ministry denied allegations of one of the Democratic Front leaders Milan Knezevic, who told the Moscow daily Izvestiya that NATO would build two military bases very soon. Knezevic said that these plans would be implemented over the next two years, by 2019. “With a high probability, one base will appear on the coast, and the other in the mountains,” said Knezevic. The ministry makes it clear that this is not true.

They say I’m the target after Djukanovic (CDM)

As Montenegro’s accession to NATO sparked tensions on Moskva-Podgorica relations, Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev expects similar scenario in his country, which is going to be the 30th Alliance member country, as he believes. “Backlash will probably be strong. My country has no other option. We want to deepen our cooperation with Russia. We want to sell more tomato and cabbage there, as well as all other agricultural products we produce, but still we have no option,” Zaev emphasized. Montenegro faced strong backlash by entering the Alliance, which could have become even worse and Russia set itself as an open enemy. Zaev also spoke about possible similar scenario in Macedonia. “I know there were certain attempts of assassination but the good thing is we reacted on time and thank God, everything has been prevented. Some analysts clam that I’m still a target. If something should be, let it be. I accepted to become a prime minister because my country needs a leader. I’m ready to make decisions our citizens expect no matter what,” Zaev said.

Ivanov: EU’s failure in the Balkans is used by Russia and China (Meta)

EU’s failure in the Balkans is used by China and Russia, said the President of Republic of Macedonia, Gjorge Ivanov, in an interview for the British newspaper Telegraph. The Macedonian President thinks that EU is stuck in a 20th-century mindset and petty internal squabbles had left it unable to meet the challenges of the current century, from mass migration to digital crime bosses. “The European Union is leaving its door open for the Chinese and the Russian strategic encroachment in the Balkans because of its abject failure to engage and invest in the region. Until recently, we haven’t seen any Russian investment in Macedonia. But as Europe is withdrawing – or rather not keeping its promises about making the Balkans part of the European Union – it’s like a call from the EU to come and fill in that space,” said Ivanov in the interview.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Volker to meet Surkov on November 13 in Belgrade (Ukraine International, 4 November 2017)

Deployment of UN peacekeepers in Donbas is to be discussed

US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker and Counselor of the president of Russia Vladislav Surkov are to meet in Belgrade, Serbia on November 13, the former told journalists in Washington, as Bloomberg reports. The parties are to discuss deployment of UN peacekeepers to Donbas. In September, the two officials discussed Russia’s suggestion of the mission, but it was dismissed by Ukraine and the U.S., as it proposed to deploy the peacekeepers only on the conflict line. Ukraine and the U.S. say that the mission must be present all over the conflict zone to ensure sustainable peace.

FBI to Help Albania's New Crime Task Force (BIRN, by Fatjona Mejdini, 6 November 2017)

Albania is to establish a new special anti-crime police task force that will work with the FBI and other foreign police forces in the war against grave crime and the drugs trade.

Albania on Monday will announce the formation of a special anti-crime task force within the police, which will work on partly secret operations with US FBI agents.

The secretive part of these operations will be shared only with other local and international law enforcement agencies included as partners in the process. Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama on Sunday said it formed part of the second phase of the war against narcotics, after a report by the police and its Italian counterparts said the country was being cleansed of cannabis cultivation.

Rama said a FBI agent with a good background in economic crimes was due in Tirana within a week. He also announced that Italian and German police agents will take part in the operations.

He said that Albania had worked hard to unite the best local and international human resources to this new phase of the war against crime. "We have worked for three months preparing this special new task force, named 'Power of Law' ... that is going to be the most intensive, long-lasting, anti-organised crime operation," Rama said. The operation would also reveal the true relationship between politics and crime, he noted. Rama said the anti-crime drive was connected to the long-awaited wider judicial reform process, although the establishment of some of the most important bodies in this process, tasked with fighting crime and high-level corruption, has been delayed. Rama's government has come under fire lately for links to crime as the result of an investigation started by the serious crimes prosecution office against former Interior Minister and Socialist MP Saimir Tahiri. Prosecutors say they suspect that Tahiri was involved in drug trafficking while he was a minister, aiding a drugs smuggling ring directed by his cousins.