LOCAL PRESS 

Vucic: Not everything for all and enough for everyone (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti/B92) 

Serbia is committed to the dialogue with Pristina and ready to continue it, but insists on a compromise solution that would take into account the interests of both sides without ultimatums, and is setting no timeframes for a compromise agreement, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting with EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak in Belgrade late on Wednesday.

Vucic said he had had a good and substantial conversation with Lajcak, who briefed him on the essence of his discussions in Pristina. Serbia is committed to the dialogue with Pristina and is ready to continue it whenever an invitation to dialogue comes from Brussels, Vucic said. Vucic noted that Serbia backed Lajcak’s activities, efforts and intent to reach a solution through a policy of compromise that would mean dissatisfaction or partial satisfaction on both sides, without ultimatums or imposed solutions. Serbia is participating in discussions and talks in good faith, out of a desire that there be understanding for Serbian state and national interests as well, rather than just for the national interests of ethnic Albanians, Vucic said. “Accordingly, we believe that compromise and agreement mean - not everything for all and enough for everyone. I am confident that what is important is that, despite the frequently discouraging statements from Pristina, our obligation is to be responsible and committed because there will be no progress in EU integration, and this is Serbia’s strategic goal, if we do not make major moves and progress in the dialogue,” Vucic said. He said that Serbia does not set deadlines for reaching some kind of compromise agreement because it is much more important to make an agreement and for both sides to be satisfied with it. Serbia will insist on full implementation of the Brussels agreement, including on establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities and on everything that has remained unfulfilled since 2013, he said, adding that Serbia had fulfilled all of its obligations in full.

Vucic expects dialogue to resume in April or May 

I do not see that Kosovo Albanians are ready for an agreement, which is why I am not optimistic, but the good news is that they are ready for dialogue and discussions, which can lead to results, Vucic said. “That already means progress, and it is no small job done by Miroslav Lajcak,” Vucic noted. “There are great expectations from Pristina from the new US administration. Albanians think that they can’t make any compromise, that Serbs will give them everything they want, because they have to do it under pressure. That will not happen,” he emphasized. According to him, he believes that the Americans will leave the dialogue to the EU. “They are people who created their child, made a cradle for their child, rocked it. A child has grown up to a teenager. The situation is all the more difficult for us. It is up to us to get as much as possible for our people,” he said. Vucic stated that Lajcak ‘accidentally’ said Kosovo and Serbia in tonight’s address, because Belgrade and Pristina should have said so. “But we are already well used to that in the EU, they mostly talk about Kosovo and Serbia, even though it is de facto about Belgrade and Pristina. We will continue to talk and we are ready to compromise. We do not choose their leadership or politics. It is important that we resolve our relations, that they be good, that we all live well with each other and next to each other. If they don’t then what can we do,” Vucic stated. Vucic said he expected the dialogue with Pristina to continue in April or May.

Lajcak: EU has no interest in maintaining status quo  

The EU member states have no interest in maintaining a status quo on the Kosovo issue and are prepared to lead the process of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to a successful conclusion, as quickly as the two sides are ready, EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said after meeting with Vucic in Belgrade. “The EU member states expect the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on comprehensive normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and all open issues to continue in a constructive fashion and in good faith,” Lajcak said. He noted that the EU member states expected the two sides to implement everything that had been agreed in the dialogue process over the past ten years. He said that the EU has a good history of relations with the US and that it is now returning to cooperation with the US. According to him, agreements have been reached in 10 years, and they have been implemented to a greater extent.

Selakovic: Long-term threat from Greater Albania (RTS/Tanjug/Politika) 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic began his official visit to Berlin by addressing the EU Committee of the German Bundestag, where he said that Serbia, whose foreign policy priority is full EU membership, remains committed to dialogue with Pristina, under the EU auspices. Selakovic pointed out that the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is a topic of the greatest importance, not only for Serbia, but also for preserving peace and stability in the entire region, adding that the lack of trust is a significant problem in the negotiation process. He said that Serbia insists that what is agreed within the dialogue – must be strictly and without exception implemented, reminding that Belgrade has done a lot so far, while Pristina has refused to apply the part concerning the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities for 2,874 days. “This is Pristina’s commitment, the implementation of which our side will insist on, mainly because we want a better and safer life for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija,” Selakovic stressed. He pointed out that Serbia strives to preserve its Orthodox cultural heritage in ​​Kosovo and Metohija, which is of immeasurable importance for the whole of Christianity. “That is why we are concerned about the numerous activities carried out by the authorities in Pristina and Tirana in a synchronized and open manner regarding the implementation of the ​idea of a Greater Albania, which is a threat not only to Serbia but also to the stability of the whole region. All of us need to realize how serious and long-term the threat to region is,” he warned. “Serbia therefore expects strong and clear action from its partners to suppress such ambitions,” Selakovic added. He added that Serbia is on the European side because of the transformative power of the accession process, as it wants to enable a better life for its citizens. Selakovic presented the government’s economic successes, stressing that Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of economic growth as will officially be confirmed in late March, when the first quarterly review will be published. Such a result, he adds, was achieved thanks to the rapid opening of our economy after the first wave of the pandemic, as well as the reform measures that have been adopted by the Serbian government since 2014. According to Selakovic, Serbia is a link and an important part of the corridor between Western Europe and Istanbul, and in this regard he recalled that the first section of the highway from Sofia to the border with Serbia has been completed, while the part under construction of the Bulgarian side should be built by the end of this year. Regarding the rule of law, Selakovic stressed that Serbia has done a lot in recent years, citing the adoption of the proposed constitutional amendments which were forwarded to parliament for further procedure as part of the constitutional amendment process, binding the country to the EU accession process. Regarding media freedom, Selakovic noted that in Serbia media freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution and legislation that is fully in line with EU standards, adding that the country unreservedly supports media freedom and is fully aligned with the view that it is the foundation of any democratic society. In this area, he emphasizes, results are evident, recalling that in 2019 a new media strategy was adopted and the action plan for the implementation of the media strategy was approved at the end of last year. “A working group was created for the security and protection of journalists, alongside a working group to monitor the implementation of the Media Strategy Action Plan. All requests for legal action against the media or journalists have been withdrawn. All criminal charges against media representatives were dropped. The Prosecutor of the Republic has issued an order for prosecutors, who order urgent action in cases involving journalists. The directive also imposes sanctions in case of threat, violence or endangering the safety of journalists and media workers in an urgent procedure,” Selakovic said.

Dacic and Braathu: Ready to continue constructive cooperation (Tanjug/Beta) 

Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic congratulated the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Jan Braathu, on his appointment to a new post, reminding him of their previous excellent cooperation during the time Braathu headed the OSCE Mission to Kosovo and Metohija and hoping that it would continue in the same vein during his new mandate. They discussed the parliament’s cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Belgrade so far and opportunities for future joint efforts on advancing the parliament’s work. Braathu said the OSCE Mission in Belgrade stands ready to help the Serbian institutions in the conduct of reforms and realization of the objectives set by the government. Dacic informed him about the second phase of the inter-party dialogue and the video meeting he had, within the process, with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs David McAllister on 1 March. At Ambassador Braathu’s interest about the Constitutional amendment concerning the judiciary and election of judges, Dacic briefed the guest on the Constitutional amendment procedure. Both sides declared themselves ready to continue the constructive cooperation based on trust and partnership.

REGIONAL PRESS 

 

Vucic’s humanitarianism hurts many (EuroBlic) 

 

Donation of vaccines against coronavirus delivered by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) on Tuesday sparked reactions of numerous politicians and analysts in B&H. “Instead of presenting words of gratitude because at least someone thought of B&H and decided to donate vaccines, numerous Bosniak politicians interpreted this gesture as ‘humiliation’ for this state, especially because help came from Serbia” the daily noted and reminded that Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&H Bisera Turkovic resented the fact that Vucic donated AstraZeneca vaccines produced in India. Some other Bosniak politicians presented similar stances and NIP leader Elmedin Konakovic said that this help represents humiliation for B&H: “Our leaders have no pride, no honor, no spine. Today, we were truly humiliated”. At the same time, Serb politicians welcomed this assistance and asked Turkovic and other critics what they have done for B&H to get vaccines and why they have not acquired at least those from India “if they are so cheap and easily accessible”. Representative of the Institute for Social-Political Research from Mostar Milan Sitarski said that there are probably different motives behind criticism of Serbia’s donation, including some kind of sense of powerlessness because B&H did not manage to acquire vaccines itself, but he warned that it is wrong to politicize this donation. Sitarski argued that B&H should ignore unsolved political issues with Serbia at this moment and treat humanitarianism and solidarity separately from political issues. Sociologist Vedran Francuz reminded that relations between B&H and Serbia have been complicated for three decades already and “individual representatives of Bosniak political scene contribute to this the most”. Francuz also assessed that Vucic surely “causes discomfort among those who failed to impose themselves as leaders. The reactions from two days ago were greatly caused by frustration and vanity because of their inability to secure necessary vaccines for citizens, primarily for citizens of the Federation of B&H” and concluded by saying that diverting of attention away from Vucic’s humane act is nothing else but denying one’s own responsibility.

Izetbegovic: Serbia's vaccine donation is a reciprocal gesture to B&H (N1) 

Serbia’s donation of 5,000 vaccines Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) is a “beautiful, symbolic” and “reciprocal” gesture after B&H helped Serbia a few months ago when the country had difficulties addressing the coronavirus situation in the area of Sandzak, the leader of SDA, Bakir Izetbegovic, said on Tuesday. Izetbegovic made the comment after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Sarajevo on Tuesday to hand over the donation of vaccines. “It's a beautiful, symbolic gesture. I see it as a reciprocal gesture to what B&H did a few months ago when the situation was very difficult in Sandzak in Serbia when our doctors went there to help because at that time the Serbian health care system was overburdened and could not take care of those people in Sandzak,” Izetbegovic said. He said that “a few thousand vaccines will not change a lot.” “In Serbia, people are vaccinated in masse, but unfortunately, the epidemic is spreading five times faster in Serbia than in B&H, so I don't think that will change things significantly, but every gesture of goodwill is welcome,” he said. Izetbegovic expressed hope that “more difficult issues” between Bosnia and Serbia will start getting resolved soon.

‘Verlab’ says ‘AstraZeneca’ is considering lawsuit against B&H over latest statement given by B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs (N1) 

 

Director of ‘Verlab’ Almir Badnjevic told N1 that he has information that the management of ‘AstraZeneca’ is considering a lawsuit against B&H over the latest statement given by B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic, who said on Tuesday that ‘AstraZeneca’ vaccines donated to B&H by Serbia are “intended for poor countries, not approved and can be procured easily”. He said that ‘AstraZeneca’ finds it very insulting that they were accused of making difference between countries and people and that it is also disputable that someone even questions the quality of their vaccines regardless of where they were produced.  “We will be lucky to avoid a lawsuit. One of the topics at the meeting of the management will be discussion of this issue,” pointed out Badnjevic.

Ambassador: B&H didn't respond to Russia's offer to sell FB&H entity vaccines (N1) 

The Russian Direct Investment Fund offered to sell Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Sputnik V vaccines, which would have allegedly arrived in February, for the price of 9.95 Bosnian Marks per dose, but the B&H Embassy in Russia never received an answer to the offer from B&H, the country's ambassador in Moscow Zeljko Samardzija confirmed. Samardzija explained that at the end of January, the B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked him for information on the characteristics of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, based on a request from the Ministry of Health of the semi-autonomous FBiH entity. He said that he immediately contacted the Russian Direct Investment Fund about it. “They provided all valid information about the price of the vaccine and the method of transport. They even said that one batch of 20-30 thousand could be delivered within 10 to 15 days,” he said. He said that he submitted all the information to the B&H Foreign Affairs Ministry. “After that, no one contacted me,” he said. Samardzija also noted that he was not involved in the procurement of the Sputnik V vaccines in Republika Srpska (RS).

Interview with Slovenian President Pahor ahead of his visit to B&H (Dnevni avaz) 

 

The daily reported that Slovenian President Borut Pahor will be at the helm of Slovenian delegation which will pay visit to B&H on Friday and in this regard daily carries an exclusive interview with Pahor. Speaking about his expectations from the meeting with B&H Presidency, Pahor noted that this is his first visit abroad after the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, which shows how much importance relations with B&H have for Slovenia. He noted that the meeting with B&H Presidency will focus on regional cooperation, preparations for Brdo-Brijuni Initiative, which Pahor will host at the beginning of April i.e. as soon as epidemiological situation allows it. He added that they will also discuss the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges that both countries are facing, including the issue of illegal migration. Pahor noted that he and Slovenian Defense Minister Matej Tonin will pay a visit to Slovenian soldiers, who are part of EUFOR troops and NATO HQ Sarajevo in Butmir Base. Speaking about cooperation between two countries, Pahor noted that cooperation is at a very good level, underlining the economic cooperation. Asked about Slovenian dedication to assist B&H’s path to EU, Pahor stressed that he is a strong advocator of the EU enlargement to Western Balkans, underlining that this is a very important geopolitical issue: “Naturally, countries which aim to become EU members have to do their part of job and I personally encourage my colleagues from the EU to fulfill their part. Slovenia is offering B&H political support and concrete technical support on the path of EU accession”. Asked about open issues between two countries, Pahor underlined the issue of succession, arguing that Slovenia is encouraging other successors to accelerate implementation of Agreement on Succession.

SDP and SDA enter battle with statements regarding FB&H government (Dnevni list) 

After SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic stated that they will try to appoint new ministers to the FB&H government despite of the fact that their mandate expired, SDP issued a statement calling on SDA not to follow the path of violation of constitutional order and legal violence. SDP stated that SDA already betrayed citizens when they allowed forming of the B&H Council of Ministers without appointment of FB&H government and reminded that SDA’s support to appointment of HDZ B&H’s candidate instead of SDP’s for FB&H House of Peoples from West Herzegovina Canton allowed HDZ B&H and their leader Dragan Covic to take over control over FB&H HoP and block appointment of the FB&H Government. SDP further stressed that FB&H HoP speaker Tomislav Martinovic, appointed owing to SDA votes, is obstructing the process of appointment of the FB&H government. SDP argues that three years after general elections, FB&H citizens should have the legitimate government, which is not led by a man indicted for abuse of millions. The party noted that SDP is willing to provide constructive assistance in stabilization of the situation in the FB&H, which would include appointment of legitimate bodies and institutions, but they also warn that in case SDA opts for violation of the Constitution and proceed with appointment of two new ministers, they will fight against this using all legal means. SDA reacted to SDP’s statement arguing that SDP has no problems with the fact that HDZ B&H is blocking appointment of the FB&H Government for two years, but they find it problematic that SDA wants to appoint two new ministers to the post of deceased Minister Salko Bukvarevic and Ambassador Elvira Dilberovic.

SDA and HDZ B&H delegations to discuss Election Law and formation of FB&H government (Nezavisne/FTV) 

 

Delegations of SDA and HDZ B&H will meet on 10 March to discuss amendments to B&H Election Law and formation of the new FB&H government. HDZ B&H Vice President Borjana Kristo stated that the meeting will be an opportunity to see in which direction to move. SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic recently stated that he is not convinced that B&H will get the new Election Law anytime soon. He underlined that SDA advocates the civic principles, and it will not accept introducing of new constituencies. Speaking for FTV on Tuesday, Izetbegovic said that formation of the new FB&H government could be completed within a month, and noted that this is SDA’s condition for continuation of talks on amendments to B&H Election Law. He explained that SDA’s position in the FB&H House of Peoples is somewhat weakened, and it remains to be seen if SDA can have enough votes to appoint the new government and FB&H President and Vice Presidents. If this proves to be impossible, he explained, it will be necessary to reshuffle the FB&H government and appoint new Minster of Veterans’ Issues and Minister of Education. “SDA insists that every citizen has the same right on every inch of this land, to be able to vote for whomever they want and to be able to run for any office. Without this, changes to Election Law will not be accepted”, Izetbegovic underlined. He concluded that it is necessary to create a balance between the ethnic and civic principles, which will be very difficult.

Russian Ambassador proposes B&H’s inclusion in ‘Russia – Islamic World’ group (N1) 

 

Newly appointed Russian Ambassador in Bosnia Igor Kalabukhov proposed to B&H to be included in the Group of Strategic Vision ‘Russia – Islamic World’, which aims to strengthen cooperation between Russia and countries where Muslims live, during a meeting with B&H’s House of Peoples Chairman, Bakir Izetbegovic, on Wednesday. According to the B&H Parliament's public affairs office, the two met to speak about strengthening cooperation between Russia and Bosnia on political, economic and cultural issues and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. They announced that a visit of B&H officials to Russia will be organized where a series of bilateral agreements are to be signed. Izetbegovic wished Kalabukhov a successful mandate in B&H. The Group of Strategic Vision ‘Russia – Islamic World’ consists of “33 famous statesmen and public figures from 27 Muslim states, including the former prime ministers, the former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, a number of the largest theologians of the Islamic East from Indonesia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, and many others,” the Group’s website says.

 

Djukanovic: Renunciation of anti-fascism recommended by those who want Montenegro to finally renounce its identity (RTCG) 

Montenegro has made the most progress in the process of Europeanization, and if it remained off the rails now, it would be a catastrophe, says President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, answering questions from journalists from the region at the 5th Podgorica Journalists’ Forum. He believes that the policy of a civil state, multi-ethnic democracy and the European value system has begun to take root in Montenegro. According to him, overcoming divisions in the country is a challenge, but the way to overcome them should be sought without renouncing anti-fascism because that would mean renouncing oneself. “The renunciation of anti-fascism is in fact the renunciation of the state of itself. This is recommended to us by those who want Montenegro to finally give up its identity. If we talk about the Montenegrin identity, its most valuable link is anti-fascism,” says Djukanovic. He is convinced that Montenegro is determined to preserve a civil Montenegro. “Now that all of Europe is on the path to unification, there are no big dilemmas, I would say not for intelligent politicians, but for intelligent people. I’m not an apologist of Europe, I see European weaknesses, but I absolutely know that there is a much worse solution than all the weaknesses we see in Europe today, and that is to stay out of the European track, it would be a catastrophe for all of us,” Djukanovic points out.

 

Zaev calls for a vote of confidence in his government (Republika) 

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev submitted a request to the Parliament for a vote of confidence in his government. The move seems designed to intercept attempts by several of his coalition partners to abandon the coalition. The Constitution provides that for 90 days after the vote of confidence took place, there can be no new such vote. This would give Zaev three months of relative peace – if he is able to hold his coalition partners in line in the first vote. Zaev faces protests from within his own SDSM party over the concessions he is giving to Bulgaria on issues of Macedonian national identity and history. His Bulgarian policy, the high level of corruption, and the brief escape of former security chief Saso Mijalkov caused an uproar in several of his smaller coalition partners, like the Liberal-Democratic Party, the green DOM party and the Democratic Alliance, who hold combined five seats in parliament. As Zaev’s government has just 62 votes out of the 120 seat parliament, their announced withdrawal from the SDSM led group in parliament put Zaev’s political survival in jeopardy. Zaev was also unable to deliver on a major promise to his BESA Albanian coalition partner (4 seats) which demanded that future identity cards declare the ethnicity of its holder. Two members of Parliament from his larger Albanian partner DUI are also unhappy with the coalition – mainly because of internal DUI politics. The sentencing of a group of Albanian islamists to life in prison for the 2012 Good Friday massacre – even after Zaev promised that he has exculpatory evidence, added to the strains. The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party has been announcing that it is in talks with Zaev’s coalition partners who are preparing to split from him for a while. Zaev’s initiative to himself ask for a vote of confidence is likely planned to break off any such talks by forcing his partners to declare their loyalty.

 

Triumph or escape from the end – confidence, but not people’s trust (Republika/Sitel TV) 

With a thunderous applause, 62 votes were greeted, which supposedly mean endorsing the government in the confidence vote. The Prime Minister Zoran Zaev himself asked for a vote of confidence, without debate, without discussing the omissions, the wrong policy, the bad negotiations, the changes in the textbooks, the fact that we still do not have vaccines…

Do those 62 votes really mean triumph ?! What was the applause for in the Parliament? For the missing vaccines? For the changed name? For the identity manipulations? For the abolition of history? For the fact that we still do not have a date for negotiations, even though we gave up everything that is Macedonian? For the manipulation with the killed boys near Smilkovsko Lake? Although seemingly brave, Zaev’s move was quite cowardly, and it was immediately pointed out to him by the opposition in parliament. You did not have the strength, courage to propose it under Article 214 paragraph 3 and allow three days of debate here and say all the anomalies of this government, but running away from the public for three days you do not want face the fact that there are no vaccines in the Republic of Macedonia, that we have highest mortality rate in the Republic of Macedonia, the fact that yesterday the Anti-Corruption Minister in the Republic of Macedonia said to the media “I pay you, you should say what I say on Top tema. You want to escape from all the corruption scandals that this Government has been involved in, pointed out the coordinator of the VMRO-DPMNE’s group in Parliament Nikola Micevski. VMRO-DPMNE MP, Timco Mucunski told Sitel TV said that today for five hours in the Parliament, Prime Minister Zaev dealt with Byzantine games instead of the problems of the citizens. Today in the Parliament we witnessed four five-hour Byzantine games at which in the end Prime Minister Zaev proved that he has the majority he has had since August. We see some triumphalism now. According to me, it would be triumphant for the Prime Minister to come before the MPs today and say that 100,000 vaccines have been provided, to come and say that there is a new set of economic measures that will save jobs that will save companies that are on edge of liquidity, said Mucunski. Today’s alleged triumph of Zaev is just proof that he is seriously concerned and that he is desperately buying time for the fragile government. The hasty and smuggling vote only confirmed the latest rumors that his coalition is on the verge of collapse, especially since LDP and DS MPs decided to act independently, and the confidence vote reflects how much distrust he has in his coalition partners. People are dissatisfied. People are not happy that there are no vaccines. People are not happy that history is being abolished. People are not happy that we have changed the name and we are still at the gates of the EU that are closed to us. People are not happy that the pensions have increased by just 135 denars. People are not happy that SDSM is in power!

 

Kurti on official visit in Tirana, meets with the candidate of VV (Radio Tirana) 

The chairman of the Vetvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti appeared alongside the candidate for deputy of the VV center in Tirana Bojken Abazi. Kurti, who is expected to take over as Kosovo's, said he would strengthen relations with official Tirana. "I will have better relations that any prime minister has had with Official Tirana with post-war Kosovo," he said.

While expressing the highest evaluations for the candidacy of Bojken Abazi, Albin Kurti said that the center of VV in Tirana aims to get the vote of dissatisfied Albanians in the parliamentary elections of 25 April. "I have known Bojken for 15 years, he is an unbreakable activist, he is uncorrupted, Albanians need change in both Kosovo and Albania. I know him better than his family, the challenges we have gone through in Kosovo have seasoned him to represent "Citizens here in the Assembly of the Republic like few others before in Albania, who are still not concluding the transition. Dissatisfied Albanians are the hope of Albania and ours, we do not distinguish them", said the Chairman of the Vetvendosje Movement Albin Kurti.

Meta-Kurti share views on strengthening Albania-Kosovo coop (ADN) 

 

President of the Republic of Albania Ilir Meta received Wednesday in meeting the Leader of Vetevendosje Party (LVV) and future Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti. Following the gathering with Kurti, Meta emphasized that this was a fraternal meeting, adding that he shared with the leader of VV many ideas for the overall strengthening of cooperation between Albania and Kosovo. “Today, I had the pleasure to receive in a fraternal meeting the leader of Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, winner of the last elections in Kosovo. I congratulated him on the victory, but above all on the excellent election process that Kosovo realized. We shared many valuable ideas for the comprehensive strengthening of cooperation between our two countries and the acceleration of integration processes, to guarantee a better and secure European future, which our citizens deserve,” informed the Albanian Head of State on the social networks.

DP Chair discusses Albania, Kosovo’s challenges with Kurti (ADN) 

 

Leader of Vetevendosje Party (LVV) and future Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti went Wednesday afternoon to the blue headquarters, where he had a meeting with the Chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Lulzim Basha. In a reaction after the meeting, Basha revealed the two officials have talked about the challenges lying in front of their countries and stated that he has assured Kurti that tomorrow as Prime Minister of Albania I will do everything to increase and strengthen cooperation with Kosovo. "I received today with pleasure the leader of Vetevendosje Movement, the next Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti. I congratulated him on the victory of the parliamentary elections, and the model that Kosovo gave to Albania and the whole region for the way of organizing the elections, although in pandemic conditions. During the meeting with Mr. Kurti, I underlined the vital need that Albania has for change in the elections of 25 April and I assured him that tomorrow as Prime Minister of Albania I will do everything to increase and strengthen cooperation with Kosovo for economic development, employment, recognition of it from countries that still have not done it, as well as membership in international institutions," writes Basha. However, Kurti's meeting with Basha came after a lunch that the head of LVV had with Prime Minister Edi Rama. During his visit to Tirana, Albin Kurti also met with President Ilir Meta, and held meetings at the LVV offices in the Albanian capital.

Freedom House: Albania less free in 2020, continues to be partly free (Tirana Times) 

Albania continues to be considered a partly free country, according to the 2021 Freedom in the World report published by Freedom House, which reflects on the global freedom performance during 2020. On the Global Freedom Score table, Albania in 2020 received 66 points from a total of 100, dropping by one point from 2019, after facing a decline in the category related to the rights of public gathering and organization. “We saw a decline in freedom of assembly, due to violence between protesters and security forces in May, during the demolition of the National Theater building,” said the co-author of the report Amy Slipowitz to Voice of America. The demolition of the theatre and the violence against the protesters were condemned by key exponents of the European Union and many international institutions. Another cause for concern “was when in December police killed a citizen who had violated the curfew order. These contributed to the decline in the category of freedom of assembly,” said Slipowitz. The killing of Rasha sparked anger among the public, and lead to protests all over the country. The use of excessive violence by the police was condemned by the media and many international institutions. Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, declared on that occasion that “The Albanian authorities must show restraint in policing demonstrations and ensure thorough, independent and effective investigations into all allegations of excessive use of force. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic does not give authorities carte blanche to use force when policing assemblies.” From a total of 40 points in the Political Rights category, Albania managed to get only 27, while in the Civil Liberties category, Albania received 39 points from a total of 60. In the region, Kosovo also saw a decline in the report, from 56 points in 2019, to 54 points in 2020, due to the electoral process and political pluralism, according to VOA. Meanwhile, Montenegro and North Macedonia have both seen a rise in the ranking, with North Macedonia gaining 3 points. In a global level, “as a lethal pandemic, economic and physical insecurity, and violent conflict ravaged the world in 2020, democracy’s defenders sustained heavy new losses in their struggle against authoritarian foes, shifting the international balance in favor of tyranny.” The report continues by saying that “Incumbent leaders increasingly used force to crush opponents and settle scores, sometimes in the name of public health, while beleaguered activists—lacking effective international support—faced heavy jail sentences, torture, or murder in many settings.”

US DOS Report on Money Laundering: Albania made no significant progress due to corruption and organized crime networks (Tirana Times) 

The United States Department of State published a report on Money Laundering in 2020, where regarding Albania it concludes that the government “made no significant progress toward thwarting money laundering and financial crimes in 2020. Albania remains vulnerable to money laundering due to corruption, organized crime networks, and weak legal and government institutions.” The report goes on by saying that “The country has a large cash economy and informal sector, with significant money inflows from abroad in the form of remittances and diverse investments. Major proceeds-generating crimes in Albania include drug trafficking, tax evasion, and smuggling. Albanian criminal organizations have links to networks operating in Europe and South America,” adding that the country registered some progress with its anti-Mafia confiscation law in the case of Klement Balili. While acknowledging that the ongoing judicial reforms have improved Albania’s prospects for addressing the sensitive issue of money laundering, the report suggests that “these efforts, however, are still hampered by capacity challenges in recently established justice institutions and pervasive corruption that undermines the rule of law.” Some of the major sources of money laundering in Albania for the moment are narcotics trafficking and other organized crime activity, and the geographical position of the country and the presence of organized crime in Western Europe and South America “increase vulnerabilities.” Meanwhile, the most prevalent methods of laundering illicit proceeds are “real estate investments and business development projects.” After making a quick summary of the approved anti-illicit enrichment legislation and the mechanisms to target illicit assets, the report says that “meeting evidentiary requirements for final asset seizure remains challenging.” While legal and policy changes “have improved Albania’s ability to combat money laundering and financial crimes […] implementation has been inconsistent.” The number of money laundering prosecution remains low despite “a sizeable number of money laundering investigations in recent years.” Another problem remains the fact that Albania has a substantial black market for smuggled goods that is facilitated by weak border controls and custom enforcement. Also, “courts often refuse to convict for money laundering absent a conviction for a predicate offence.” In its recommendations, the report suggests that Albania “must implement existing laws effectively and continue to develop the capacity of its police and prosecutors to focus on corruption, money laundering, and economic crimes.” The implementation of the criminal code reforms in 2016 and 2017 is also still a challenge. The report concludes by saying that Albania had success against “organized crime figures in 2020,” giving as examples the confiscation of 40% of the assets of Klement Balili and the fact that the prosecutors seized Ylli Ndroqi’s numerous businesses, including Ora News. According to the report, Ylli Ndroqi “is suspected of organizing narcotics trafficking in Turkey and Italy.”