LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: Pristina must make concessions for Serbs to take part in new elections (Retuers/Tanjug)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday Pristina must make concessions to ensure Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija participate in new elections there. "Serbs are always ready to talk, but you have to offer them something," Vucic told Reuters in an interview. "All Serbs in the north think of Serbia as their country, not Kosovo. That is the reality," he said. "We still do not have an association of Serb municipalities, there is still no withdrawal of special police forces and mayors there," he said. Responding to allegations by Vjosa Osmani, president of the so-called Kosovo, who has accused Serbia of interfering in elections in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, Vucic said "it is terrifying what those people are talking about". He said Pristina's PM Albin Kurti was not ready for compromise. "I am sure Kurti will not invest a minute of his time nor a drop of his sweat to find a compromise solution." He said Serbia would keep its troops on high alert, rather than in full combat readiness, "because that costs a lot". Vucic also said Serbia was in talks with France about purchasing Rafale combat jets and was seeking to bolster its military further with Western weapons.

 

Petkovic: Kurti should be inspired by Resolution 1244, and not by Prizren League (RTV/Tanjug)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Saturday that, while the Prime Minister of Pristina’s provisional institutions Albin Kurti marking the anniversary of Prizren League, “dreams of Great Albanian dreams”, Serbs remember that UNSCR 1244 was passed on this day. “Resolution 1244, which was also adopted on this day, is a binding international legal document concerning Kosovo and Metohija and, if he is already a lover of anniversaries and history, Kurti should not return to the ancient past, but the inspiration and basis for political action should be sought in that document of the UN Security Council,” Petkovic pointed out in the announcement. He stated that there is no Serb who would not remind Albin Kurti that Prizren, long before today, 145 years ago, a group of Ottoman loyalists gathered in Prizren to found the Prizren League, was the capital of the Serbian emperors. Petkovic states that when Kurti announces that he will follow the “philosophy of the Prizren League”, it means “that he will follow the ideology that, among other things, ultimately led to the fact that Serbian is almost no longer spoken in the Serbian imperial city”. He also points out that Kurti, referring to the “philosophy of the Prizren League”, also refers to its anti-Serbian and anti-Slavic character, and “tries to provide a historical alibi for its today’s aggressive chauvinistic policy”. “Although his mouth is full of democracy and civil society, it is impossible for him to recognize any non-Albanian character of Kosovo and Metohija, because to him democracy is only reserved for Albanians, and civil society only when only Albanians live in that society,” said Petkovic.

 

Lajcak: Escobar and I hoped for more results, tensions running high (FoNet)

 

EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said on Facebook that he and US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar continue their efforts to enable and support a sustainable political solution to the crisis in Kosovo but that, despite some positive signals, “tensions are still running high”. Lajcak noted that he and Escobar visited Pristina and Belgrade with the aim to address the tense situation in the north of Kosovo and explore “the potential for a political solution.” “In Kosovo, we met with the top leadership including President Osmani, Prime Minister Kurti and first Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi. Our discussion were long,” wrote Lajcak. “We conveyed our concerns about the situation in the north and emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation. We reiterated what both the EU and the US have asked the Parties to do when calling for a political solution: immediate de-escalation, early elections with the participation of Kosovo Serbs and a return to Dialogue on normalization,” Lajcak stressed. He said they also spoke with Kosovo Albanian opposition leaders, explaining the consequences of the current crisis and the damage it inflicts upon Kosovo’s international reputation. “We asked them for their support to a political solution to defuse the tensions,” said the EU Special Representative. “As no solution can be achieved without involving the affected population, Escobar and I met with both representatives of Serb List and of civil society, to hear from them and explain why it is important that Kosovo Serbs participate in new elections,” said EU diplomat stressed. Sharing his impressions from Belgrade, Lajcak said he and Escobar “had equally long and also not easy discussions with President Vucic”. “We explained to him how he should contribute to a way out of the current crisis and we addressed the complex situation of the Serbs in Kosovo. We particularly highlighted that while all citizens have the right to peacefully protest, violence is never acceptable and there cannot be any impunity,” Lajcak wrote. “Escobar and I have hoped for more as a result of our mission, but unfortunately, despite some positive signals, tensions are still running high. So after a short stopover at the Annual Meeting of the European Council for Foreign Relations in Stockholm, where I had the chance to talk to a number of people from Europe and the US, I’m now back in Brussels to debrief the EU and the Member States on my findings and next steps,” said the EU Special Representative.

 

Escobar: Kurti is our partner, even if a difficult one (Beta/Institute for Politics and the Economy of Southeast Europe)

 

The US special envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said on Sundat that Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti was his country's partner, even if he is "a difficult partner at times." In an interview with the Institute for Politics and the Economy of Southeast Europe, Escobar said Serbia was also a partner to the US. "Mr. Kurti is a partner. Now, he is a difficult partner at times but he is a partner. Kosovo is a partner. Serbia is a partner. So, as we move forward we want to use the good relations that we have with Kosovo and the improving relations that we have with Serbia [...] to find a mutually acceptable and mutually beneficial path so that both of them can be part of the EU together," Escobar said. The US has blamed Kurti for recent tensions in northern Kosovo, and demanded that ethnic Albanian mayors not enter municipal buildings in the northern municipalities of the territory. International representatives asked for new elections in northern Kosovo and demanded guarantees for Serb participation in the wake of the events. Escobar said the US would continue to stay engaged in the Western Balkans. "For the United States government, the Western Balkans still remains an area of enormous opportunities. The defining characteristic of the Western Balkans right now really is strong economic growth and strong economic potential and that the region has the potential to be leaders in IT, shipping, energy, infrastructure, transportation and even tourism. The region has great universities, it’s got a talented workforce, and a young workforce relatively speaking," Escobar said.

 

EU appreciates Albania’s contribution, but ZSO is to be discussed within Belgrade-Pristina dialogue only (Beta/RFE)

 

In a comment on a draft text on the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) which Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama presented to French and German officials, a spokesman for the EU Peter Stano said on Friday that any constructive contribution to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was welcome, but that the dialogue was the only platform where a debate on the ZSO should unfold. “As underlined repeatedly before, a debate on the ZSO and the drafting of the ZSO statute can only develop within the EU-mediated dialogue,” Stano said in a written response carried by Radio Free Europe. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on 7 June that he had submitted a draft document on the formation of the ZSO in Kosovo to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, and that he had notified the President of the European Council Charles Michel, and the US as well. Brussels’ spokesman for the Union’s foreign affairs and security policy also confirmed that the plan was to hold the first expert debate on the ZSO Statute in Brussels, on 5 and 6 June. The meeting was cancelled amidst escalated tensions in the north of Kosovo. Instead, the EU special envoy for the dialogue Miroslav Lajcak visited Pristina and Belgrade on those dates. In the meantime, Stano confirmed the EU’s readiness to hold a debate on the ZSO Statute. “The EU, as the facilitator of the dialogue, is prepared to soon host a session on drafting the Statute and is contacting both parties,” Stano said.

 

An attempt to avert a disaster? (B92/Tanjug/Kosovo Online/RTV)

 

Dusan Janjic commented on the Draft Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which Albanian PM Edi Rama sent to Olaf Scholz and Emmanuel Macron. The founder of the Forum for Ethnic Relations Janjic said that the Draft Statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama sent to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, was an attempt to prevent a disaster for Kosovo Albanians, so that, as he said, they would not fall out of favor with the US, reports RTV. Janjic told Tanjug that it is not usual for a country that is not a participant in the dialogue to do something like that, but that it does not surprise anyone who knows Edi Rama, who he says likes to present himself as a man of initiative. "I think that he is more helping and assisting the international community and the Americans in the desire to prevent a disaster for the Albanians in Kosovo. They could have bad relations with the USA, which would be a disaster for them, and Albin Kurti is going in that direction, because he estimates that there is still time to play. I would not equate Rama's initiative with affection towards Serbia," Janjic said. He added that everyone has the right to a proposal and that, although he has not seen Rama's draft, he believes that there is nothing concrete in it, but, as Janjic says, offering exit strategies for Vjosa Osmani and Albin Kurti. "This is the moment when both sides have an opportunity to get out of the crisis. The political dialogue has died down, and Rama is looking for his opportunity among the Albanians, primarily the opposition, because 'Self-determination' has never been his favorite. And the second is to be a guarantor for the Americans, to defend the idea of the Open Balkans," believes Janjic. He notes that Edi Rama is a great "icebreaker" and that he never works alone, even when he puts on his sneakers. When asked if he sees the future of Kosovo without Kurti, Janjic replies that he sees it, but also that nothing will be resolved when the current Prime Minister of Kosovo is no longer in power. "KFOR must stop acting as police and go back to the barracks. We were on the edge. They know as long as soldiers are exposed there is a risk. If only one Italian soldier had succumbed to injuries, they would have resort to sanctions. The worst was avoided, and that is the militarization of the conflict," emphasizes Janjic.

 

SANU: "Non-paper" published by Bislimi is fake, they invented the entire text and signed our academician (Tanjug/Politika)

 

The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) categorically claims that a supposed "non-paper" related to the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO), which was published on Facebook by the deputy prime minister of so-called Kosovo Besnik Bislimi, is a gross forgery, by which SANU, for the umpteenth time, is getting dragged into "low-level political games". SANU stated that the text attributed to academician Vasilije Krestic is entirely fabricated, since he never dealt with the scientific or political problems of Kosovo and Metohija, nor did he ever write or sign a paper with similar content. It is added that members of the Academy have always publicly declared themselves on the issues of the Kosovo problem, and that there is no, nor has there ever been, need for secret documents. That this is a forgery is also evident in the fact that the SANU letterhead form was taken from a document containing telephone numbers that the Academy has not used for some time, SANU said, adding that the SANU record book has another document, under the number specified in Bislimi's forgery, while "the secret non-paper" does not exist anywhere, which can be checked at the SANU records office. The executive board of SANU noted that the "publication" of this false and tendentious document represents a new, more malicious form of attack compared to what has been attributed to SANU in the statements of certain politicians and some newspaper articles before.

 

KFOR: Criminal groups behind Serb protesters (Beta)

 

KFOR spokesman Andrea Gallieni said on Friday that it was clear that criminal groups were behind Serb protesters in northern Kosovo and that they had attempted to attack KFOR troops. Col. Gallieni said dozens of KFOR soldiers were injured during protests in Zvecan. He said additional KFOR troops had been deployed in northern Kosovo as of 29 May, after four municipal heads, according to him, attempted to enter their offices by force. "KFOR was there to prevent an escalation of the protest. During the protest in Zvecan, soldiers were injured with stones, improvised explosives and firearms. It was clear that the people were trying to protest peacefully, but it was clear that criminal groups were hiding behind them and trying to attack the KFOR troops," the Kossev website quoted Gallieni as saying. According to him, it is the duty of Kosovo police to find and apprehend these groups. "It was clear that the citizens wanted peaceful protests, but organized groups hid behind them to attack KFOR and it is the primary duty of Kosovo police to take the necessary measures to find these groups," Gallieni said.

 

New Serbia Against Violence protest held (Beta)

 

A sixth Serbia Against Violence rally was held in Belgrade on Friday with tens of thousands of participants who established a ring around the government of Serbia. The protesters marched by the building in an uninterrupted column for nearly an hour, shouting “Resign, resign!” and “Vucic, go away!" many equipped with whistles which they blew in protest. Hadzi Nenad Maricic, an actor who addressed the protesters, said that unless the demands were met by the end of next week, the format of the protests would change. The protesters are demanding that members of the Serbian Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media and the state RTS broadcaster's management be dismissed, and that the print media and national broadcasters with programs that promoted violence be shut down. In addition, they want the Interior Minister Bratislav Gasic and the Director of the Serbian Security and Information Agency Aleksandar Vulin to step down. The opposition caucuses United, the People’s Party, the Democratic Party, the Together-We Must, the Green-Left caucus and Do Not Let Belgrade Drown called for the protests, insisting they are not political. Several opposition parties are the technical organizers of the protests that erupted after mass murders in the Belgrade Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school and in the villages of Dubona and Malo Orasje, in the Mladenovac and Smederevo municipalities.

 

Lutovac: Regime’s refusal to meet demands invoking radicalization (Nova/Beta)

 

President of the Democratic Party Zoran Lutovac said on Saturday that the regime's repeated refusal to meet the demands voiced in the Serbia Against Violence protests was “invoking” their radicalization. “Unless they meet the demands very soon, a radicalization will happen”, Lutovac said in an interview with the Nova newspaper. The Democratic Party’s leader said that all of the recent steps taken by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, from his call for talks to economic measures, were designed to either end or soften the protests. “Everything that he has done over the past six weeks was designed to end the protests and anesthetize the public. Instead of meeting the [protesters'] demands for responsibility, we have been offered a fake election to maintain the existing monopolies,” Lutovac said, adding that the protests would not be softened or extinguished if the opposition and citizens remained united, persistent and firm in their demands.

 

Zvecan starts 15th day of protest, Serbs not giving up on their demands (Kosovo online/B92)

 

Residents of Zvecan and North Mitrovica gathered today in front of the municipal building to peacefully protest and show their dissatisfaction with the violent actions of Pristina in the north, the arrival of Kosovo police special forces and the imposition of illegitimate Albanian mayors elected in a vote in which the turnout was only about 3.5 percent and which the Serbs boycotted. The Serb protest has entered the 15th day and they are not giving up on their demands for the Kosovo special police to withdraw from the municipal buildings in Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok, for illegitimate mayors to leave, as well as for the release of Serbs Dusan Obrenovic and Rados Petrovic who were arrested during the protest on 29 May. Heavy rain this morning did not prevent citizens from gathering in large numbers in front of a barricade that KFOR has set up around the municipal building in Zvecan, reports Kosovo-online.com. KFOR soldiers recently removed a part of the barbed wire they had installed around the municipal seat.

 

Botsan-Kharchenko: Resolution 1244 yet to play its role (Novosti)

 

We are disappointed with the attitude that Western countries are trying to throw Resolution 1244 into oblivion, it is still in force, and I believe that it will play its role, said the Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko. Commenting on the crisis in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, he said that America has mechanisms to influence Pristina, but that it obviously does not want that. “The West let Pristina and Kurti go, looking through their fingers. It reacted only after the situation reached a dangerous level, but only in words, not in action. Now the most important thing is for Pristina to fulfill the agreements of 2013 and 2015 and form the ZSO,” said Botsan-Kharchenko in an interview to Novosti. He pointed out that after the events of recent weeks, the implementation of the so-called European proposal seems like an impossible mission. “A just and long-term solution is possible only after a global change. Every crisis must be resolved based on the interests of the people who live there, in this case Serbia, and not based on the interests of some other countries that think they supposedly rule the world,” said the Russian Ambassador. Asked if he thinks that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will change his consistent position and join the punitive measures against Russia, Botsan-Kharchenko said that he sees no indication that Vucic could change his position. “He starts from the opinion of the majority of the Serbian people, as well as from the economic benefit that Serbia has, and we too. We are now hearing the argument that trade exchange is greater with EU members than with Russia. Russia is Serbia’s fourth foreign trade partner, our trade exchange is on the rise,” the Ambassador pointed out. Speaking about the protests that have been taking place in Belgrade for several weeks in a row, he said that there are similarities between them and the color revolutions. “The goal of the color revolutions is to overthrow the leadership of the country. The reason doesn’t matter, every force is used - left, right, those who support Russia, or those who are against it. The tragedy in the Belgrade school was used in a cynical way. This is certainly a blow to President Vucic and the government, who lead a sovereign and independent policy, achieve good economic results in difficult conditions,” Botsan-Kharchenko said.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Dodik: Kosovo is key part of Serbian territory (ATV)

 

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik commented on the situation in Northern Kosovo, stating that Kosovo is a fundamental part of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, and that it belongs to all Serbs, wherever they reside. He added that the RS parliament’s Resolution for the Protection of Serbs in Kosovo is just one part of the support for the Serb people and Serbia. He added: “Our people have to stay there and continue fighting for freedom and survival. We know best how hard that will be, as the RS is still fighting that same fight.” Dodik reminded that the RS parliamnet adopted resolution on Kosovo in order to express support and solidarity with its people living there. “It is only small part of what we should do in order to demonstrate our support to Serbia and to Serb people in Kosovo”, explained Dodik. He stressed that Serbs in the RS know well what it looks like to fight for their state. Dodik stated in his weekly Instagram post that the RS has the intention to survive, develop and get stronger. He also underlined that the RS wants, together with Serbia, to be the guarantor of peace in the Balkans, and to avoid all attempts to push Serbs into a new war. “RS is doing well. It is confident in itself and the idea we have, and that is the fact that all Serbs and people who live here stand behind it”, said Dodik.

 

Dodik comments on joint session of RS and FB&H governments, and joint session of Serbian and RS governments (ATV)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik commented the recently held joint session of the RS and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) governments, stating: “The joint session of the two entity governments shows that there is a focus of solving issues and addressing priorities, but under the constitutional competence, which belong to the two entities. As the RS President, I commend the initiative for joint session of the two governments.” Dodik also announced that in the near future a joint session of the RS and Serbian governments will be held, adding that the RS is open to holding joint sessions with other governments in the region. Attendees of the session stated the session was very constructive and that they made several agreements of how future sessions will be held. Conclusions from the joint session were the ban of export of roundwood, a joint stance regarding the disposal of nuclear waste on Trgovska Gora, realization of the Sarajevo-Belgrade highway, decisions on security and education. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic stated that they came to an agreement within the first minute of the session regarding the ban on the export of round would and that they expect that the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Council of Ministers (B&H CoM) will approve the ban during its next session. He added that there is no need to explain the benefits of the ban, as it is obvious that it will improve domestic economy. Viskovic added that they also came to a quick agreement regarding the disposal of nuclear waste at Trgovska Gora, and that they agreed to have a single, unified vote on the matter and fight the potential disposal of nuclear waste at Trgovska Gora alongside the B&H Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations. FB&H Prime Minister Nermin Niksic confirmed that the first two conclusions were made without objections. Viskovic stated that in the near future a meeting should be organized with Chair of B&H CoM Borjana Kristo to discuss which energy projects should be submitted to the EU, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development or any other potential investors. He added that a common question was the distribution of funds from the B&H Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA B&H), which has over 200 million BAM, regarding highway tolls, adding that a meeting with the Steering Board of ITA B&H was organized and this issue will be solved at the meeting. Following the session Niksic stated that the agenda of the session was mostly made of topics that both governments agree on and that more difficult topics were left for the next meeting, but that it was important that an atmosphere of cooperation and positivity was felt. Viskovic seconded Niksic’s statement about future and more difficult sessions, adding that communication and discussion is the basis for all future development. Viskovic mentioned the discussion on the ‘Southern Interconnection’ and ‘New Eastern Interconnection’ gas pipelines, stating that both sides came to an agreement that it would be best to have as many gas pipelines as possible, even mentioning a possible ‘Northern’ and ‘Western Interconnection’ gas pipeline as it would provide security for both producers and citizens of B&H.

 

Ministers Kosarac and Nesic say joint session of B&H CoM and Croatian government should not discuss cooperation with NATO (Glas Srpske)

 

Glas Srpske announces that a joint session of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) and the Croatian government is scheduled to take place in Zagreb on 20 June and that agenda of the session is still being finalized. According to the daily, the very agenda of the session could be problematic, as indicated by Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of B&H Stasa Kosarac, who said on Friday there is no need that the agenda includes an item about cooperation with NATO. Namely, Minister Kosarac said that the Croatian side has requested that the session discusses a proposal of conclusions on cooperation with NATO. Kosarac stressed RS is against membership in NATO and that there are valid decisions of the RS’ institutions about it. According to him, the RS’ representatives in the joint institutions will never discuss membership in the Alliance, stressing there is no need or justified reason to talk about NATO in Zagreb or any other place. “Our position is clear – NO to membership. Certain form of cooperation with this alliance is acceptable to us, but even that should not be topic of discussion outside B&H, therefore it should not be topic of joint session in Zagreb”, said Kosarac. According to the daily, Minister of Security of B&H Nenad Nesic agreed with Kosarac, saying there are many issues they need to talk about, but NATO is not on that list.

 

Mackey: Danger of war in B&H and Western Balkans is very low (Face TV)

 

Director of Security Policy and Partnerships at the NATO Headquarters James Mackey, asked about the reasons for his visit to B&H, said that he came as part of the delegation of the NATO Committee for Partnership and Cooperative Security with an aim to hold talks with B&H officials on the cooperation between NATO and B&H. He stated that the meetings with B&H Defense Ministry, B&H Security Ministry, B&H Foreign Ministry and representatives of B&H Parliamentary Assembly have a goal to thoroughly investigate how NATO could realize better cooperation with B&H. Asked if NATO has some information on possible instability or malicious external activities in B&H given that NATO has expressed concern over separatist activities and inflammatory rhetoric in B&H, Mackey said: “We need to look at things in context. Things have improved dramatically since the 1990s and wartime events in this region. Many countries in the region have become the EU and NATO member states, and there are also countries such as B&H that are on the EU path. There is no armed conflict now as it was the case in the 1990s, but it is necessary to invest in the future and put focus on ensuring peace and stability in the region so that it could develop further”. He stressed that it is a frequent case to see that inflammatory rhetoric or rhetoric that undermines sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H does not lead to right direction in terms of implementation of stability, security and prosperity for all people in B&H. Asked to comment on the Russian influence in B&H, Mackey assessed that B&H is a sovereign independent country and it has the right to pass own decisions on its future, but there are continuous attempts of Russia to interfere in internal issues of other countries and attempts to destabilize them with an aim to promote Russian interests. He emphasized that he believes that B&H is strong and independent enough to be able to reject such information, because people should consider the facts instead of just accepting propaganda the way it is presented. Asked to assess is there a true danger of war in B&H and in the Western Balkans, Mackey stated that the danger of war is very low, which is the assessment of NATO and its military commanders. However, he added that efforts to preserve peace and stability in the region need to continue every day, which implies joint cooperation in order to strengthen B&H’s capacities. Commenting on the fact that RS is against B&H’s NATO accession but that the RS politicians have backed state-level laws that clearly state B&H’s intention to become a NATO member state, Mackey said that the decision whether or not to become a member of NATO is up to B&H that is independent and democratic country that needs to decide for itself based on its democratic principles and procedures within the country. According to Mackey, NATO looks whether B&H is a viable candidate for the membership and works closely with B&H to make sure that it can meet the membership standards and contribute to the country’s better development in general, regardless of whether the NATO membership is the final goal or not. “We want to be sure that B&H is stable, independent and also strong enough to take care of its own safety. Then we can decide on the membership, the same as B&H can decide on that”, Mackey accentuated. Ask to say whether B&H has activated the Membership Action Plan (MAP) or not, Mackey said that NATO works towards enacting reforms that have been in place for a long time and the MAP is a tool or instrument the alliance has approved for B&H that still stands as an offer for B&H. He reminded that B&H officials have stated that they want to work on reform programs, which is decision that needs to be made by B&H authorities, noting that all the MAP tools and reforms programs remain open for B&H to use them if and when it wants to. Mackey added that reforms that NATO implements through all its programs are the same and they include the strengthening of B&H Armed Forces and capabilities of B&H Security Ministry to fight natural disasters and things such as the rule of law, legal and electoral reforms. Asked to say when B&H could become a NATO member state, Mackey stated that it depends on many factors when B&H will become a NATO member state, stressing that this will happen once the country decides to join NATO and presents its clear democratic decision that it wants the NATO membership, i.e. when B&H is ready to become a NATO members state.  “B&H is not ready to become a NATO member state right now as there are many reforms that need to be met, but we are here to work thoroughly with government representatives in B&H every day, in order to promote these reforms. Sometime in the future B&H might be ready and say that it wants to be a NATO member state, and NATO will then be ready to accept B&H as a country that meets the conditions for membership”, Mackey explained. Asked if there is a shortcut to become a NATO member state, Mackey said that shortcut to become a NATO member is to engage in deep reforms in the field of judiciary, elections, fight against corruption, etc. He assessed that B&H path to the EU would be much faster if B&H authorities implement all the planned reforms, concluding that focus should be on the reform implementation in general - not on the NATO membership itself.

 

Dutch government: EUFOR is prepared to intervene in B&H in case of secession (Nezavisne)

 

Nezavisne novine reports that the Dutch government was answering a group of questions posed by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Dutch parliament on the occasion of 164 Dutch soldiers joining EUFOR Mission. One of the answers stated that in case of an illegal secession of any signatories of the Dayton agreement, EUFOR will in line with the UN mandate, in case the OHR’s actions are not enough, intervene and implement the agreement. The Dutch government also stressed that the international community is discussing several scenarios in case Russia decides not to extend EUFOR Mission’s mandate at UN Security Council session in November this year. However, the Dutch government does not believe there will be blockade. Namely, the Dutch government believes that risk is limited because an operation with UN mandate is more acceptable to Russia that possible alternatives. “In case of a Russian veto, the EU and NATO are developing different scenarios”, stressed the Dutch government.

 

Luhrmann: RS does not get important projects due to secessionist rhetoric of Dodik (BN TV/Klix.ba)

 

In a statement for Klix.ba web site, German Minister of State for Europe Anna Luhrmann stated that RS does not get important projects due to secessionist and destructive rhetoric of RS President Milorad Dodik. Luhrmann underlined that Germany will resume to withhold financial support to infrastructural projects in the RS worth millions and that significant projects have been suspended at level of the EU. “We deem that it is sad because these are projects that would be useful for the RS in long term. Now, it is up to representatives of the RS to create path to projects through convincing distancing from secessionist course”, explained Luhrmann. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic recognizes this stance of Germany as blackmail. “I would never say we do not need assistance, especially from developed countries. However, if this help comes with blackmail, thank you for your help”, stressed Viskovic. Representatives of the opposition in the RS deem that Dodik’s policies lead the RS to isolation and more difficult economic situation. SDS’ Vukota Govedarica emphasized that the main problem is the fact Dodik’s stances are grounded on manipulation. “He is not concerned about damage that will be inflicted to people when he wants to achieve some personal benefit or benefit for his party”, explained Govedarica. Also, Minister Luhrmann stated that Germany remains reliable partner to B&H on its path to the EU, adding that this country needs to start implementing 14 key priorities set by the European Commission through concrete reforms.

 

SDP B&H delegates support extension of mandate of current leader Niksic (O Kanal)

 

Congress of SDP B&H was held in Sarajevo on Saturday. Right at the beginning of the SDP B&H Congress, it was proposed to postpone the election of the new leadership of SDP B&H until next year's local elections. A convincing majority, i.e. more than 90 percent of the delegates present, voted for the postponement of the election of the new SDP B&H leadership. SDP B&H leader Nermin Niksic's mandate has expired, and a new leadership of SDP B&H should have been elected at Saturday’s Congress. However, SDP B&H members from Tuzla proposed that Niksic's mandate be extended, which was supported by 498 SDP B&H delegates out of 528 delegates present at the Congress. Some pointed out that it was not a good decision saying that Niksic, who is also the Prime Minister of the FB&H, has great executive responsibility in the FB&H, and should not perform key party functions because he will not have time for both things. “There will be no amendment to the statute that will increase the number of mandates of president, and even if there is, I have no intention of running for president again in that version,” Niksic said. He added that each member of SDP B&H has the right to his own position and opinion. “This should be reflected at the meetings of the bodies, today at the Congress and not through social networks and the media. Personnel decisions were not mine alone, but I am the president and I take responsibility. No personnel decision was mine alone, except for Irfan Cengic,” Niksic underlined.

 

President denounces use of "Slava Ukraini" salute (HRT)

 

President and Commander-in-chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanovic was in Vrlika on Saturday where he attended a commemoration marking the 30th anniversary of the defense of Veli vrh, the largest infantry battle of the Homeland War in the Cetinje Region.

"Our country was defended by a very small number of people. Croatia defended itself with volunteers, it was defended by those who wanted to fight, who knew how to fight and who could fight; they were people who did not feel sorry for themselves," noted Milanovic. The president said the strategy at the throughout the Homeland War was to protect human lives. "The losses of the Croatian army, including during the liberation of territory, were small, which is the result of the intelligence and organization of those who led the war, including the political leadership," he said. The president also commented on graffiti in Zagreb which likened Milanovic to Russian President Vladimir Putin; presumably for his stance that the war in Ukraine is not a result of an unprovoked attack by Russia but rather a proxy war being fought between NATO and Russia on the territory of Ukraine. Milanovic has also compared the popular "Slava Ukraini" or "Glory to Ukraine" salute to other fascist salutes used in the Second World War. "Those who fought under that salute were inhuman, the Ustasha were gentlemen compared to them. These were callous killers who were much more efficient killers than the Ustasha. I am the President of Croatia, I know how many of us - first and foremost President Franjo Tudjman - were disciplined and warned and harassed for using slogans that had been contaminated due to collaboration with the Nazis. It's the same thing with "Glory to Ukraine". Milanovic said those behind the graffiti in the nation's capital were "vandals" with no regard for public property.

 

Europe Now Movement scores narrow victory in Montenegro’s election (N1)

 

According to preliminary results, the Europe Now Movement (PES) won around 26% of votes or 24 seats in the 81-seat Montenegrin parliament in the early elections held on Sunday, and by all accounts, the party will be the one to form the new Montenegrin government. Previous projections showed that PES could win 30% of votes. The elections were marked by a record low turnout of around 55% and excellent results of minority parties. The Europe Now Movement is a political party formed from the first government that was formed after the August 2020 parliamentary election and its leaders are former ministers in the government of former Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic, Milojko Spajic and Jakov Milatovic. In early April, Milatovic was elected Montenegro’s president, defeating in the second round of the election then President Milo Djukanovic. Djukanovic’s Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) won 22% of votes or 22 seats even though after more than three decades its slate did not include Djukanovic and its long-time associates. After he was defeated in the presidential election in April, Djukanovic stepped down as DPS leader. The coalition of the United Reform Action (URA) and the Democratic Montenegro, led by incumbent Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and former parliament speaker Aleksa Becic respectively, won 13% of votes or 11 parliamentary seats. The coalition formed after the break-up of Democratic Front, made up of the New Serbian Democracy of Andrija Mandic and the Democratic People’s Party of Milan Knezevic, won 15% of votes or 14 seats, while the third member of the now defunct Democratic Front, Nebojsa Milojevic’s Movement for Change, did not cross the election threshold. As expected, the only party of Montenegrin Croats, the Croatian Civic Initiative (HGI), managed to cross the preferred threshold of 0.3% of valid ballots and win one seat. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic congratulated HGI leader Adrijan Vuksanovic on being elected to the Montenegrin parliament. The two ethnic Albanian parties, too, won one seat each, but the number could rise to three. The biggest surprise of the elections is the Bosniak Party, which could have six seats in the future parliament as against two in the current parliament. The final number of seats won in Sunday’s polls will be known after all ballots are counted as the votes of those who did not cross the election threshold will be distributed among the election winners. The early parliamentary election in Montenegro was monitored by around 2,000 domestic and foreign observers who did not report any irregularities that could affect the election outcome. Fifteen parties and coalitions ran in the elections.

 

Parliamentary elections in Montenegro: A race without a real winner, the parties only know with whom they will not form coalitions (CdM/BBC)

 

With a drastically lower turnout than in all recent elections, the European Movement has now won the most votes, but the more difficult task of forming a majority is yet to come. Voters in Montenegro asked for answers and stability in the parliamentary elections, and they got - questions and dilemmas, writes the BBC in Serbian. The first elections in which the long-time president and prime minister Milo Djukanovic did not participate from any position brought a lower turnout than in all recent elections, but no less complexity of politics in a country that has been independent since 2006. The Europe Now Movement (PES), the party that in the last ten months won the positions of the President of Montenegro and the mayor of Podgorica, received the most votes in the parliamentary elections as well - about 26 percent. "It has never happened that an extra-parliamentary party, which has been in existence for ten months, has defeated those who usurped resources," said the leader of the Movement, Milojko Spajic, on election night. However, it will not be easy for PES to find partners to form a new government. The leaders of the remaining three largest groups in the future assembly - the Democratic Party of Socialists, the coalition for the future of Montenegro and the coalition Hrabro se broji - said in almost identical words that without them there would be no parliamentary majority. The election night brought more uncertainty than expected, so it lasted longer than usual, and there was no regular celebration on the streets of Podgorica - driving in cars with Montenegrin or Serbian flags, depending on the results. The Montenegrin Parliament has 81 deputies, of which 41 votes are needed for a majority and the election of the government. The previous parliamentary elections were held in August 2020, and then the Democratic Party of Socialists lost power, while the broad coalition of the Democratic Front, Ura and the Democrats celebrated.

 

Sour smiles, steel and re-education

A toast was made at the end of the election night at the headquarters of the Europe Now Movement, but the smiles were not as wide as expected. The celebratory fireworks echoed through the streets of Podgorica more as a warning that the young party still has a serious challenge of negotiating power. For a long time, there was silence in the headquarters of the Democratic Party of Socialists - only the publication of the preliminary results meant that Montenegrin patriotic songs were heard from the loudspeakers. The young successor of Milo Djukanovic described his own party as "stronger than steel", avoiding naming at least one party with which he would like to cooperate in a possible future government. "We who started the European journey will introduce the country to the European Union. The prime minister can be from the composition of this coalition", said a visibly satisfied Danijel Zivkovic, noting that the DPS did not experience "the fate of the SPS in Serbia and the drop to 10 percent". The Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) was the leading party in Serbia in the nineties of the 20th century, when it was led by Slobodan Milosevic, but with the fall from power in 2000, it lost some of its influence, although it became an important member of governments again in 2008. One of the leaders of the coalition For the Future of Montenegro, Milan Knezevic, addressed the voters with a message about necessity. "No one has the monopoly to form a government without serious compromises and if someone wants to go with the Democratic Party of Socialists and ostracize the Serb people, then that leads to serious instability. "Our policy is clear, we are ready to put a moratorium on all the issues that divide us, but we are not ready to be re-educated by anyone," Knezevic said. Current Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic was not dissatisfied with the result achieved by his coalition. "We do not see a stable government in which we do not participate. For us, only people who have connections with organized crime and corruption are not acceptable," said Abazovic.

 

What combinations are possible to form the government?

Before the election, this was the option that would have been the safest option in the bookies. However, already on election night, the leader of the strongest list, Milojko Spajic, ruled out the possibility of cooperation with the Ura movement of former Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic. Although this option would be feasible according to the mandate numbers, Spajic does not want to agree to it now, disappointed by being linked to Do Kwon, the arrested Korean king of cryptocurrencies.

 

Movement Europe now, Democrats, SNP-Demos, minority parties

In such a government, every parliamentary mandate would be important - if it could be formed at all, because the SNP-Demos is on the verge of the census. However, the formation of such a coalition would require the termination of an already existing one: “Bravely Counting” would have to cease to exist, because Ura Dritan Abazovic is an unacceptable partner for PES. The leader of the Democrats, Aleksa Becic, is facing the difficult task of considering whether to remain faithful to his current partner, with whom he already has a long-term relationship that ranged from supposedly solid cooperation to public quarrels and accusations.

 

Movement Europe now, For the future of Montenegro, minority party

Differences on some of the key foreign policy issues - membership of Montenegro in NATO, alignment of foreign policy with the EU, recognition of Kosovo - could be insurmountable for the formation of such a government. The Coalition for the Future of Montenegro, the successor of the former Democratic Front, and the Movement Europe now have fundamental differences on important topics, so concluding this pact is significantly more difficult. "There you would have too many ideologically different partners, who together would not be able to pull the story that concerns the European path of Montenegro," says Marko Pejovic, program director of the Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development, for the BBC in Serbian.

 

Movement Europe Now, Democratic Party of Socialists, along with minority parties

According to the number of votes and their structure, this would be the most stable and simplest combination for the formation of the new government of Montenegro. Nevertheless, the leader of PES did not support this option on election night, but the question is whether he will be able to persist in this firm position. DPS has changed its leadership in the last month, so potential partners of this party are still waiting to see how it will develop in the future.

 

Democratic Party of Socialists, Counting Bravely, minority parties

A coalition of bitter enemies does not seem likely, but we should not forget that the previous government of Dritan Abazovic was voted in with the support of DPS. However, it was the DPS that overthrew that government, so it is hard to believe that such a combination could be agreed upon.

 

Minority support of the government of the Movement of Europe now

Montenegro entered these elections with the minority government of Dritan Abazovic, which was denied the external support of the DPS, and after the elections it could emerge with a minority government with the external support of the DPS. In that case, Milojko Spajic's cabinet would have a stable number of deputies in the assembly, but the question is whether the party led by Milo Dkukanovic until recently would be satisfied with supporting him without ministerial positions.

 

What broke the election?

The pre-election campaign looked like an auction with promises of ever-increasing minimum wages, pensions, shorter and fewer working days. They did not talk about national topics, issues of religious communities, relations with neighbors. The seemingly calmer campaign attracted far fewer voters. "It seems to me that people did not accept the socio-economic topics and promises this time, it seems to me that it seemed to them that it was without foundation. The consequence of that is the fact that Europe and some other parties have achieved a weaker result than they expected," says analyst Marko Pejovic. Kenneth Morrison, a professor at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, an expert on the politics and history of Southeast European countries, says that the trademark of the Europe Movement could now suffer. "Movement Europe Now are now the winners of this election, but it is something of a Pyrrhic victory, because they will have to trade and compromise if they want to govern, and that could nullify the effect of their platform." Morrison cites another important factor behind PES's weaker-than-expected performance. "I think the Do Kwon affair hurt PES, they certainly lost momentum in the weeks leading up to the election." In the last week of the election campaign, members of the technical government of Dritan Abazovic connected the leader of PES Milojko Spajic with Do Kwon, the Korean king of crypto currencies who was previously arrested in Montenegro. "I don't think this is an affair related to Do Kwon, but a pronounced negative campaign against us. The level of knowledge about the economy and finances in Montenegro is not particularly high, so it is easy to spread such false stories", Milojko Spajic said on election night.

 

Elections where only cards were dealt - the game is just beginning

When the election night ended, the participants of the race did not have peaceful dreams - political combinatorics is actually just beginning. "Essentially, during the election night, only the numbers were determined, i.e. who has what." When the negotiations start after the election, that's when it could get interesting," says Kenneth Morrison. This summer, politicians in Montenegro will not have much rest, agrees Marko Pejovic, program director of the Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development. "The speeches of the leaders and holders of electoral lists tell us that the process of forming a new government will be very, very difficult. What seems certain is that we will not have a government until the legal term for its formation expires, and that will be one of the most difficult phases on the Montenegrin political scene." The neighbors of Montenegro will also need patience. Until the contours of the future government in Podgorica are drawn up, possible changes in the foreign policy course of Montenegro will have to wait. "It is obvious that with the entry of the list for the Future of Montenegro into the coalition, the government would gain members who are openly against the NATO alliance and actively lobbied against the country's membership in it. "A coalition with the DPS, although it is unlikely that it could be formed, would obviously be more focused on European integration," Morrison believes. In addition to the fact that in the 17 years of independence, some elections in Montenegro were voted in 13 years, Pejovic believes that a new stage could follow very quickly. "It seems to me that we are now much closer to new elections in September than to the formation of a stable government."

 

Kovachevski: No turns into Yes, certain that VMRO-DPMNE will join just cause for European future (MIA)

 

We now have a new momentum on the political scene in the country and new rhetoric that differs from what we heard before. No has turned into Yes, the acceptance of the constitutional changes by VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski and the change of his stance benefits the country and I welcome this, said Prime Minister and SDSM leader Dimitar Kovachevski on Sunday. "SDSM is at the head of the concept for European Macedonia and is working on the realization of another strategic national objective that has been set since our independence - EU membership by 2030. We have a historic opportunity and strong support from our strategic partners the EU and US, and now is the time for the final step before resuming our European path. We extended our hand to the opposition for dialogue and a chance to join us. We now have a new momentum on the political scene in the country and new rhetoric that differs from what we heard over the past year," Kovachevski told a party debate in Kavadarci. He said Mickoski accepted the constitutional revision at their meeting earlier in the week. "He clearly said it at the press conference after the meeting and in a statement on the next day. The acceptance of the constitutional revision came as a shock to VMRO-DPMNE, maybe because it happened suddenly. I understand this," said Kovachevski. Over the past year, he added, we have seen protests in front of the Parliament, accusations of Bulgarization, assimilation etc. "They burned the agreement in the Parliament, they said they defended the country, MPs signed notary statements pledging they would not support the constitutional amendments, they wore 'No' t-shirts," said Kovachevski. One press conference invalidated all that rejection, the PM said, making the inclusion of part of the Bulgarian people in the Constitution not a problem. "One statement made the constitutional changes acceptable, they consented to being part of a government with SDSM and other parties. No turned into Yes, because Yes is always stronger than No," said Kovachevski. The SDSM leader said he was certain along the way that VMRO-DPMNE would listen to the right voice and join the just cause "in securing the European future for our current and future generations". "This decision is for all citizens getting up and going to work each and every day to make an honest living and by paying taxes, for all the mothers whose children have left to make a living in the EU. This decision is made so that our children stay here, it is made for a higher birth-rate," said Kovachevski. He added that all political stakeholders must use this opportunity and secure the country's European future. "We have a chance that should not be missed. We have been waiting many years for this chance. We will not get a better deal than this. Therefore, let's make the decision we will all be proud of together," underlined Kovachevski.

 

Kovachevski: Working groups the right format for SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE to agree on details (MIA)

 

The working groups to resume the discussions on the constitutional amendments are the right format for SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE to agree on the details because each proposal has its own specifics that have to be implemented and impact the country's European integration, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on Saturday. PM Kovachevski said VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski committed himself after their meeting earlier this week "to take part in the process of passing the required decisions for the country's European integration". "I shared his position and commitment with the SDSM central and executive boards but also our international partners who followed that press conference, at which all demands that VMRO-DPMNE had were practically accepted by all political stakeholders in the country. The Alliance of Albanians has also given VMRO-DPMNE a push. I would not comment statements given at rallies or similar events, since they always have a rather different purpose," said Kovachevski over VMRO-DPMNE's position that working groups would be needless if SDSM failed to agree on the implementation of the constitutional changes when North Macedonia joined the EU. The PM noted it would be bad if the opposition leader retracted from the undertaken commitment for the process' completion, as agreed at their meeting. "I believe that if he has decided to retract everything, he said at the press conference, which is that he accepts the constitutional amendments and incorporation of parts of other nations, including part of the Bulgarian people, in the Constitution Preamble, that he accepts to join a government together with SDSM and other coalition partners, then he should say this at an official meeting," said Kovachevski. He recalled that DUI has also accepted to not be part of the government that included VMRO-DPMNE, adding that all details should be agreed by working groups "if everything that was said was uttered with sincerity". When asked if another leaders' meeting is possible, the PM briefly answered, "we'll see". "I think they should think a little bit longer because it came to VMRO-DPMNE as a shock. After a year of protests, saying you are defending the country, saying you will never accept the constitutional amendments, suddenly your leader says at a press conference that the constitutional revision is acceptable," said Kovachevski. Regarding the formation of a 'caretaker government' after the 'broad government' ahead of next year's parliamentary elections, he said it would be better for VMRO-DPMNE not to have a caretaker government if they joined the government now. "We will all vote to open the Constitution and then form a government in which SDSM will transfer 50 percent of its departments to VMRO-DPMNE. This government will complete the process of constitutional changes, finish the screening process, do the second intergovernmental conference, open the chapters, even close 1-2 chapters of the Fundamentals cluster, and then hold elections. VMRO-DPMNE will not be in opposition, and this is better for them rather than having a caretaker government. However, if the law says a caretaker government must be composed, then we will do that. Laws must be respected," said Kovachevski. The SDSM central board decided late Friday to set up a working group, headed by party's secretary-general Mile Zechevikj, to resume the talks with VMRO-DPMNE and all other parliamentary political parties over the next specific steps around the constitutional changes. Earlier VMRO-DPMNE said that the establishment of such a working group made sense only if SDSM said which of the two proposals that VMRO-DPMNE made was acceptable to them - a transitional government without DUI and constitutional changes that would enter into force on the day the country joined the EU, or early elections this fall. "Otherwise, there is no need for further talks and time-wasting," VMRO-DPMNE MP Antonijo Miloshoski told a press conference.

 

Osmani: DUI to support government without party being part of it on day constitutional amendments enter into force (MIA)

 

DUI confirmed late Saturday it accepted the prerequisites leading to the constitutional revision and the EU accession negotiations. DUI spokesperson Bujar Osmani said after the presidency session they analyzed the meeting of Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski with VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski, with the latter saying he would accept a broad government without DUI in it, a demand DUI swiftly accepted. "First, this is due to the historic moment that our country is facing - fast EU membership - primarily resulting from the geopolitical developments related to the war in Ukraine, the Union's awareness regarding the Western Balkans, and the people's need for a better living standard and keeping them in the country. The central presidency reaffirmed the initial decision we presented right after the meeting of the party leaders - DUI is prepared to leave the government on the day the constitutional amendments enter into force, if this is the prerequisite for the opposition to support the revision," said Osmani. DUI has requested that another process takes place in parallel. "This is the start of the vetting process and investigation of all political parties, starting from the leaders and down to the last party representative, including MPs and other officials, so that we put an end to this abuse of the fight against corruption for partisan purposes. We believe this process is very important in creating an environment of trust," added Osmani.

 

Deputy PM: Netherlands to have own expert in working group on rule of law roadmap (MIA)

 

Following the criticism of Dutch Ambassador Dirk Jan Kop over corruption and judiciary practices in the country, Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj says the Netherlands will send its own expert in the working group that drafts the rule of law roadmap. "We have invited the Netherlands to nominate its own expert in the working group that is drafting the rule of law roadmap, and they accepted. We expect this roadmap to be drafted under the supervision of the Netherlands, in order for them to be confident that the Government has taken the right steps in the period leading up to the membership, so that we make essential changes in all fields," Deputy PM Marichikj tells MIA on the possibility of Netherlands blocking the accession negotiations if the fight against corruption produced no results. He adds that communication with the Netherlands has been direct and open, expecting the dialogue to intensify in the coming period. "It is important that not only the Netherlands but also the entire European Union is assured that we are taking the right steps. Fight against corruption and the rule of law is a long-term process and the Netherlands and EU in general will always have an ally in the government on the issue, both in the day-to-day fight against corruption and in the long-term measures and systemic decisions that must be adopted," says Marichikj.

 

Albanian Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff of AF meet head of the US National Guard Bureau (Radio Tirana)

 

Albanian Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, received on Friday in a meeting the head of the US National Guard Office, General Daniel R. Hokanson. Peleshi stated that the support of the strategic ally, the USA, will continue to be unsparing and unconditional for the improvement of capacities in the face of the challenges of the time". He emphasized that Albania will continue to be a reliable partner. Earlier, Chief of Staff of Albanian Armed Forces, Gen. Brig. Kingji also received General Hokanson of the US National Guard Bureau. Kingji said the role of Albania in the Alliance was evaluated, and the increase of cooperation in the field of education was appreciated during the meeting.

 

Peleshi: Albania-Kosovo, joint training in the field of aviation (Radio Tirana)

 

Military cooperation between Albania and Kosovo has also been extended to the field of aviation. The Minister of Defense, Niko Peleshi, shared on Saturday on social networks photos from the joint training in the field of aviation. "The pilots of the Aviation unit of the Kosovo Security Force are being trained with their colleagues at the Farka Base for the theoretical and practical refresher of flying with the AB-206 helicopter, in order to maintain their flying skills. Part of the training is also performing Visual Flights during the day and at night”, Peleshi writes.

 

President visits Kosovo on 145th Anniversary of Prizren League (ADN)

 

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, visited Prizren this Saturday on the 145th anniversary of the Foundation of the League of Prizren. In his speech, the head of state said that the history of Albanian nation is rich with moments that fill with pride, for what Albanians are and the values they represent. President Begaj also said that the Albanian League of Prizren is one of the extraordinary events, where visionary patriots united to create a pan-Albanian resistance, against oppression and rule. "The history of our ancient nation is rich with moments that fill us with pride, for what we Albanians are and the values we represent. The Albanian League of Prizren is one of the extraordinary events, where visionary patriots united to create a pan-Albanian center against oppression and rule. It was this League that worked with all its might to affirm our nation and to oppose the fragmentation of Albanian ethnic lands. It was this agreement that designed the creation of a free and independent Albanian state", he said. Next, Begaj said that we have a responsibility to respect and protect the heritage. "Today, as 145 years have passed since the founding of the League of Prizren, we proudly honour the glorious activity of those who dreamed and worked for our Albanian nation. But feelings of pride are not enough, we have the responsibility to respect and protect the heritage that these historical figures left us as a legacy", he further expressed.