LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic: I didn't agree with WB leaders about more effective application of sanctions against Russia (RTV/Tanjug)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that at yesterday's informal meeting of the leaders of the Western Balkan countries, he did not agree with the part of their declaration that talks about "somewhat more effective application of sanctions against Russia". "I can't quote, but there's a whole paragraph about it and there was another one, I talked about it, but I'll read it to you precisely - but that was the conversation between us and everyone else, how it goes in circles, the first version, then the intermediate version, then the third version, etc. It is not simple and not always easy, but you are looking at how much you can protect the interests of your country. That's what's important," said the President in an address to the media after today's meeting with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky. The President said that a "hot fall" is ahead and that the situation in Ukraine is not easy and simple, that nothing is going fast and will not be solved quickly and, "there are still many problems ahead". He commented on the presence of Albin Kurti, stating that there's no problem with Albin Kurti being present in Athens. "There were no flags, only people's names. Greece was very fair. Today, I will have a conversation with Greek friends. We had a brief discussion with Greek officials, and I believe the conversation with Mitsotakis will be good. He confirmed that there will be no change in the stance regarding the recognition of Kosovo," Vucic said. He added that he is convinced the same will be true for Ukraine.

 

Vucic with Zelensky: Ukraine remains determined not to recognize Kosovo (N1)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met Tuesday in Athens with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and said they had “a good and open talk on all issues of importance to both Serbia and Ukraine, as well as to the entire region and world”. “We addressed the developments in Ukraine and Kosovo and Metohija, and I once again emphasized that Serbia honors Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which we have been saying, clearly and unequivocally, since the beginning of the conflict,” Vucic wrote on Instagram. Following his meeting with Zelenskyy the Serbian President told a media conference that the Ukrainian President inquired about the situation in Serbia and about the opinion of the people in Serbia. “I confirmed the fact that Serbia supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and that this will not change, unlike some who want to honor the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but not that of Serbia,” said Vucic. He added that he explained to Zelensky the situation in Kosovo. “I don’t think there will be any changes in Ukraine’s position regarding Serbia and the honoring of our territorial integrity, and we have backed Ukraine on its European path,” said Vucic. The Serbian President said they also discussed modalities of future cooperation. “Ukraine has never done anything against Serbia, nor have we ever done anything against Ukraine. We also tried not to be the loudest in accusing others, our job is to protect our interests,” said Vucic, adding that a joint declaration was adopted on Monday evening in Athens and that Serbia disagreed on two issues, one of which were sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy descried his meeting with Vucic as “open, honest, and fruitful”. “An open, honest, and fruitful meeting with the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. Good conversation on respect for the UN Charter and the inviolability of borders. On our nations’ shared future in the common European home. On developing our relations, that is in our mutual interest,” Zelenskyy wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

 

Vucic meets with Von der Leyen in Athens (Beta)

 

After a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Serbian reporters that he would also "try to talk with" Zelensky about the statement by the chairperson of the Ukrainian parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, that Kyiv should recognize Kosovo, saying that it would be a serious blow to Serbia. "We respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, we hope that Ukraine will respect Serbia's territorial integrity, too. Did Russia violate international law by attacking Ukraine? Obviously. But where imposing sanctions and accusations of who committed war crimes ad hominem are concerned, I want no part of that, until I see that the country is in a terribly difficult situation," he added. Vucic further said that he had talked with the European Commission president about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the attitude toward Russia, construction of the Belgrade-Nis high-speed railway, and strategic cooperation between Serbia and the EU in the area of energy and green energy. He also criticized the selection of participants in an informal dinner on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of adoption of the Thessaloniki Declaration, saying it was "some strange kind of format" and, "I do not understand how it was made." "Five countries from the Western Balkans have been invited, but how, some have not been invited for strange reasons. And Pristina has been invited, even though Athens does not recognize Kosovo, and Albin Kurti will even hold a bilateral meeting with the Greek Prime Minister. Croats, Romanians, Bulgarians have been invited but, interestingly enough, Hungarians have not," said Vucic.

 

Good and open conversation: Vucic after his meeting with Zelensky (RTS)

 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in Athens this morning with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, after which he posted on Instagram, where he stated that the conversation was good and open. "A good and open conversation with President Zelensky on all important issues, both for Serbia and Ukraine, as well as for the entire region and the world. We referred to the events in Ukraine and Kosovo, and I once again pointed out that Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which we have been saying clearly and unequivocally since the beginning of the conflict," Vucic wrote.

 

International community should react to decisions of illegitimate mayors in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Novosti)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic stated today that illegal moves by the fake mayor of North Mitrovica Erden Atic lead to new raising of tensions and a crisis on the ground and do not go towards de-escalation, but direct escalation. “The fake and illegal mayor Erden Atic, acting on a direct order of Albin Kurti, today sent his representatives to the building housing premises of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Office of the Directorate of the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, Administrative District of Kosovska Mitrovica and the Centre for Social Work of Vucitrn, in the neighbourhood of Bosnjacka Mahala, in Kosovska Mitrovica and gave them an ultimatum to move out within three days. This directly threatens the livelihood and the right to work of around 40 employees who work in this building and provide services to Serbs, Albanians, Bosniaks, Gorani, Roma etc. The institutions located in this building, such as the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund, provide services in the field of pension and disability insurance to tens of thousands of users of all nationalities, whereas as many as 120 socially endangered families depend on the work of the department of the Centre for Social Work. Such unilateral and illegal moves by the fake mayor, who was not voted for either by Serbs or Albanians, lead to new raising of tensions and a crisis on the ground and do not go towards de-escalation, but direct escalation”, reads the statement by Petkovic.

 

Serb List: Kurti’s men again enter building housing Office for Kosovo and Metohija (N1)

 

The Serb List said “the representatives of Kurti’s illegitimate mayor again entered the building” that houses Serbian state institutions in the Bosnjacka Mahala area in Kosovska Mitrovica and told the employees that they have to vacate their workplaces and move out of the building within three days. Located in this building are the offices of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Pension and Disability Insurance Fund Directorate, Kosovska Mitrovica Administrative District and Vucitrn Social Welfare Center. “At the international community’s call for the illegitimate mayors to work from alternative locations they went a step further and also want to confiscate our offices and, in this process, they are displaying their arrogance and demonstrating force by failing to honor their own laws, so they present documents in Albanian language,” said the Serb List. It asked the international community representatives if this is a way to honor their call for “the illegitimate mayors to only do administrative work and not take political decisions aimed against the people in our municipalities?”

 

Shedding light on kidnappings, murders of journalists in Kosovo and Metohija (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)

 

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija reminded that yesterday marks the 25th anniversary of the kidnapping of Radio Pristina journalists Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic, on the Orahovac-Velika Hoca road, while they were on an assignment reporting on the kidnapped monks from the monastery of Sveti Vraci in Zociste. The announcement states that their kidnappers have not been identified and punished to this day, and the families of the kidnapped journalists, colleagues and the entire public have been waiting for truth and justice for 25 years, which represents another stain on the face of those who are supposed to take care of justice and the rule of law in the province. Djuro Slavuj and Ranko Perenic were kidnapped because they were doing their job, but above all because they are Serbs, and their kidnapping was supposed to show the remaining Serbs in Orahovac, but also throughout Kosovo and Metohija, what fate awaits the Serb people in the province. Today is an opportunity to remind that other kidnappings and murders of journalists in Kosovo and Metohija have not been solved either – Ljubomir Knezevic, a journalist of Pristina "Jedinstvo" and a correspondent for "Politika", was kidnapped on 6 May 1999 near Vucitrn, while Aleksandar Simovic, a journalist and translator, disappeared on 21 August 1999 in Pristina. Marjan Melonasi, a journalist from the Serbian newsroom of Radio Kosovo, disappeared on 9 September 2000 in Pristina, Momir Stokuca, a photojournalist, was killed on 21 September 1999 in his family home in the centre of Pristina, while Mile Buljevic, a security guard in TV Pristina, was kidnapped in June 1999 in front of the Refugee Centre in Pristina.

 

Vucevic to Osmani: Despite malicious media reporting, Serbia reliable partner to neighbors (Tanjug)

 

In response to Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani's request for clarification of his previous statement saying North Macedonia was wrong to recognize Kosovo's independence, Serbia's Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said that "despite all the malicious and ill-founded media reporting, Serbia acts as a responsible, reliable and predictable partner to all our neighbors."

"Our support for the territorial integrity of all UN member states is unconditional. Yet we cannot praise anyone's disrespect for our own territorial integrity. Recent events have proven our warnings that Kosovo UDI is not a sui generis case and that it will bounce back sooner or later. Nobody in Serbia is gloating about that, just stating the facts," Vucevic wrote on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Vucevic had also said "there is international support for the formation of Greater Albania". "They think they are in the NATO pact and it has solved their problems. That is both Montenegro's and North Macedonia's mantra. Since they became members of this collective security alliance, the NATO, they think they have solved all their problems and that nothing can happen to them," Vucevic said.

 

Opposition supports general elections, differences arrive over Belgrade’s polls (Beta)

 

An MP of the Green-Left Front Radomir Lazovic said on Monday that elections on all levels would be a way out of the crisis, but that they had to be separate, and that Belgrade polls should take place urgently. “The Green-Left Front, formerly the Don’t Let Belgrade Drown, supports the idea that different levels of elections should be separated in order to express the true will of citizens. Local elections will take place next spring anyway, and it does not depend on Vucic’s will, but elections in Belgrade have to be organized promptly, because Aleksandar Sapic’s city government is catastrophic, and, as Vucic himself put it, it has no legitimacy either,” Lazovic told Beta. The president of the Free Citizens’ Movement Pavle Grbovic said that he hoped that, aside from the regular local and the “expected” parliamentary elections, early elections in Belgrade should take place, too, “which the opposition will win.” Grbovic said in a comment for Beta that local and parliamentary elections had better be separated, too, but “by all accounts, they won’t be.” The president of the New Democratic Party of Serbia Milos Jovanovic said that general elections should be held, but not under the existing conditions. Serbia urgently needs elections, an early vote in Belgrade, early parliamentary and regular local and provincial elections, too, but when asked if the Belgrade vote should be held separately, Jovanovic said he would “prefer” all the elections to take place simultaneously.

 

Milivojevic: Opposition to boycott spring vote unless Belgrade elections come first (Beta)

 

Political analyst Cvijetin Milivojevic said on Monday that the opposition should boycott local and parliamentary elections expected to take place next spring, unless Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic fulfilled a promise he had given earlier that Belgrade should have a vote by the end of the year. “The opposition must insist that elections in Belgrade should be held before the others. The opposition should request a vote in Belgrade, which Vucic promised during an 12 April meeting with Djilas. The polls in Belgrade will be a test for the spring elections,” Milivojevic said to Beta. His colleague Boban Stojanovic cautioned that a decision to hold local and parliamentary elections together was made to kill local democracy and make it virtually non-existent. “Vucic plans to run a national campaign revolving around his name, in a bid to hide behind it the party and unpopular individuals in towns and municipalities,” Stojanovic said in a comment for Beta. When asked what the opposition should do about Vucic’s announcement that the elections in Serbia would be merged, Stojanovic said that the opposition knew that would take place, and that it should get ready to try to win some major cities.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Court of B&H returns indictment of Prosecutor’s Office of B&H against Dodik and Lukic for revision (ATV/FTV/Avaz)

 

The Court of B&H sent the indictment of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H against the President of the RS Milorad Dodik and Director of the Official Gazette of the RS Milos Lukic for a revision. The Court of B&H confirmed that the indictment was returned for altering, because the three prosecutors who worked on it failed to provide details describing the criminal offense. Avaz learns that the indictment was returned because it was filled with omissions in regard to Article 227 paragraph 1c) of B&H Criminal Code. Court’s explanation reads that “the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H needs to provide the base of the submitted evidence- results of the investigation, for which of alternatively acts you suspect the prime suspect (Dodik) and to clearly describe it in factual description”. The Pre-Trial Judge noted that the indictment was returned because three prosecutors failed to describe in details what crime Dodik and Lukic have committed.

 

Chief Prosecutor Kajganic files report against unnamed prosecutors and judges for leaking information (AJB)

 

Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H Milanko Kajganic submitted to the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H a report against unnamed prosecutors and judges due to the unauthorized publication of the letter of the Court of B&H in connection with the indictment against RS President Milorad Dodik and Acting Director of the RS Official Gazette Milos Lukic. The indictment was issued for failure to respect decisions of the High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt in the RS. Kajganic expressed discontent with leakage of information about the indictment, after media published errors from the indictment. The Prosecutor’s Office of B&H issued a statement, which reads: “The application refers to the submission and enabling of an unauthorized person to view the content of the judge's letter for the preliminary hearing, i.e. the failure to take the necessary measures in order to protect the integrity of the criminal file and the supervision of persons who have legal access to court and prosecutorial files, so that as a result of the aforementioned action/failure parts of the aforementioned document were published in the media, which undermined the integrity of the proceedings in the case, as well as the credibility of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H and the Court of B&H.”

 

Dodik: Indictment was made in rush (ATV/Nova BH/BHT1)

 

Commenting on the decision of the Court of B&H to return the indictment for altering, RS President Milorad Dodik said that the indictment has been made in a rush, and that this is why it has been returned for revision. Dodik noted that most prosecutors of the Prosecutor's Office of B&H say they refused to work on that indictment and that speaks volumes for how powerful a package it is. “Was that enough of a reason for an irresponsible prosecutor who hastily and irresponsibly presented or filed an indictment against Milorad Dodik and Milos Lukic, is that not enough for someone to say, wait, do you have any responsibilities here?”, wondered Dodik. Dodik himself admitted that he was affected by the indictment but that he ignores it. Dodik was quoted as saying: “Be careful not to break B&H with this story about the court”. Dodik stated that he heard in the morning on Monday that someone returned the indictment. Dodik said that he does not care and he did not even read the reason for that. Dodik again accused the US Ambassador to B&H, the UK Ambassador to B&H and High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt of creating the indictment. Dodik stressed that it should not come as a surprise if the Court of B&H transfers the case to the RS judiciary and this gives rise to allegations that he personally masterminded this transfer in order to avoid conviction. He noted that he does not want to get off easily and he wants the Court of B&H to convict him if there is any reason to do so.

 

Cvijanovic says returning of indictment for altering is just prolongation of case (ATV)

 

Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic noted that returning the indictment against RS President Milorad Dodik and Acting Director of the RS Official Gazette Milos Lukic for altering is just a prolongation of this issue, because “they” do not know what else to do. Cvijanovic added that their credibility is best illustrated by the fact that the media receives information before the defendants do. In Cvijanovic’s opinion, all this is proof of how politically motivated everything is. "Then you take a step further and look at how things work, and you come to the indictment, which you know is a classic political exile, because it is a fight against dissenters. Those who dared to say that domestic institutions are the ones who make laws," Cvijanovic added.

 

FB&H officials support revision of indictment against Dodik, Lukic (Nova BH)

 

Commenting on the decision of the Court of B&H to return indictment against RS President Milorad Dodik and Acting Director of the RS Official Gazette Milos Lukic for a revision, Serif Spago from SDA said that the Court of B&H should be allowed to work and that they probably had a reason to return the indictment for revision. Spago said that he expects the Prosecutor’s Office to add the part related to the overthrow of the constitutional order after the revision. Sabina Cudic from Our Party (NS) said that she does not know details of the investigations but that she supports that the indictment goes for a revision if that means it will be expanded and gain strength. Commenting on the issue, DF official Milan Dunovic said for the media that the indictment did not state what criminal offense Dodik was charged with and he added “I assume the intention is to go toward lighter option.”

 

Cvijanovic and Dodik hold press conference, reveal details of visit to Hungary (RTRS)

 

RS President Milorad Dodik and B&H Presidency member Zeljka Cvijanovic hosted a press conference in Banja Luka on Monday to present the results of their meetings during the visit to Hungary. RTRS reports that at the meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban it was agreed that the Hungarian government will help investments in the RS with EUR 118 million, and portion of the funds will be used to finance projects “Germany allegedly withdrew from”. Addressing the press conference, Dodik said that EUR 18 million will be allocated to subsidies for purchase of agricultural machines, EUR 70 million will be redirected to projects which “the German government tried to stop in a disgraceful way”.  RTRS reports that Dodik explained that obstacle to terminate the projects is the still valid contract between the ‘Elektroprivreda RS’ and “the German Bank” that opposes decision of the German government to terminate the contract. “We are asking the German Federal government to start to respect its decisions and finally withdraw that so that we can move on, and not to block us in that regard,” said Dodik, noting that the projects can be implemented much sooner with Hungarians then under arrangement with Germans. Addressing the press conference, Cvijanovic said that all earlier agreed projects related to supporting the economy in the RS “will continue in the upcoming period, in accordance with priorities determined within the council we have formed and our task forces that are working hard and should identify all important projects”, whose implementation will be supervised by Dodik and Orban. RTRS reports that Azerbaijan also expressed interest in cooperation with the RS in the energy sector. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed that Azerbaijan wants to supply gas to the RS via gas pipeline from Turkey, and Dodik informed Aliyev that the RS leadership approved construction of the gas pipeline branch in B&H, but also that Sarajevo is obstructing the gasification. “Now he expresses the interest in the RS’ gas pipeline to expand the supply area. And our message is: let us people finish both the Eastern and the Southern interconnections and to start with investments. We have investors. What the hell is going on with you in Sarajevo? What do you want? We have been on standstill for ten years in that regard,” said Dodik. Cvijanovic said that that many EU countries “are knocking on the door of Azerbaijan to resolve their energy issues the world today is burdened with, especially the EU. And I want to highlight that we are happy that on that door and many other important doors the EU is now knocking, we knocked long time ago and established partnerships,” said Cvijanovic. RTRS reports that the RS also continues its good relations and partnership with Turkey; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conveyed to the RS leadership the Ankara’s interest in construction of the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway, and they also discussed construction of the Hydropower Plant ‘Mrsovo’. During “bilateral” meetings in Hungary, the leaders expressed their support to the RS’ policy and its “fight against legal violence” by Christian Schmidt. “The leaders understand, and they are familiar with that that it is almost impossible that in the present times there is a foreigner that can make interventions in the legislation, even with the fact that the B&H Constitution states that the only legislative body the level of B&H is the B&H Parliamentary Assembly, not an individual. And all of them said that it is unacceptable and that we need to go back to agreements in B&H,” said Dodik.

 

Kristo and Mitsotakis about reforms on B&H's path of joining EU (Dnevni list)

 

Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H Borjana Kristo met with Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens (on Monday), speaking to him about strengthening of bilateral cooperation and the reforms of B&H in the process of joining the EU. The meeting was held on the eve of the informal meeting of the leaders of the region and the EU countries in Athens, which will be attended by Kristo at the invitation of Mitsotakis. Kristo thanked Mitsotakis for the strong support he provides to B&H on its European path. She added that B&H and Greece are friendly countries without open issues and called on Mitsotakis to further strengthen economic cooperation in mutual interest. During the meeting, Kristo emphasized that B&H undoubtedly belongs to the European circle of civilizations and that in the coming period they will prove it. She added that the priorities and focus of the work of the new B&H CoM, as well as of all institutions of B&H, in the period ahead of us are aimed at fulfilling the 8+1 conditions, that is, 14 key priorities from the Opinion of the European Commission. Speaking about the work of the current convocation of the B&H CoM, Kristo emphasized the importance of reforms not only for the perspective of our country within the EU, but also for stability and security B&H and the entire region. Chairwoman Kristo reiterated B&H’s unquestionable compliance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, especially since as a signatory of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), it is obliged to harmonize its foreign policy with the EU.

 

Citizens of Gorazde and Podrinje stage protest in front of B&H Prosecutor’s Office due to indictment that was confirmed against 13 RB&H Army members (Hayat)

 

A large number of citizens from Gorazde and Podrinje, with support of people from all parts of B&H, held a peaceful protest gathering in front of the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H, pointing to the injustice of judicial institutions. They protested due to filing of the indictment against 13 persons, former commanders and members of the Army of the Republic of B&H (RB&H), that are accused of war crimes over victims of Serb nationality in Josanica, near Foca. Also, they are dissatisfied because crimes over civilian victims in Gorazde have not been processed to this day. The gathered citizens say those that only defended themselves and the country are being tried before courts, and those that actually committed war crimes are not processed. Kasim Brdar, President of the ‘Istina za Gorazde’ Foundation, pointed out that prosecutors of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H do not care about the 1,336 days during which Gorazde was under siege. He says conditions in that town during the war were horrible and Gorazde was bombarded almost every day. They do not know who did that, and they do not wish to know, Brdar emphasized. Citizens said that the RB&H Army members defended the people of Gorazde and Podrinje, but in return, they now got an indictment filed against them. President of the Alliance of Disabled War Veterans of the FB&H Mujo Aganovic believes that this is just a plan by which someone wants to relativize crimes. He said that members of the RB&H Army, which defended all citizens of B&H regardless of their nationality, are now being depicted as aggressors and someone is trying to punish them. Kada Hotic from the Association ‘Movement of Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves’ believes what the Court of B&H is doing is shameful as they are arresting and prosecuting people that only defended themselves and the people from aggressors. Citizens underline that these 13 people are those that defended civilians and their homes, and they did not commit war crimes. Many veterans came to the protest gathering. They showed support to their comrades, and said they are honorable men and they do not deserve this. Citizens sent a letter from the protest to the UN Secretary-General and informed him about the failure to respect the UN resolution by which the formation of the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H was initiated. They also informed him about the failure to respect The Hague heritage, as well as that the B&H Prosecution is prosecuting fighters from the protected zones, while not processing those that held those zones captive, killing civilians every day during the war.

 

Another femicide committed in Zivinice (BHT1)

 

Two lifeless bodies were found inside a family house in Podgajevi near Zivinice on Sunday night. The Tuzla Canton (TC) Prosecutor’s Office is in charge of the investigation but all evidence points to murder and suicide. An underage child was present at the crime scene when the police arrived but it was unharmed. The police came to inspect the situation shortly after 21,00 hrs. due to reports of gunfire by neighbors. Spokesperson for the TC Police Adnana Sprecic confirmed that two bodies were found, in particular a male who was later identified as M.A. and a female who was later identified as T.C.  Sprecic also confirmed that both had wounds from a firearm and both were pronounced dead upon the arrival. Prosecutor assigned to the case issued an order for an autopsy, as well as an order to determine if relevant authorities issued a permit for carrying of the firearm used in this crime. The reporter pointed out that after recent tragic events in Gradacac, another murder feels even more unsettling for the citizens and they expect from law enforcement to take responsibility for their protection and safety. Manager of the safehouse in Tuzla Danijela Huremovic explained that the number of individuals who seek help from safehouse usually ranges between 60 to 80 each year but in 2023 this number will definitely exceed 120. The child found in the house is a relative of T.C. and will remain at a safe location until parent-caretaker returns from working abroad. The reporter noted that there is no information if any reports of domestic violence prior to the incident in Podgajevi.

 

Bijeljina: Woman stabbed by her husband; Husband jumped out of window (BNTV)

 

In Bijeljina, a woman was stabbed on Monday evening in Pere Stanica Street. BNTV learned that a woman was stabbed by her husband in their apartment, after which the man jumped out of a window. Both were transported by ambulance to the Bijeljina hospital. It is yet unclear if they succumbed to the injuries. Possible reasons behind this incident were not uncovered at this time.

 

Protests against femicide and domestic violence held in several B&H cities (BHT1)

 

Peaceful protests against femicide and domestic violence were held in several B&H cities on Monday, including Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar. Protests were for the most part organized over social networks and protesters agreed that the authorities have to take responsibility and protect women who report domestic violence. Protesters in Banja Luka warned of growing rate of domestic violence in B&H and called on the authorities to get actively involved in protection of women. A group of women gathered spontaneously in Mostar downtown in order to show support to online initiative for fight against femicide.

 

Milatovic in Athens: Montenegro ready for EU membership (CdM)

 

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Thessaloniki Declaration, President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic is a guest of a working dinner with the leaders of the Balkans and the highest officials of the European Union, hosted by the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Milatovic, as announced by his cabinet, said that, after the political changes, Montenegro is ready to join the EU and that its membership would send a good message to the countries of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe that the enlargement process is alive.

 

Xhaferi dismisses claim he broke Rules of Procedure by adjourning vote on constitutional changes (MIA)

 

Parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi dismissed VMRO-DPMNE’s claim that he broke parliament’s Rules of Procedure by delaying the vote on the need for constitutional amendments after the conclusion of the discussion at the plenary session on 18 August. At a press conference Monday, Xhaferi said the “tendency to misinform the citizens led him to clarify his action”. The session was called on 18 August, according to Chapter 5 of the Rules of Procedure which outlines the steps for the course of a session, said Xhaferi. Xhaferi said he adjourned the session after the conclusion of the discussion, and said the MPs will be additionally informed over when it will continue. At the press conference, he pointed to Article 81 of the Rules of Procedure which states “the President of the Assembly may suspend the Assembly session if there is no majority of Members of the Assembly, necessary for passing a decision, and in other cases when he/she deems that necessary”. Earlier on Monday, VMRO-DPMNE accused Xhaferi of breaking the Rules of Procedure by adjourning the session.

 

No support for constitutional changes from VMRO-DPMNE or public, Mickoski tells Drexler (MIA)

 

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski and VMRO-DPMNE MP Aleksandar Nikoloski met Monday with German Ambassador to North Macedonia Petra Drexler, according to a party press release. At the meeting, Mickoski and Drexler discussed the EU integration process and the current political situation in the country, the release said, adding that he said "the government knowingly violates the parliamentary Rules of Procedure by not putting the constitutional amendments to a vote, because there's no two-thirds majority". Mickoski also said the interrupted parliamentary session had confirmed this. He reiterated that his party would not vote for constitutional amendments, adding that bilateral issues should not be a condition to start talks with the EU. The VMRO-DPMNE head also said the government had no support from the public and an early parliamentary election was necessary. "Mickoski also expressed great gratitude for the exceptionally good cooperation and support of the Federal Republic of Germany toward Macedonia," the party said.

 

Kovachevski — Von der Leyen: EU supports country's integration (MIA)

 

Latest developments related to the process of amending the Constitution, for which the country has the full support of the EU so it can continue its process of European integration, were the topic of conversation at the Athens meeting between Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski and the European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday. According to an official press release, the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 20th anniversary of the Thessaloniki EU–Western Balkans Summit, highlighted the importance of adopting the constitutional amendments required for the country to continue its European integration process. Prime Minister Kovachevski and EC President Von der Leyen also exchanged opinions on the screening process and the expected opening of the EU negotiations' first clusters. They also discussed the benefits of the EU's new Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, including access to the EU single market and improving regional economic integration, which are extremely important for each of the countries. To speed up the fundamental reforms in the region, the Western Balkans would receive increased pre-accession funds from the EU, the release points out. Speaking about the advantages of joining the EU, meeting participants once again stressed that it was crucial to seize this opportunity for North Macedonia's membership. They also discussed the conditions and perspectives of the countries in the region, pointing out that their European integration was of great geostrategic and security importance for entire Europe.

 

Osmani to Vucevic: Awaiting clarification from Serbia's Defense Minister (MIA)

 

North Macedonia rejects interference and unsuitable remarks from neighboring officials. We stand for regional stability and cooperation, including with Serbia and Kosovo, Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani wrote in a Facebook post in response to Serbia's Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic who said Sunday that "Montenegro and North Macedonia made a mistake by recognizing Kosovo’s independence". "Awaiting clarification from Serbia's Defence Minister," FM Osmani added.

 

Rama warns of threats to North Macedonia, Montenegro (N1)

 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama warned on Monday of unspecified threats to the stability of NATO members North Macedonia and Montenegro. “Threats against the stability and integrity of North Macedonia and Montenegro are dangerous and unacceptable,” Rama wrote in a Twitter post. “Let’s not forget that Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro are NATO allies fully dedicated to the security and territorial integrity of one another. We have achieved in the last decade in this region what no one could even imagine in endless decades before and we cannot and will not allow anyone to pull us back in the past we are leaving behind for good! Together! Greater Europe is our only future,” he added. The Albanian Prime Minister did not specify the threats or who is behind them.

 

Albania, the first Balkans country in the Multinational Force & Observers mission (Radio Tirana)

 

Albania is the first Balkans country to become part of the Multinational Force and Observers mission. Albanian Minister of Defense Niko Peleshi assessed the mission of the Multinational Force & Observers as very important to ensure the implementation of the Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel. "In this historic journey, we are confident that our Military Police officers, with their excellent skills, will have a positive effect to the regional stability and will help prevent violations of the terms of this treaty in question," he emphasized. Peleshi expressed the determination of the Albanian Armed Forces to perform its duties with dedication and high professionalism.