Albania
The Government announced a consultation on Data Privacy Law, sold 35 million worth of security papers, and the American Chamber of Commerce (ACC) opposes the fiscal amnesty law. Justice Minister Manja mentioned a new concept of consent for data protection, given freely, informed, and transparently through a statement or explicit action to the affirmative. ACC expressed concerns that the draft law would allow Albanians and foreign citizens to deposit up to 2 million euros ($2 million) in a local bank with no questions, legal immunity, and a 5-10% tax.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The UN’s special advisor Alice Wairimu Nderitu warned that genocide denial is preventing reconciliation, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia Cooper met Defense Minister Podzic in Sarajevo, and Bosniak-Croat Federation Government rejected Chinese subcontractors for the coal-fired plant. Nderitu stated, “The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia rendered a decision, a final decision, that genocide happened here.” The Government noted that Chinese equipment should not replace an original plan to use General Electric subcontractors for the Tuzla plant expansion.
Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic reassured citizens that the Government had been preparing for the winter months, the EU officially accepted Croatia as the 20th eurozone member, and President Milanovic criticized an initiative reducing presidential powers. Plenkovic stated that the Okoli underground gas storage is in the filling phase, with 90% done thus far. The European Union Council officially approved Croatia’s entry into the eurozone. Milanovic noted, “Plenkovic wants the party to take over the Croatian army. It’s not the first time they attack the Constitution.”
Kosovo
U.S. Envoy Escobar urges implementation of the Serb-majority municipalities agreement, annual inflation accelerated to 14.1% in June, and Albanian Prime Minister Rama called for the country’s NATO integration. Escobar stated, “In fact, we are asking the two parties to be constructive, to provide their own visions what the association should look like, and then negotiate from there, within the framework of the dialogue.” Rama said, “I have again had the chance to mention the need to consider the involvement of Kosovo in the Partnership for Peace Programme, although I understand there are some political constraints.”
Montenegro
EU-Montenegro Stabilization and Association Council took place in Podgorica, President Djukanovic’s Democratic Party of Socialists withdrew its support for Prime Minister Abazovic, and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) opened 1st Chinese-built highway section. The EU’s Borrell and Várhelyi welcomed the progress made by official Podgorica. The decision came after the Government signed an agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church. CRBC opened the 41-km priority Smokovac-Matesevo section of Montenegro’s Bar-Boljare Highway.
North Macedonia
Parliament passed draft conclusions based on a French accession proposal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged the Government to accept the French bid, and opposition VMRO-DPMNE leader Mickoski claimed that an ethnic Albanian tried to assassinate him during protests. 68 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament voted to pass draft conclusions to lift the Bulgarian veto on the EU accession path. Von der Leyen stated, “We are convinced that this is of historical importance. But the decision is yours to take and yours alone.” The Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski dismisses the opposition leader’s assassination attempt claims.
Serbia
The Government plans to buy Azerbaijan gas, the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade rejected the “Serbian world” advocated by Interior Minister Vulin, and European Parliament called for an investigation into removing ethnic Albanians from voter lists. Energy Minister Mihajlovic stated, “We are currently talking to Azerbaijan to book gas capacities for the next year because the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector will be completed next year in September.” Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin said, “I dream of the unification of Serbs, just as all my ancestors dreamed of it. I know that one day it will be completed peacefully, without violence and conflict.” The allegations and studies indicate that the authorities illegally removed over 6200 citizens of Albanian ethnicity from voter lists through “passivization.