Weekly Brief

Albania
The EU criticized the Government’s intention to offer “Golden Passports,” the Government sold one-year treasury bills for 81.1 million euros ($82.3 million), and some 4,000 Albanians illegally reached Great Britain this year. The Government remains to offer citizenship to foreign investors. Albanians claim to have been trafficked or exploited, hardening their removal once apprehended.

Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency member Dodik met Russian Ambassador Kalabuhov, the High Representative Schmidt accused the three ethnic groups leaders of playing “political games,” and the first German Bundeswehr soldiers started their work as part of the EUFOR Althea operation. Dodik stated, “I am preparing to travel to Russia again at the end of next month for a previously arranged meeting. I am also talking with Kalabuhov about how to solve the issues related to the gas pipeline.” The deployment of 50 soldiers aims to ease the ongoing internal political crisis.

Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic commented on a package of measures to fight energy dependence, record-high inflation at 12.3%, and Vjekoslav Prebeg faces a death penalty under the laws of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. Plenkovic stated that the capacity of the Okoli Underground Storage should be 90% by October. The national statistical office noted the situation is due to higher fuel and food prices. Prebeg was captured in and around the port city of Mariupol.

Kosovo
The Government stopped the import of electricity and began energy rationing, Prime Minister Kurti met Serbian President Vucic in Brussels, and NATO said it would be ready to intervene if tensions escalated. KEDS’s energy distribution company said it would start power cuts because of a lack of domestic production and high import prices. Secretary General Stoltenberg noted, “We have now a significant mission, a military presence in Kosovo close to 4,000 troops.” EU foreign policy chief Borrell stated, “Unhappily, we did not yet (come) to an agreement today. There is still time until September 1; I don’t give up.”

Montenegro
The Parliament voted no confidence in Abazovic’s Government, inflation speeds up to 14.9% year-over-year in July, and the Democratic Front’s leader Mandic expressed regret for the Parliament’s decision. The Parliament Speaker Djuric stated, “I announce that the 43rd government of Montenegro has lost confidence.” Mandic said Abazovic would be remembered for signing the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church.

North Macedonia
Progress has been made on historical issues with Bulgaria preventing EU accession, the Government introduced electricity saving measures, and President Pendarovski commented on the Historical Commissions agreement. The Commission noted, “The joint commission proposes to the two governments, in the spirit of the signed bilateral agreement, that the celebration of King Samuel be a sign of shared values and true neighborliness and friendship.” Economy Minister Bekteshi stated that the measures come into force on September 1 and will be valid until the end of March next year. Pendarovski noted that there is no doubt that the Macedonian team in the Commission has been working to protect the Macedonian identity, language, and name.

Serbia
President Vucic addressed the nation after the Brussels meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti, annual inflation accelerated further to 12.8% in July, and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic accused the Social Democratic Party’s Leader Boris Tadic of the current problems with Kosovo. Vucic stated, “Pristina is determined to drive the Serbs out of northern Kosovo.” Petkovic Twitted, “You brought EULEX, recognized Kosovo license plates, identity cards, customs stamp, so-called Kosovo, set up a fight for Kosovo from the UN. You have not condemned any attacks on Serbs in recent years. Miserable!”