Albania
The Security Forces arrested two Russians and one Ukrainian for espionage, the Government may offer 87 million euros ($87 million) worth of government papers on August 30th, and the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Corruption and Organized Crime launched the probe against former President Meta. Defense Minister Peleshi and Interior Minister Cuci confirmed that the suspects had been arrested around a factory in Gramsh that once produced Kalashnikov. Former Parliament Member Halit Valteri claimed that Meta used corrupted funds for lobbying.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The B-52 Stratofortress bomber has flown over the country, Israeli Prime Minister Lapid recalled ambassador Noah Gal Gendler after the latter supported the HDZ Election Law amendments, and the EU offered a one-month free stay for digital nomads visiting the country. The US and NATO allies expressed their commitment to the region’s stability and security. Croat Presidency member Komsic thanked the Israel Government for reconsidering their official position towards the disputed political issues. The EU would pay for travel, food, accommodation, and the two mandatory regional tours for up to five people.
Croatia
The 15th conference on Serbo-Croatian relations was held in Golubic Obrovacki, the Government could block Serbia’s EU accession over the war-time indictments, and the Police arrested INA director Damir Skugor and Chamber of Commerce Director Josip Surjak. SDSS’s Milorad Pupovac and DSHV’s Tomislav Zigmanov signed the Declaration on the Cooperation of Serbs from Croatia and Croats from Serbia. Parliament Speaker Jandrokovic stated, “Croatia will use the EU negotiations to send a message to Serbia that such things will not be tolerated.” Surjak has been suspected of buying gas from INA’s Skugor at a lower price and reselling it to a foreign company at a much higher price.
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti proposed six points to resolve issues with Serbia, the Serbian List’s leader Goran Rakic threatened to leave Kosovo Institutions, and the US Secretary of State Blinken would be ready to settle the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue personally. Kurti proposed mutual recognition, the same rights for Albanians in Bujanovac and Presevo as for the northern Serbs, and reconsideration of previous agreements. Rakic noted, “First the politicians, and then everyone, in turn, the prosecutors, the judges, and the police.” The Department of State Spokesperson Price stated, “Secretary Blinken doesn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and have those conversations.”
Montenegro
The Government faced a massive cyberattack, President Djukanovic should nominate a new Prime Minister by September 19th, and the Democratic Front’s (DF) Simonida Kordic sees Andria Mandic as a new Prime Minister. Security Agency stated that Russian services were behind the cyberattack. Kordic cited the last election results when the Democratic Front won 20 seats in Parliament.
North Macedonia
The Government declared an energy crisis, President Pendarovski criticized the EU for its approach to the region, and Foreign Minister Osmani praised bilateral relations with Türkiye. The state of emergency would last for 30 days, starting September 1st. Pendarovski stated, “The European Union has practically forgotten us…we somehow managed to make some kind of compromise with the Republic of Bulgaria, with the French presidency’s help, and to open negotiations.” Osmani noted, “Relations between North Macedonia and Türkiye have always been stable in these 30 years, and I would like to remind you that it has become even stronger.”
Serbia
Official Belgrade reached an agreement with official Pristina, President Vucic nominated Ana Brnabic for another Prime Minister term, and the country would spend 3 billion euros on energy imports next winter. The EU Foreign Policy Chief Borrell tweeted, “Serbia agreed to abolish entry/exit documents for holders of Kosovo ID cards, and Kosovo agreed not to introduce them for holders of Serbian ID cards.” Minister of Mining and Energy Mihajlovic stated that the country would need to import electricity and coal this winter.