Albania
Heavy rain flooded thousands of acres of fields, initiated a US donation, and increased power exports. More than 5,000 hectares (12,350 acres) ended underwater, triggering soldiers’ and locals’ efforts to protect crops destroyed in the northwestern Shkoder and Lezha districts and southwestern Vlora. The US European Command assisted by donating flood-relief equipment worth over $600,000 to Albania’s Armed Forces. Albania reached the right electricity balance with Greece and Bulgaria, turning to a net exporter to Montenegro for the first time in the last five months.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
EU allocated more funds to aid migrants as domestic authorities refuse camps’ (re)openings, facing warnings from official Brussels. In addition to 4.5 million Euros from April 2020, the EU sent 3.5 million Euros to the country, asking that camps be built, including temporary shelter for migrants. In addition to the city of Bihac’s refusal, the Republika Srpska entity refused to assist by opening centers on its territory. In a phone conversation with the EU foreign policy chief Borrell, the Presidency member Dodik received a warning over his rejection to accommodate migrants in the Republika Srpska, threatening the country’s EU ambitions.
Croatia
Croatia-France meetings revealed good relations, while Croatia-Serbia energy cooperation continues. The French foreign minister Le Drian acknowledged the country’s aspiration to join the Schengen Zone while meeting with European affairs minister Grlic Radman, who thanked France for support on the OECD’s accession. President Milanovic expressed a willingness to advance the COVID-19 vaccination cooperation with France while raising concerns over Croats’ position in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Meanwhile, state-owned oil pipeline operator Jadranski Naftovod agreed with Serbian oil and gas company NIS on delivering around 2.75 million tons of crude oil this year.
Kosovo
The government had appointed the new acting Police Director-General and approved an economic recovery package amid devastating floods. The government approved the decision to appoint Samedin Mehmeti – an experienced police officer with a Ph.D. in counterterrorism and fieldwork from the UN mission in Afghanistan – the Kosovo Police Director-General. The government has approved a 222.4 million Euros ($268.8 million) economic recovery package mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 crisis in 2021. Meanwhile, severe floods left many homes and businesses without electricity and drinking water in the country’s western part.
Montenegro
Prime minister Krivokapic faced critics for congratulating the Republika Srpska Day as President Djukanovic refuses to dismiss top generals, with the new president appointed to the Constitutional Court. The Prime minister’s Office communicated that Krivokapic never officially congratulated the unconstitutional holiday. Djukanovic refused to support Krivokapic and Parliament Speaker Becic to dismiss the staff’s military chief, Major General Dakic. Meanwhile, Budimir Scepanovic has been appointed as the new president of the Constitutional Court.
North Macedonia
The country’s cooperation with Greece progressed amid uneasy relations with Bulgaria. North Macedonia and Greece signed the memoranda of understanding in diplomatic training, civil protection, and investments. Greek Foreign minister Dendias acknowledged the significant effort in implementing the Prespa agreement. Concurrently, Bulgaria allegedly submitted the 12-point annex to Skopje as a condition for unblocking the European integration process. Official Sofia might wish to invest in building interstate railways, opening Bulgarian universities in Northern Macedonia, and similar initiatives strengthening bilateral relations.
Serbia
President Vucic is concerned over the Washington Agreement’s implementations, adding that Albanians and the EU are not seeking to compromise on the Belgrade-Pristina dialog. EU special envoy Lajcak said that political normalization between Kosovo and Serbia is a precondition for economic normalization, the Washington Agreement’s primary goal. Vucic expects to discuss this position with the upcoming US administration and official Brussels. He raised concern over the Brussels-led Belgrade-Pristina dialog, which he afraid might lead to Serbia’s humiliation as the other side is not ready for a compromise solution.