Albania
Official Brussels might propose a fresh start for EU talks, the EU donated 145,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and the US asked for sanctions on free vote violators. The EU Commission will likely recommend holding the first Inter-Governmental Conference at the June Summit of EU leaders, which would symbolize the official start of the country’s accession. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission to OSCE, Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller, expressed concerns over the leaking of sensitive personal data and obstructions on the people to vote in free and fair elections.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The US and EU expressed support for the country’s sovereignty, the G7 group rejected attempts to undermine the country’s territorial integrity, and SNSD’s Dodik announced the existence of a Republika Srpska non-paper. US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stated that the country is “a single state destined for the Euro-Atlantic community.” G7 Foreign and Development Ministers and the High Representative of the EU firmly rejected any attempts on border changes along ethnic lines. Dodik has mentioned that there are activities in progress on creating an intra-state negotiation platform excluding foreign officials.
Croatia
Defense Minister Banozic expressed support for Kosovo’s Security Forces transformation into an army, President Milanovic presented his candidate for the Supreme Court’s president, and the country will donate 50,000 Covid-19 vaccines to the region. Banozic offered to help Kosovo form a regular army, already providing military education to 60 KSF members. Milanovic announced that law professor Zlata Djurdjevic is his candidate for the position and warned the parliament’s governing coalition he would not back down if they do not confirm her candidacy. Bosnia-Herzegovina will get 30,000 vaccines, whereas Montenegro and Kosovo will each get 10,000 vaccines.
Kosovo
Genocide lawsuit against Serbia, dialogue with Serbia not to focus on technical issues, and KSF participated in Defender-Europe 21 military exercise. Prime Minister Kurti has confirmed that his government will file the suit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Deputy Prime Minister Bislimi said that there would be no agreement with Serbia excluding mutual recognition, recognition by the five EU countries, and guarantees for UN membership. This exercise was the first time for KSF to participate in significant training alongside its NATO partners.
Montenegro
Neighborhood and Enlargement Commissioner Várhelyi commented on the country’s finances, European Commission soon to discuss the Report on the progress in the rule of law, and a new energy strategy prioritizing renewable energy sources underway. Várhelyi reconfirmed the EU stance on not repaying someone else’s debts. On May 18th, the EC should discuss the rapporteur Picula’s Progress Report on fighting organized crime, the judiciary, media freedom, and the fight against corruption. The strategy aims to achieve zero emissions by 2030.
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Zaev has stated that his country will not trade its national identity for joining the EU, the government purchased 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines and is about to receive 120,000 vaccines from the EU, and Foreign Affairs Minister Osmani met his German counterpart Mass in Berlin. Zaev’s statement followed the European Commission’s assessment that agreement with Bulgaria might be a precondition for joining the EU. Osmani and Mass discussed political dialogue, economic cooperation and connectivity, and the next steps strengthening bilateral relations.
Serbia
Foreign Minister Selakovic met Spanish counterpart Gonzalez Laya, bilateral agreements on political consultations, military cooperation, and a cooperation program on culture, education, and sport signed in Morocco, and President Vucic warned Kosovo against filing Genocide Lawsuit through Albania. Laya underlined Spain would maintain its position objecting to Kosovo’s independence. Foreign Minister Bourita stated that Morocco supports Serbia’s position on Kosovo. Vucic noted that Kosovo could not file the lawsuit with the ICJ on its own as it is not a member of the United Nations.