Albania
The country falls six places in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (the Index) for 2021, President Meta warns of high public debt, and the customs agreement with Kosovo approved. The country’s rank is 110 out of 180 in the Index, compared to the 104 in 2020. Meta stated the actual debt is 84 percent of the GDP instead of the 80 percent reported. The agreement provides one-country-only control reducing the customs check time.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The country slightly improved its position in the Index, the Republika Srpska Parliament’s special session on February 1st, and SNSD’s leader Dodik stated the country is facing the Yugoslavia scenario. The country’s rank is 110, compared to 111 in 2020. SDA’s leader Izetbegovic refused Speaker Cubrilovic’s invitation to discuss the ongoing crisis in the county. Dodik stated that the country “will not be able to survive for the same reason that Yugoslavia did not survive,” with Serbs and Croats being dissatisfied with the Bosniaks who want “to create a unitary state in which they would be the dominant people.”
Croatia
President Milanovic stated that he would withdraw Croat troops in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Plenkovic apologized to Ukrainians for Milanovic’s statement, and the Government announced a deal to buy 89 Bradley fighting vehicles. Milanovic stated that “as the commander-in-chief…we will not have anything to do with this.” Plenkovic criticized Milanovic’s statement as “there are none of our soldiers in Ukraine, while the contingent in Poland has already returned.” Plenkovic stated that the 173 million euros ($196 million) deal would help form an infantry brigade.
Kosovo
The country improved its position in the Index, the Government is about to purchase 40 Puma Long Endurance surveillance drones, and the US envoy for the Western Balkans Escobar is about to visit Pristina this week. The country’s rank is 87, compared to the 104 in 2020. The US unmanned aerial vehicles manufacturer AeroVironment Inc. would deliver a 9.7 million euros ($11 million) contract. Escobar previously stated that the Government pledged to form a Community of Serb Municipalities and implement the Constitutional Court’s ruling on 24 hectares of land owned by the Serbian Orthodox Church monastery Visoki Decani.
Montenegro
The country slightly improved its position in the Index, the Government repaid the second installment of 28.96 million euros ($32.8 million) on China’s Exim Bank loan, and Economic Development Minister Jakov Milatovic is likely to become the Chairman of the State Delegation for accession talks with the EU. The country’s rank is 64, compared to the 67 in 2020. The public television reported that Prime Minister Krivokapic would likely remove Foreign Minister Radulovic from his position.
North Macedonia
The country improved its position in the Index, Prime Minister Kovacevski’s official visit to Bulgaria, and Defense Minister Petrovska commented on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The country’s rank is 87, compared to 111 in 2020. Kovachevski and Bulgarian Prime Minister Petkov signed agreements on agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and the development of the Sofia-Skopje railway. Petrovska stated that the Government supports a diplomatic solution even as the Macedonian Armed Forces are already preparing to analyze a possible engagement in this conflict.
Serbia
The country slightly worsened its position in the Index, Europol informed Interior Minister Vulin about a criminal group’s assassination plan against President Vucic, and the Government entered a deal with a Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear. The country’s rank is 96, compared to 94 in 2020. Vulin stated that the investigation results pointed out to Radoje Zvicer, suspected of being the boss of the Montenegrin “Kavak” organized crime group. Finance Minister Mali said the Euroclear membership would help lure foreign portfolio investments.