Albania
Parliament failed to elect a President in the first vote, a gasification Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Bulgaria, and the EU is about to grant 112 million euros ($118,2 million) for agricultural and rural development. Rama said he would wait for the fourth election round to elect the next President with 74 Socialist votes. The agreement was signed between Linden Energy, Albgaz, and Overgas. The IPARD III program runs until 2027 and seeks to support sustainable food systems.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency member Dodik supported the EUFOR mandate extension, SDA leader Izetbegovic said the Election Law negotiations are likely to continue after the October elections, and HDZ’s Covic stated that the Croatian National Assembly (HNS) works to secure the country’s EU candidate status. Dodik noted that he “further understood the role of the Altea Mission and its role in BiH has my support now and in the future.” Izetbegovic greeted Dodik’s support for Altea Mission. Covic stated that before getting the candidate status, the stakeholders “will have to eliminate unknowns regarding the implementation of election results.”
Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic marked the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties with China, the European Commission (EC) cuts GDP growth forecast for 2022-2023, and the Government sold 123 million euros worth of domestic debt. Plenkovic stated he is looking “forward to deepening our political relationship, our consultations, our economic cooperation.” The EC expects GDP to expand by 3.4% instead of the 4.8% projected growth in February. Finance Minister Maric stated that the Government raised 123.3 million euros.
Kosovo
Foreign Minister Gërvalla denied Serbia’s claims of the country’s recognition withdrawals, Prime Minister Kurti stated that Serbia should sanction Russia before receiving US funds, and the Government aims to become a European Broadcasting Union member. Gërvalla noted that “either the news is untrue, or they have been working on it for a long time, as opposed to what they publicly stated.” The Public Service Broadcaster’s director-general Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj stated that “now the chances may be greater due to the movements of the latter in terms of the exclusion of Russia and Belarus.”
Montenegro
Prime Minister Abazovic is likely to sign the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church, the citizenship-by-investment program is likely to end this year, and the Singapore-based LNG Alliance is interested in investing in the energy sector. Abazovic stated that he “has no problem signing an agreement with any religious organization that is registered according to the law in our country.” Abazovic vowed to end the program during his first official visit to Brussels. The LNG Alliance vice president Dhananjoy Kumar Das expressed interest in cooperation with the state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Crne Gore.
North Macedonia
Ohrid Archbishop Stefan served reconciliation liturgy with Patriarch Porfirije in Belgrade, the Government approved 222.6 million euros loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Defense Minister Petrovska met her Bulgarian counterpart Zakov. Patriarch Porfirije said, “Welcome dear brothers, welcome brother Archbishop Stefan and bishops. Welcome to our community of love, you and all your God-loving people.” A grant worth 3 million euros will fund the renovation of physical education facilities in primary and secondary schools and the acquisition of sports equipment for more than 52,000 students. Petrovska stated that the two NATO members would strengthen defense cooperation.
Serbia
President Vucic met Hungarian President Orban in Novi Sad, 100 schools in Belgrade received bomb threats, and European Council President Charles Michel vowed a speedier EU accession of Serbia. The two presidents discussed the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on regional and global food security. Prime Minister Brnabic said, “these bomb threats are pressure from abroad because of our refusal to impose sanctions [against Russia].” Michel wishes to see Serbia as an active member of the European Geopolitical Community even before the latter becomes an EU member state.