Albania
USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance helped in fighting the wildfires, the World Bank (WB) warned the Government on insufficient wildfire preparedness back in May, and additional wildfire EU assistance. US Ambassador Kim expressed deep sadness over the situation and stated that all Albanians could count on help from the American people. WB’s Diagnostic Report: Emergency and Preparedness and Response Assessment concluded that the country “lacks the operational foundation for effective and coordinated interagency response to large-scale disasters.” The Czech Republic and Netherlands helicopter teams continued to support firefighters’ operations efforts.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency Member Dodik denied participating in the Presidency telephone conference, Pope Francis sent a message to young people gathered at Mladifest in Medjugorje to follow Christ with courage and joy, and pro-Salafism group Faith-People-State protested against Pride Parade in Sarajevo. Croat Presidency Member Komsic and his Bosniak counterpart Dzaferovic stated that Dodik took part in Presidency’s work and voted against the Governing Board of the Central Bank’s appointment proposal. The Faith-People-State group called on Muslims and Christians to join them against ”this plague” as “the Bible, like the Quran, condemns homosexuality!”
Croatia
Possible fines for refusing to participate in the upcoming census, police probe on Serb Mayor calling the Operation Storm a crime, and the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia-Herzegovina (B&H) requested to prosecute Croat generals on their role in the Operation Flash. The citizens could save time and avoid fines by filling in the census through the popular e-Citizens system. A member of the Independent Democratic Serbian Party, Zoran Bacanovic, is under police investigation over a Facebook post showing a column of Serb refugees fleeing the country and holding a banner mentioning Operation Storm as “a crime that is still ongoing.” B&H Prosecutor’s Office might press charges against Croatian generals for operations that covered B&H’s territory.
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti on unification with Albania, Albania’s Prime Minister Rama on official Prishtina’s decision to reject the Open Balkan Initiative, and Gjakova Basic Court rejected the municipality’s request to annul the first post-war Serb returnee’s apartment contract. Kurti called all Albanians to first strengthen ties before opening borders to neighboring countries. Rama stated that the Open Balkan Initiative has Germany’s support and that other countries should join voluntarily. Property Comparison and Verification Agency allowed Dragica Gasic to use her apartment again after other persons had occupied it since the war.
Montenegro
Turkey about to provide consular services to citizens living in third countries, Prime Minister Krivokapic stated the enthronement of Metropolitan Joanikij of Montenegro and the Littoral would take place on September 4th in Cetinje, and MP Boris Mugosa on the problem with youth leaving their parents’ households when turning 33. From August 7th, Turkey will provide consular assistance to citizens traveling or residing in 25 countries without diplomatic or consular missions. Social Democratic Party of Montenegro’s (SDP) Vice President Nikola Djuraskovic insists on canceling the enthronement and holding it somewhere else, preventing “attempts at humiliation by the Serbian Orthodox Church and its political exponents.” SDP’s Mugosa stated that the politicians should create conditions for the youth to leave their parents household when turning 26, which is the current EU standard.
North Macedonia
Official Skopje still waits for the formation of a new Bulgarian government to continue the EU accession negotiations, annual inflation speeded up to 3.4% in July, and one million COVID-19 vaccine doses administrated thus far. The country could be facing more extended procrastination on restarting the EU accession negotiations as Bulgarian political parties failed to form a new government, opening the way for a third election. Up to July, the average inflation was 2.5%. Of one million administrated doses, 454700 went for revaccination.
Serbia
Serbian-Russian Economic Forum scheduled for October 4th, China National Machinery Import and Export (CMC) aims to build a 100 MW solar power plant in Sombor, and the Government plans to purchase two Russian Ka-32 firefighting helicopters and 11 Mi-35P fighter helicopters. Innovation and Technology Minister Popovic stated that the forum would host over 100 companies from the Russian Federation. President Vucic said the firefighting helicopters could carry up to five tons of water compared to the present only taking one ton of water, while the fighter helicopters will strengthen the country’s military capabilities.