Weekly Brief

Albania
Hackers published Prime Minister Rama’s e-mail content, Majlinda Dhuka became a new Chief Negotiator with European Union, and the Anti-Terror Directorate arrested two ISIS supporters. The hack revealed citizen complaints on employment problems in the administration and criteria used in public tenders. Dhuka previously served as the Governance and Development Director at the Prime Minister’s Office. Bledar Zeneli is suspected of provoking calls and propaganda for terrorist purposes.

Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency Member Dodik against NATO deployment without Russian approval, SDA’s Izetbegovic reiterated that he would not accept the Election Law “pressure and blackmail,” and HDZ’s Covic congratulated the military operation Storm’s 27th anniversary and the Victory Day. Dodik stated, “The policy of Republika Srpska is clear – peace and military neutrality.” Izetbegovic noted, “We will persevere in our efforts to protect you, and we will not give up even a millimeter in this.” Covic said, “I congratulate all Croatian men and women, in Croatia and around the world, and especially Croatian veterans, on this day.”

Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic praised the veterans for their role in winning independence, President Milanovic responded to SDA’s Izetbegovic rejection to amend the Election Law, and the Independent Democratic Serb Party’s leader Pupovac commemorated the Serb victims of Operation Storm. Plenkovic stated, “[W]e won the right to freedom and the right to our own state.” Milanovic said Bosnia-Herzegovina was defended “by Croatian soldiers, HVO soldiers, the bravest sons.” Pupovac stated that he hoped Croats and Serbs would create a society of peace rather than reopening the wounds every year.

Kosovo
The Government postponed the license plate reciprocity by September 1st, Serbs removed roadblocks in the North, and Prime Minister Kurti should meet Serb President Vucic on August 18th in Brussels. The EU’s foreign policy chief Borrell welcomed the decision and asked for the removal of the roadblocks. The Serbian Lista’s leader and the Minister for Communities and Returns, Goran Rakic, stated that his “political goal is to oust Albin Kurti from power.” The EU envoy Lajcak noted that the two leaders would discuss how to move forward in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue.

Montenegro
Prime Minister Abazovic signed the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), the country joined the European Patent Convention, and the Government approved a 2-year digital nomad visa. Political parties launched a parliamentary no-confidence motion stating that the agreement gives the SOC too much influence. Digital Nomad Association Croatia’s President Jan de Jong said, “And it’s official! Montenegro has followed into the footsteps of its neighbor, Croatia – by introducing it’s digital nomad visa!”

North Macedonia
President Pendarovski observed Statehood Day at the Saint Prohor Pchinski monastery, Prime Minister Kovacevski rejected the opposition referendum proposal, and the Army received the first six of 33 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. Pendarovski expressed his gratitude to Serbian President Vucic and Patriarch Porfirije, who, after a break of 18 years, made it possible to celebrate the state holiday in the monastery. Kovacevski stated that the EU would indeed recognize Macedonian language and identity. Defense Minister Petrovska noted, “This delivery represents a serious step forward in the process of modernization and equipping of the Army according to NATO standards.”

Serbia
President Vucic stated that the country was “one step away from disaster and the most difficult scenario,” attended the central commemoration for victims of the Croatian military operation Storm in Novi Sad, and met the Russian Ambassador Bocan-Harcenko. Vucic noted, “We cannot let Albanian cards into our country because that would recognize the independence of Kosovo… They are not right about the license plates.” Vucic stated, “There are two reasons why we are here. The first is because of those who were killed and exiled; the other is to remember.” Bocan-Harcenko reiterated the official Russian position that Pristina’s actions were irresponsible.