Albania
Prime Minister Rama met DAS Escobar, President Meta slammed the Constitutional court ruling on 2019 local elections stating the Association of Albanian Municipalities did not have the jurisdiction to ask for the Constitutional Court’s review, and Democratic Party’s leader asked all politicians to undergo a comprehensive vetting process. Rama stated that Escobar had affirmed the US President Biden administration’s support for the Open Balkan Initiative. Meta is likely to set a date for elections in the concerning municipalities. The vetting procedure would determine the links to organized crime and source of wealth, prohibiting anyone with a criminal record from assuming office.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Republika Srpska’s National Assembly adopted the Transfer Of Competencies Information, the US, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, and the EU Delegation defined the Information’s adoption as an additional escalation step, and NATO reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the country’s sovereignty. The taxation, judicial, and defense competencies should transfer to the entity level in the next six months. The Commander of the Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Admiral Robert P. Burke, stated that “this headquarters has sought to help the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina create a better future, as NATO stands as a steadfast partner with this proud nation until the job is done.”
Croatia
EU Council agreed the county fulfilled all criteria to join the Borderless Schengen Area, the Government confirmed China’s Norinco initiated trial operation of 230 million euros ($260 million) wind farm, and President Milanovic criticized Prime Minister Plenkovic’s visit to Ukraine. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Johansson stated that “Croatia is ready.” The majority shareholder in the Senj wind farm project, Norinco, confirmed the wind farm should generate 530 million kWh of electricity per year. Milanovic expressed concern that the trip could harm Croatia’s relations with Russia.
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti reaffirmed his position on establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities over the meeting with EU top diplomat Borrell in Brussels, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Haradinaj stated that Kurti supports the energy mafia by rejecting the American gas pipeline project, and the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on controversial Kosovo-Serb Businessman Zvonko Veselinovic. Kurti stated that such an association would turn the county into a dysfunctional state similar to Bosnia-Herzegovina. OFAC also imposed sanctions against Veselinovic’s brother, Zarko, and another controversial businessman, Milan Radojicic.
Montenegro
The country’s nine-month net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow increased 2.0% year-to-year, the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) lost local elections in Mojkovac, and President Djukanovic said the Victoria Trust existed only on paper. The central bank stated that the total FDI inflow increased to 599.9 million euros ($677 million) in the first nine months of 2021 from 506.8 million euros ($572 million) in the same period of 2020. DF and coalition parties won seventeen seats, compared to DPS’s fourteen seats. Non-governmental organization MANS previously revealed copies of agreements on establishing trusts and companies in offshore destinations allegedly formed by Djukanovic and his son.
North Macedonia
DAS Escobar reaffirmed the US support for the country’s quick European integration, the county joined the NATO Air Policing System, and the Albanian Alliance Party voted to join the present Parliamentary majority. Escobar stated that the country “should have a seat at the (EU) table.” In return, the party should lead three ministries and several agencies.
Serbia
The Government has signed an agreement with Russian nuclear engineer Rosatom to build Nuclear Science and Technology Center, EU opened the “Green Agenda” Cluster amid environmental protests, and a new Russian Pantsyr Air Defense System acquisition. The center will open over the next three years and include a cyclotron complex to produce radioactive isotopes in medicine. The system defends ground units against ballistic missiles, precision-guided munitions, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones.