Albania
Bajram Begaj has sworn in as a new President, Prime Minister Rama dismissed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for State Reconstruction Arben Ahmetaj, and reached Agreement on pension recognition with Italy. President Begaj stated, “I won’t stand neutral to anyone putting personal interests above those of our nation.” The new Deputy Prime Minister is Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku. Rama stated, “About 500,000 Albanians are expected to benefit from its entry into force.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina
High Representative Schmidt offered the political leaders to postpone imposing changes on the Election Law, SDA’s leader Izetbegovic stated that the Bosniaks are ready for a potential armed conflict, and HDZ’s Covic welcomed Schmidt’s intention to amend the Election Law. The Islamic Community urged Schmidt to give up the three percent threshold as it would lead to further ethnic rifts. The US Embassy announced they were shocked by Izetbegovic’s inflammable comments. Covic stated, “We call on our colleagues from Sarajevo to follow what they have been advocating for the last ten years – that Bosnia and Herzegovina really be to the standards of all nations.”
Croatia
The Peljesac Bridge officially opened, Prime Minister Plenkovic was appalled by Izetbegovic’s statement, and President Milanovic stated that High Representative Schmidt does not have legitimacy. The bridge will provide an uninterrupted link between southernmost Croatia and the rest of the country by bypassing a short stretch of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s coastline. Plenkovic stated, “I was horrified by Izetbegovic’s statement. This goes beyond all limits.” Milanovic noted that he has to agree with the Serb Presidency Member Dodik when he says the UN Security Council did not choose Schmidt.
Kosovo
The Government is about to start issuing temporary IDs for Serbian citizens, Prime Minister Kurti and President Osmani met the Secretary of State Blinken in Washington, and the trade gap expanded 30.5% year-over-year in June. Kurti stated that documents and license plate reciprocity are following the law. Osmani said the US administration agreed that the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue should focus on recognition. Exports rose to 74.6 million euros ($74.6 million), while imports to 492.8 million euros in June.
Montenegro
Prime Minister Abazovic said that he would sign the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) in August, the Government froze property of two unnamed EU-sanctioned Russians, and Abazovic welcomed the Committee for Political System, Judiciary, and Administration’s decision to choose candidates for the Judicial Council. President Djukanovic stated, “Voters, courts, and history will judge that.” The Committee decides Faculty of Law professors Radoje Korac and Nebojsa Vucinic, as well as lawyers Dragan Soc and Fikret Kurgas, as the best candidates.
North Macedonia
The Government narrowed the H1 budget deficit to 167.9 million euros, is about to declare a state of energy crisis in August, and has sent T-72 tanks to Ukraine. The budget was in deficit of 167.9 million euros in the first half of the year, compared with a $254 million budget gap in 2021. Economy Minister Bekteshi said state-owned companies would receive financial assistance for the upcoming heating season. Defense Minister Petrovska did not specify how many of the 31 tanks would reach Ukraine.
Serbia
President Vucic warned Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti that Serbia would react if Serbs in the North got under attack, the Serbian Progressive Party decided to candidate Vladimir Orlic for the new National Assembly President, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met Vucic in Belgrade. Vucic stated, “If they dare to persecute Serbs, mistreat Serbs, Serbia will win!” Ana Brnabic would likely extend her mandate as the Prime Minister. Sanchez described the bilateral relations as “excellent” and noted that Spain would support Serbia’s EU accession.