Albania
The Government announced new gas and solar plans, German diplomat Christiane Hohmann was appointed as the next EU Ambassador, and a 25 million euros loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development would help the healthcare sector. Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Belinda Balluku stated, “we have approved two photovoltaic parks which will be built in the Korca region, each of 20 MW…with the production division for the development and production of hydrocarbons in the natural gas source in Frakull and Povelce.” Previously, Hohmann served as the German Ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina for two years. The funds would benefit the cardiac surgery hospital, the burns hospital, psychiatric facilities, and the rehabilitation of Kruje and Lezha hospital.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The US administration sanctioned senior Serb and Croat politicians, the High Representative Schmidt imposed a decision on financing the general elections, and the Council of Ministers (CoM) President Zoran Tegeltija attended the Open Balkan Summit in Ohrid as an observer. The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the Bosniak-Croat Federation President Marinko Campara and the Republic of Srpska Health Minister Alen Seranic for undermining the Dayton Peace Agreement. The CoM adopted a Special Decision granting the Central Election Commission 5 million euros. Tegeltija stated that he expects the Presidency to decide on joining the Initiative.
Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic reiterated his support to the pilots Serbia indicted on war crimes, Central Bank Governor Vujcic predicted that 2022 inflation could reach 9%, and President Milanovic stated that there would be no Bosnia-Herzegovina without the Croatian Army. Plenkovic noted, “it is out of the question that the victorious Croatian army, to which we owe freedom and independence, is now ex-post legal acts in neighboring countries.” Vujcic noted that “the current crisis is geopolitical, we have a large-scale war in Europe, which definitely impacts economic prospects and projections.” Milanovic said that the Croats living in Bosnia-Herzegovina deserve a sense of justice after the Croatian Army’s intervention.
Kosovo
The Government would apply for the EU membership this year, still refuses to participate in the Open Balkan Initiative, and faces war veterans’ protests. Prime Minister Kurti shared his EU accession plan with German Chancellor Scholz in Pristina. Kurti stated that Kosovo would join the Initiative once Kosovo’s sovereignty is recognized regionally. The protestors demand higher pensions.
Montenegro
Prime Minister Abazovic attended the Open Balkan Summit in Ohrid as an observer, and President Djukanovic met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Government provided additional military assistance to Ukraine. Abazovic stated that his Government would consider joining the Initiative in the future. The Defense Ministry noted, “Montenegro’s military and humanitarian aid testify to the selfless support for the brave Ukrainian people.”
North Macedonia
The Government condemned the arson of the Bulgarian Ivan Mihailov Cultural Center in Bitola, Bulgaria set three conditions for lifting the EU accession veto, and the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Várhelyi participated in the Open Balkan Summit in Ohrid. The center was open in April and faced retaliation over the ongoing bilateral dispute. Bulgarian conditions are compliance with the framework position adopted by the Bulgarian parliament, the inclusion of Bulgarians in the constitution of North Macedonia, and Neighborhood Agreement implementation. Várhelyi welcomed the “renewed impetus by leaders in the Western Balkans to advance on regional integration.”
Serbia
NATO neighbours blocked Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit, German Chancellor Scholz met President Vucic in Belgrade, and SPS President Ivica Dacic announced a coalition with Vucic’s SNS in Belgrade. Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Montenegro closed their airspace to the plane. Vucic and Scholz disagreed over sanctions against Russia and recognizing Kosovo as an independent state. Dacic stated there had been no agreement on forming a republican government with the SNS thus far.