Albania
The opposition led protests against Prime Minister Rama and rising prices, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev visited Tirana, and the country joined the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The protesters clashed with the Police protecting Prime Minister Office building. Aliyev met Rama and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Belinda Balluku and discussed the issues of mutual interest to the two countries. The country can now utilize the EU’s disaster risk management system’s expertise, tools, and resources to better cope with emergencies.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
SNSD’s leader Dodik was sworn in as President of the Republika Srpska, the Presidency members were inaugurated, and HDZ’s leader Covic listed conditions to form the Federation B&H Government. Dodik won the election with 48.14% of the votes. Serb Presidency member Cvijanovic stated, “I am a legalist, and I want to preserve the organic connection with Republika Srpska because the citizens elected me.” Covic said his party would participate only without the Democratic Front and with amended Election Law.
Croatia
President Milanovic decided against opening a training camp for Ukrainian soldiers, Prime Minister Plenkovic commented on the new profit tax, and the Independent Democratic Serb Party Pupovac paid tribute to the innocent Vukovar victims. Milanovic stated, “Minister of Foreign Affairs Gordan Grlic Radman went to Brussels without my consent and assumed a categorical obligation on behalf of Croatia, thereby violating the Constitution.” Plenkovic noted, “This is burden sharing in the crisis, redirecting those who have less, not punishing the successful.” Pupovac said,” We threw one wreath into the Danube for victims of Serbian origin, another for victims of Croatian nationality.”
Kosovo
The EU visa liberalization decision was postponed to the end of 2023, the Serb List would boycott the North Kosovo local elections, and European Union High Commissioner Borrell expressed severe concerns over the potential conflict with Serbia. France, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain demanded additional security guarantees to end the EU visa requirement. Borrell stated, “We are unhappily on the edge of another crisis, and we have to get out of this crisis mode and look for a structural approach.”
Montenegro
The outgoing Prime Minister Abazovic appealed to the deputies to vote for the Constitutional Court judges, President Djukanovic described the Serb Orthodox Church (SOC) as the most significant threat to the region, and Parliament Speaker Djurovic announced that the representatives of the parliamentary parties failed to reach agreement on the Constitutional Court. Abazovic stated, “If we can’t vote for four, let’s vote for at least one.” Djukanovic said, “Balkan nationalisms and cleric-nationalisms that support the SOC are the biggest threat to the region’s stability.” Djurovic noted, “But if it’s going to be for everyone to talk about the problems, and they stay nailed in their trenches, then I don’t see the purpose of those meetings.”
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Kovacevski signed a gas-related agreement with Albanian Prime Minister Rama, the Union of Journalists called for more legal protection, and the country could add some 300 MW in solar power by the end of 2023. The agreement aims to intensify cooperation in gas infrastructure and renewable energy and the construction of an LNG terminal in Vlora, Albania. The Union’s president Mladen Cadikovski noted, “In 2022, we have six attacks against journalists and media workers.” Kovacevski stated, “After 30 years and many unsuccessful attempts, the implementation of the Cebren hydropower plant project will finally begin, a strategic project of several decades, with an estimated investment of 800 million euros.”
Serbia
President Vucic announced a 33 billion euros investment in energy infrastructure, 38 members of the organized criminal group “Vracarci” were arrested for several murders, and Prime Minister Brnabic opened Luxsoft Development Center. Vucic stated, “We will have to change our habits and implement reforms, work in another way. We must do it as soon as possible, or we will face a real disaster.” Brnabic said that this group was also a threat to Vucic. The CEO of Luxoft, Dmitrij Loscinin, stated, “We are sad that we had to leave Russia. But business is growing. I hope we will attract more people, here and globally.”