Albania
Border control with Kosovo was removed, Prime Minister Rama on unification with Kosovo, and President Meta visited Kosovo. While Kosovo citizens will be able to get a five-year residence and work permit in Albania, Albanian citizens will be in a position to move to Kosovo. Rama stated he would vote “yes” in a future referendum for unification with Kosovo, “but only if such a referendum is conducted peacefully and democratically.” Meta met all political leaders in what may be his last visit as the President.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
High Representative Schmidt said Serb Presidency Member Dodik had suspended plans to establish a separate army, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Varhelyi warned that the ongoing blockade might result in lost significant investments, and coal miners protested against lower wages. Dodik might less likely pull back from disrupting the state legal and tax system. Dodik stated there are other alternative sources of funding. The Bosniak-Croat Federation Government reduced the miners’ basic wage from 432 euros ($489) to 290 euros ($328).
Croatia
French President Macron in an official visit as the Government approved the purchase of 12 used Rafale fighter jets worth 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion), Intersec GeoSafe became a new national public warning system, and costs for Croatian banks to switch to euro revealed. Macron also met Mate Rimac of the Rimac Group, who presented the Rimac’s Nevera and the Bugatti’s Chiron Super Sport. The Croatian Association of Banks provided a rough estimate of some 100 million euros ($113 million).
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti announced that the four northern municipalities would soon start paying electricity, Head of EU Office Szunyog condemned incidents against non-majority communities in Gjakove and Prizren, and Kosovo Visa Liberalization Process became a part of the next German Government’s coalition agreement. Kurti said this would be possible with the help of the Energy Regulatory Office, the European Union, and other partners. A bar in Gjakova had refused to serve a group of youngsters belonging to minority communities. Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats made the issues one of their priorities.
Montenegro
DF proposed a new government with a new prime minister, Prime Minister Krivokapic said that minority government is a high-risk move, and President Djukanovic for new elections. Deputy Prime Minister Abazovic stated that he is not interested in becoming the new prime minister. Djukanovic sees a minority government only as an interim solution.
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Zaev resigned as head of the Social Democratic Party (SDSM), Kovacevski was still to be elected as SDSM leader, and President Pendarovski met the Bosnia-Herzegovina Armed Forces Chief of the Joint Staff Senad Masovic. Zaev is still trying to appoint Kovacevski as the next party leader and possibly future Prime Minister. Kovacevski confirmed he would run for SDSM party leader. Pendarovski and Masovic discussed the opportunities for boosting cooperation through cadets’ training exchange.
Serbia
President Vucic praised Russian President Putin for a “favorable” gas deal, Governor Tabakovic said 37 tons of gold reserves from Switzerland are moved to the central bank’s treasury, and demonstrators protested against new laws they say favor interests of foreign investors devastating the environment. The gas price will remain $270 for the next six months with an increase in delivery quantity. The protestors pledged further activities until the laws on property expropriation and referendum were not withdrawn.