Albania
Prime Minister Rama faced criticism at the OSCE South-Eastern Europe Media Forum in Tirana, President’s Meta impeachment case transferred to the Constitutional Court, and Parliament Speaker Nikolla met North Macedonia Ambassador Markovski. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, expressed her readiness to assist the authorities in strengthening the media environment in line with international standards and OSCE commitments. Nikolla stated that the two countries have an excellent relationship contributing to the “Europeanization of the Western Balkan region.”
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency Member Dodik said sanctions would result in secession, Croat Presidency Member Komsic stated that the State Prosecutor’s Office could press charges against Dodik, and Bosniak Presidency Member Dzaferovic said that without respect to the state, there would be no entities. Dodik stated that if NATO decides to intervene, “we will ask for the help of our friends who told us clearly and loudly that they never let their friends down.” The State Forces might react if there is no reaction from the International Community. Dzaferovic stated that Dodik is doing a futile job that will not end as he plans.
Croatia
President Milanovic attended STRIKE 21 military drill in Slunj, the Government limited the maximum price of fuel, and the Supreme Court partially upheld the verdict in the “Fimi media” case in which the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ) were accused of withdrawing state institutions finds. Milanovic called the drill impressive and thanked the soldiers for protecting the Homeland. The Government decision ends in thirty days. HDZ’s Jandrokovic stated that there could be no collective responsibility as only a few knew about the illicit activities.
Kosovo
Prime Minister Kurti reacted to tensions linked to an “anti-smuggling operation in the north,” AAK’s Chairman Haradinaj demanded clarification on the operation ground from the Government, and the Serbian List’s president Goran Rakic on Serb-majority Communities formation. Kurti said police would stop criminal groups from bringing illegal contraband into the country. Haradinaj expressed suspicion that the operation may be for election purposes. Rakic stated that the Serbs would abandon the Brussels agreement if official Prishtina did not establish the Communities by the end of the year.
Montenegro
Prime Minister Krivokapic tried again to dismiss the Police Directorate Chief Zoran Brdjanin, DF’s Jovan Vucurovic on the future coalition, and Former Head of the sector in the National Security Agency Luka Bulatovic found dead. URA’s Abazovic helped Brdjanin keep his position. Vucurovic stated there would be no government reshuffle excluding NSD’s Andrija Mandic. Chief Special Prosecutor Katnic noted that there is a basis for suspicion that someone committed a criminal offense.
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Zaev on the energy crisis, the first round of local election kicked off, and Government ranked first in openness index of the Western Balkans. Zaev stated that the prices would not change for the rest of the year. Police arrested five citizens for bribing voters ahead of local elections. The Government met 83.43% of the criteria for openness.
Serbia
President Vucic asked EU Special representative Lajcak “to restrain Prishtina, and if they are not capable – we will restrain them,” Prime Minister Brnabic on official Prishtina’s action in north Kosovo, and Vucic welcomed more than 105 countries delegations of the Non-Aligned Movement. Kosovo Serbs asked Vucic for protection after one demonstrator had been wounded in a clash with the Kosovo Special Forces. Brnabic called on NATO and KFOR to react to the situation and protect the Serb community after “alleged” raids on suspected goods smugglers. Vucic welcomed the delegations and stated that Serbia “with its struggle for Kosovo and Metohija, it defends the universal principles of the United Nations and the key values of the Non-Aligned Movement.”