Albania
Prime Minister Rama defends Kosovo sovereignty, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Tirana, and regional journalism organizations asked the EU to protect media freedom. Rama criticized Serbian authorities for the “theatrical military maneuvers.” Von der Leyen pledged her best to organize an Inter-Governmental conference with Albania and North Macedonia this year. SafeJournalists Network sent a letter of concern to the EU Commissioner Varhelyi, asking for protection and support for investigative journalism in the country.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Presidency Member Dodik met with the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) Gabriel Escobar, the US urged Dodik to halt secessionist rhetoric, and special US envoy Matthew Palmer on election reform. Dodik stated that he does not care about the US sanctions. Escobar warned Dodik that his political moves would result in sanctions. Palmer said the US is interested in limited, targeted changes to the Constitution that would remove ethnic prefixes from the elections for the Presidency and the House of Peoples of the Federation while satisfying the principles: one country, two entities, three constituent peoples.
Croatia
Prime Minister Plenkovic commented on the ongoing crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina, President Milanovic on available EU funds, and Central Bank Governor Boris Vujcic expressed concerns over the current inflation. Plenkovic said that Croatia stands for equality of all people living in the neighboring country. Milanovic stated the government should secure four times more funds from the typical 266 million euros ($308 million) annually. Vujcic noted that inflation is the most significant risk for the county’s plan to join the Eurozone.
Kosovo
De-escalation agreement reached in Brussels, the US-funded gas pipeline rejected, and Alliance of the Future of Kosovo’s Chairman Haradinaj accused Prime Minister Kurti of both situations. Serbs will remove their blockades while Kosovo Special Police Units will withdraw their troops. Minister of Economy Rizvanolli said the lack of information on the project’s contribution to the country’s energy transition led to this decision. Haradinaj stated that the license plates deal with Serbia and US-funded gas pipeline rejection ruined the county’s perspective.
Montenegro
Deputy Prime Minister Abazovic chaired Security and Defense Committee’s discussion on events in Cetinje Monastery, Prime Minister Krivokapic initiated consultations with the ruling partners, and the New Serb Democracy President Andria Mandic is open for future cooperation. Abazovic stated the event left a bitter taste because it had not been organized peacefully. Krivokapic noted that he would support agreement and compromise backed by 41 parliamentary majority members, which is a condition for establishing political stability. Mandic said he is ready for a deal that will satisfy all majority parties and benefit the citizens.
North Macedonia
Census points to a significant population decrease, Prime Minister Zaev met with von der Leyen, and Greece will not support Bulgaria in the ongoing dispute. The preliminary results suggest a reduction of around 190,000 compared to the previous census in 2001. Von der Leyen praised the country’s progress stating that “now the EU must deliver.” Prime Minister Mitsotakis said Greece would continue to support the county’s EU perspective.
Serbia
President Vucic praised over de-escalation agreement achieved with official Prishtina, officially inaugurated a cross-border gas link with Hungary, and the Nis-Prishtina motorway construction is about to start. Prime Minister Brnabic stated that this is “Belgrade’s great diplomatic victory, President Vucic’s great diplomatic victory.” Hungarian foreign minister Szijjarto said the new gas link would transport up to 8.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Hungary annually, with 32% of the first year’s supply already contracted. State-owned motorway construction company Koridori Srbije has signed a contract with Austria’s Strabag to construct a 5.1 km stretch of the Nis-Plocnik section.