Albania
Netherlands about to give the green light to the EU integration talks, Maritime Delimitation Case with Greece about to speed up at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, and a 5G network Memorandum of Understanding signed with the U.S. Netherland’s Parliament voted in favor of opening the country’s accession negotiations with the condition that its European Commission’s member constantly monitors it. Prime Minister Rama and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, agreed to speed up legal procedures in front of the court. Rama and the U.S. Secretary of State Blinken signed the MoU noting the partnership in telecommunications.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The Presidency Chairman Dodik signed the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Declaration at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, President Aliyev signs law on establishing the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Sarajevo, and the present migrants’ situation in the country not easing. The SEECP Declaration calls for SEECP participants to step up European and Euro-Atlantic integration, crucial for the region’s stability and prosperity. 4,329 migrants and asylum-seekers are accommodated in reception facilities, while between 1,800 and 2,500 persons were estimated to squat outside formal accommodation.
Croatia
President Milanovic at NATO Summit in Brussels, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders on slow judiciary and corruption, and Foreign Minister Grlic Radman called on remaining EU countries to recognize Kosovo. Milanovic was pleased that the concluding document included a reference to the Dayton Accords in the section of the text referring to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Reynders said the most critical issues are the fight against corruption at the local level and the judicial system’s slow digitalization. Grlic Radman stated the remaining recognitions would contribute to stabilizing the region and Kosovo itself.
Kosovo
President Osmani dismissed the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Daka, mass vaccination against COVID-19 commenced, and Prime Minister Kurti ignores U.S. Ambassador Kosnett’s call for establishing the Association of Serb majority municipalities. Daka has been replaced for “not managed to be an independent force against political polarization,” after previously clashing with Vetevendosje after CEC placed a verification process for those voting by mail. Kurti stated that the legal and constitutional order does not allow creating an association on an ethnic basis.
Montenegro
Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Srebrenica genocide, Justice Minister Leposavic sacked over Srebrenica genocide denial, and the budget for 2021 approved. Parliament has adopted a resolution condemning the Srebrenica genocide with 55 votes in favor and 19 against the 81-member assembly. MPs voted by 43 to 27 to replace Leposavic for disputing that the Srebrenica case amounted to genocide. The budget was backed by 42 MPs, with revenue set at 1.88 billion euros, up by 14.6% y/y, and projected spending at 2.02 billion euros, down 2.2% y/y.
North Macedonia
Prime Minister Zaev at NATO Summit in Brussels, Foreign Minister Osmani at Global Security Forum “GLOBSEC 2021” in Bratislava, and the first private wind farm in the country. Zaev stated that all member states should support “a predictable, credible and re-intensified EU and NATO integration processes” for the region. Osmani said that the region’s future is in the EU, which opted for the Euro-Atlantic alliance against common threats. A financing package totaling EUR 51 million has been arranged for Bogoslovec, the second wind farm in the country.
Serbia
President Vucic on Montenegrin Parliament passing resolution condemning Srebrenica genocide, Interior Minister Vulin on potential consequences for Montenegrin MPs, and the country became Europe’s no. 2 copper producer. Vucic stated that he did not expect this act from those who were always closest to Serbia. Vulin said he would seek a ban on entering Serbia for those who voted on the Srebrenica Genocide Resolution. Zijin Bor Copper plans to open a mine in the Cukaru Peki Upper Zone of Serbia’s Timok copper-gold project, investing 398 million euros ($474 million) in the development of the mine, which will have a capacity to produce 3.3 million tons of ore annually.