Albania
Parliament elected Armela Krasniqi as the new Head Media Authority, Special Forces participated in the Turkish “Anadolu-21” Joint Special Forces exercise, and removal agreement signed with the UK. The EU criticized the election as Krasniqi has been seen as a close associate of Prime Minister Rama. The agreement allows Albanian criminals removal from the UK at a much faster pace.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosniak and Croat Presidency member’s delegations attended the Srebrenica commemoration, proposal to declare July 11th as Day of Morning delayed, and Serbs marked the anniversary of suffering in the middle Podrinje area. The delegations attended the commemoration for 8,000 war victims. The Chairman of the Council of Ministers Tegeltija stated that he did not have the opportunity to consider the decision due to objective and procedural reasons. The Republika Srpska Prime Minister Viskovic commemorated 3,500 war victims in Bratunac.
Croatia
Mate Rimac of Rimac Automobili takes control over Bugatti, the EU approves a 6.3 billion euros ($7.5 billion) COVID-19 recovery plan, and the European Commission’s President Von der Leyen met President Plenkovic. Volkswagen folded Bugatti brand into a joint venture with electric supercar maker Rimac. Von der Leyen has decided to personally deliver the national recovery and resilience plan to the country.
Kosovo
Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Srebrenica genocide, special US State Department envoy Palmer on genocide lawsuit against Serbia, and contract for military vehicles from Turkey signed. 89 lawmakers in the 120-seat Parliament approved the resolution with no votes against it. Palmer said Kosovo would have to provide strong evidence if it decides to sue Serbia for genocide. The contract includes 14 armored military vehicles, with four Vuran type vehicles and ten KIRPI type vehicles equipped with weapons.
Montenegro
The Government brokered a deal to pay off China dept, Prime Minister Krivokapic on an official visit to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and special US State Department envoy Palmer on bilateral relations. Minister of Finance Spajic said that a deal was made with two unnamed US banks and one French bank. Krivokapic acknowledged the EBRD contribution in road and railway transport, energy, and small and medium enterprises. Palmer emphasized friendly and stable bilateral relations, with more space for strengthening the economy, adding that future diplomatic contacts will lead to that goal.
North Macedonia
Natural gas pipeline agreement with Greece signed, Slovenian Prime Minister Jansa on EU accession, and Government embraced opposition’s red line in Bulgaria talks. The project worth 110 million euros ($130 million) with a 123-kilometer pipeline will be capable of transporting at least 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. Jansa wants to see the country’s accession on top of the EU agenda. The ruling Social Democrats have decided to support VMRO DPMNE’s draft resolution on the Macedonian language and identity.
Serbia
President Vucic gave a statement on the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CCP), the Serbia-Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement enters into force, and Hungarian Prime Minister Orban on the country’s EU accession. Vucic said the official Belgrade wants to continue strengthening ties with China, praising official Beijing for supporting his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Orban stated the Western Balkans without Serbia would not be fully integrated into the EU.