Albania
Prime Minister Rama criticized the US ambassador, the anti-organized crime agreement signed with the UK, and Mafia allegedly bribed Albanian officials. The US ambassador Kim called for transparency in party financing, vote-buying prevention, and criminals-free parliament, facing Rama’s criticism for alleged interference. The government signed an agreement with the UK tackling organized crime by strengthening economic and security ties. Special Prosecution Office launched an investigation against senior officials securing organized crime syndicate Ndragheta building permits and concessions to launder money.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
International Organization for Migration warned social friction is worsening, migrants and locals urge the EU to unlock its gate, while the county faced accusations for an alleged migrant-related border performance. IOM warns that the flow of migrants, combined with the politicians’ nationalist rhetoric, could worsen instability and fragility in the country. Migrants have been trying to leave the country illegally, expecting more understanding from the EU. Croatian Deputy Prime Minister Bozinovic accused B&H of allegedly bringing migrants illegally when Italian EU parliamentarians were supposed to appear at the border.
Croatia
Italian politicians restricted from accessing the border with B&H, massive anti-COVID-19 restrictions protests in Zagreb, and COVID-19 cases steadily decrease. Italian Members of the European Parliament have met police blockade to check allegations of police violence towards migrants. The country witnessed a massive protest from small business owners prompted as police detained a business owner who opened his gym to protest against the COVID-19 restrictions. With new 549 cases on February 5th, the country experienced a steady decrease from the highest 4,620 cases on December 10th, 2020.
Kosovo
Diaspora voters ready to vote and surveys predict Vetevendosje Party’s victory as the EU warns Kosovo against the opening embassy in Jerusalem. Over 102,000 diaspora voting applications have been approved by the Kosovo Central Election Commission, a significant increase from 40,000 cases for the 2019 parliamentary elections. With a survey’s margin error of 1.5 percent, Vetevendosje, led by Kurti, jointly with Vjosa Osmani’s list, is excepted to win 51.3 percent of votes. The EU had asked Kosovo not to open an embassy in Jerusalem and commit to the EU stance and UN Security Council Resolution 478, placing foreign embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv.
Montenegro
A coup verdict on two Russians was overturned, the previous government’s officials under investigation and new authorities move to fire the special prosecutor. The Appeals Court said violations of the criminal law marred the 2019 verdict over an attempted coup against the pro-Western government in 2016. Special prosecutor for organized crime Katnic launched an investigation after Prime Minister Krivokapic accused the previous government’s officials of destroying confidential documents on alleged illegal and unauthorized surveillance. The new parliamentary majority has proposed a Law to dismiss the Special prosecutor.
North Macedonia
Tender for construction of Negotino-Gevgelija gas pipeline in 2021, inclusion in the US-Germany common interests list, and NATO equipment donation. The 68-kilometer Negotino-Gevgelija natural gas pipeline will connect to the Shtip-Negotino pipeline, joining the Trans Adriatic Pipeline through Greece. President Pendarovski welcomed the US-German solutions for the country’s internal-external issues. NATO donated 60 sets of ventilator equipment, benefiting patients in urgent need in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals in Skopje, Tetovo, Stip, Bitola, Ohrid, and Prilep.
Serbia
President Vucic met President Macron in Paris and talked to President Putin on the phone, while the Serbian Assembly Chairman Dacic talked on Kosovo. President Vucic thanked France for the country’s EU support, emphasizing President Macron’s role in successfully conducting the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue. President Vucic and Russian President Putin talked about strengthening technological development and innovations, military-technical and energy cooperation, and active Russian support on Kosovo’s issue. Chairman Dacic asserted that recently established diplomatic relations between Israel and Kosovo would disrupt Serbia-Israel relations, adding that withdrawal of Kosovo’s recognition is an unstoppable process only temporarily halted.