Albania
The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) detected the ruling party’s advantage in the latest elections, Covid-19’s delta variant reached the country, and Joint Border Control Points were established with North Macedonia. ODIHR identified public figures misusing administrative resources during their official engagements. The Control Points were established with help from the United States Agency for International Development as one of the steps towards EU accession.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serb Parties boycott work in the state institutions over the Genocide Denial Law, the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Non-Application of the Decision of the High Representative, and new High Representative Christian Schmidt arrived in the country. National Assembly Speaker Cubrilovic said that “the representatives of the RS parties have decided not to participate in the work of the Presidency, Parliament and the Council of Ministers of BiH…and will not make decisions until this is resolved.” As decided, the decision of the High Representative will not be applied in the Republika Srpska. Schmidt stated all political subjects should lower the present tensions.
Croatia
Nikola Tesla to feature on 50, 20, and 10-euro cent coins, China-constructed Peljesac Bridge connects the coastline near Dubrovnik, and President Plenkovic on bilateral relations with Kosovo. Serbian Central Bank called this act “inappropriate,” adding that it would take the issue to the EU as Tesla was ethnic Serb. The EU-funded Peljesac Bridge now connects the Croatian coastline divided by a slight stretch of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s territory. Plenkovic stated a mutual understanding exists between those who “know how demanding the path to independence and state-building is.”
Kosovo
Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz likely to stop acting as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, the monasteries of Visoki Decani, Gracanica, the Patriarchate of Peja and the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviska in Prizren remain on the UNESCO’s World Heritage in Danger list, and President Osmani posthumously awarded a medal to Joseph Robinette Biden III. Gërvalla-Schwarz will continue to act as Deputy Prime Minister as changes within the current government begin. Biden was awarded for his contribution to the country’s progress.
Montenegro
No agreement over the new Prosecutorial Council, the Army’s Chief of the General Staff Djurovic visited the NATO Joint Force Command in Naples, and Defense Ministry’s State Secretary Sandra Bulatovic was relieved of her post. The parliamentary majority failed to reach an agreement on the final list of candidates. Djurovic stated that the country continues to contribute to global stability through cooperation with NATO allies. Bulatovic was dismissed on Minister Injac’s request for not fulfilling obligations within the competence of the State Secretary.
North Macedonia
The Open Balkans Initiative was signed in Skopje, former officials sentenced for participating in the 2017 Parliament Attack, and the UK establishes a permanent military training team in the country. Serbian President Vucic, Albanian Prime Minister Rama, and Prime Minister Zaev agreed to abolish border controls from January 1, 2023. Among the sentenced for the attack is former parliament Speaker Veljanoski, former Senior Intelligence Official Atanasovski, and Ministers Janakieski and Ristovski. The Western Balkans Land Regional Coordination Cell will involve a small military team coordinating UK training into the region.
Serbia
The Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK) published transcripts from a suspected criminal group’s leader claiming President Vucic was constantly asking him for favors, Vucic ensures economic and any other form of support to the Republika Srpska, and new protests against the Rio Tinto mining project. KRIK published part of Valjko Belivuk’s testimony where he claims to be intimidating anti-government protesters, ensuring that an LGBTIQ parade was held without incident, and preventing taxi drivers in Belgrade from protesting against the mandatory installation of a mobile application at Vucic’s request. Protestors said the project poses an environmental danger to their region.