Vučić: "If Kurti doesn't like it, he can try to do something. I wouldn't advise him"

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The meeting between the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the delegation of the Republic of Srpska ended.

SOURCE: B92 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 | 12:50

 

The delegation from Banja Luka is led by the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, and the President of the Republic of Srpska, Zeljka Cvijanovic.

The meeting was held in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Serbia.

In addition to Vučić, the meeting is also attended by the Prime Minister of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, as well as Ministers Nikola Selaković and Aleksandar Vulin.

After the meeting, the President of Serbia said that there were talks on important issues.

"These are not easy and simple days for the Serbian people. It seems that it is allowed to say anything against Serbia... Everyone is silent," Vucic said at the press conference.

"The fact is that (Albin) Kurti is blackmailing us, but I will treat him like any representative of temporary institutions. If he doesn't like it, he can try to do something. I wouldn't advise him," Vucic added.

Speaking about the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vučić announced that according to the annex to the agreement, he will ask for daily reports and express his views and listen if RS has something to say about it.

After the meeting, Dodik said that the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina should be abolished and pointed out that his party did not want to abolish the Dayton Agreement.

"We are not the anti-Dayton party in Bosnia-Herzegovina," he said.

"Recognition of Kosovo? I would be surprised"

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US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer said in Pristina that the best way to end the dialogue would be for Serbia to recognize Kosovo.

SOURCE: KOSOVO ONLINE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021 | 07:02

However, US Balkan expert Daniel Serwer is pessimistic about mutual recognition.

Serwer told RTV "Dukagjini" that, although Biden administration took the job of dialogue more seriously, he does not expect recognition in the near future, reports Kosovo online.

"I don't think an agreement can be reached in the near future. I would be surprised if any other developments happen in the next meetings. I think the Biden administration is much more committed to recognizing Kosovo's independence and sovereignty within its current borders, but I doubt it will happen any time soon. It's best to ask Lajcak and Palmer. Some new arrangements are possible on things like missing people and finances, but I doubt there will be a recognition agreement," Serwer concluded.

Albanian parties against free transit of Serbs through North Macedonia

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The Albanian parties Alliance for Albanians and Alternative in North Macedonia want to challenge the decision on free tolls for drivers from Serbia.

SOURCE: NOVOSTI MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 | 08:40

Namely, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev made the decision to introduce relief for the citizens of Serbia during the summer season in gratitude for the donated contingents of vaccines against coronavirus infection, Belgrade media report.

The opposition Coalition of the Alliance for Albanians and Alternatives, as announced in Skopje, submitted an initiative to the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia to assess the legality of the Government's decision exempting Serbian citizens from paying tolls in transit through this country, Novosti reports.

The basis of the initiative submitted to the Constitutional Court lies in the allegations that the government's decision is contrary to the Law on Tolls, and at the same time, as it is claimed, puts the country's citizens, as well as foreign citizens from neighboring countries in transit through North Macedonia in an unequal position.

"By deciding to allocate 200.000 toll exemption cards for tourists from Serbia, the government discriminates against all other neighbors from which the country also benefits, through cooperation and good neighborly relations. The Ministry of Finance will spend almost three million euros on these cards, money from our fellow citizens, which came as a consequence of the inability of the Government and the Ministry of Health to provide vaccines against COVID-19", the Albanian opposition parties said in a statement, calling on the Skopje administration to change the decision.

As a sign of gratitude to Serbia for the donated vaccines against coronavirus, the Government of North Macedonia decided on May 25 that Serbian tourists in transit through this country be exempted from paying tolls in the period from June 15 to August 15, 2021.

The information of the Public Company for State Roads and the Ministry of Transport and Communications on the preparation of 200.000 electronic cards "M-smart card" for passenger motor vehicles of tourists from Serbia in transit on Corridor 10 during the summer season was adopted.