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EU: Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin talks to join bloc

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Bosnia and Herzegovina is set to begin negotiations for EU membership, marking a significant milestone eight years after the formal application was submitted. Following a recommendation from the European Commission last week, EU leaders have approved the initiation of talks. European Council President Charles Michel extended congratulations to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s leaders, affirming their place within the European family. He emphasized the importance of continued efforts for progress, a sentiment echoed by Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who expressed gratitude for achieving the necessary compliance with EU requirements.

The approval for Bosnia’s EU talks has been welcomed as a positive development by leaders across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hailed it as a good message for the entire region, while Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković described it as a historic day for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The road to EU membership has been long for Bosnia, with the country formally obtaining candidate status in 2022 after applying for membership in 2016. In the past year, Bosnia has made strides in passing laws aligned with EU priorities, particularly focusing on areas such as democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform.

Despite progress, Bosnia remains ethnically and politically divided, a legacy of the 1992-95 war. Further economic and democratic reforms will be necessary before formal EU accession can occur.

The EU’s commitment to the Western Balkans has been underscored by recent events, particularly in light of the conflict in Ukraine. Other countries in the region, including Albania, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine, are also at various stages of the EU application process.

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Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic claims big election victory for ruling party

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Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has declared victory in snap parliamentary elections, with his Serbian Progressive Party projected to secure almost 47% of the vote, potentially gaining an absolute majority in the National Assembly. Opposition parties, part of the Serbia Against Violence (SPN) coalition, lagged behind with around 23% and alleged electoral fraud in favor of the government, calling for a recount.

While the SPN had hoped to win control of Belgrade in local elections, initial results showed the ruling party slightly ahead in the capital. The SPN claimed electoral fraud, demanding the annulment of the vote in Belgrade and hinting at possible protests. The ruling party has been in power since 2012, and despite opposition efforts, it appears set to maintain control.

Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, faces pressure to normalize relations with Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. Ethnic Serbs in Kosovo crossed into Serbia to vote, adding a layer of complexity to the political landscape.

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As tensions rise, Serbia arrests Kosovo police officers

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Kosovo has sought the release of three border patrol personnel, accusing Serbia of ‘kidnapping’ them.

Serbian authorities reported they apprehended three “fully armed” Kosovo police officers near their common border, while Kosovo officials stated the trio was “kidnapped” while patrolling the region.

On Wednesday, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti condemned Serbia for the men’s kidnapping and demanded their release. They were apprehended 300 metres (330 yards) inside Kosovan territory near the border, he added.

“The entry of Serbian forces into Kosovo territory is an act of aggression aimed at escalation and destabilisation,” Kurti stated on his Facebook page.

Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla also condemned the “kidnapping,” which he described as “violating any agreement and violating international norms.”

The minister urged the international community to “immediately increase pressure on Serbia not only to release our police officers, but also to cease its provocations.”

However, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the three were apprehended as far as 1.8km (one mile) within Serbian territory, near the town of Gnjilica. Kurti was also accused of encouraging violence, according to him.

“We are at a fork in the road as to whether we will have peace or not… “And there is one man in the Balkans who wants to incite conflict at any cost – Albin Kurti,” Vucic remarked during a live TV broadcast.

He denied that Serbian police had entered Kosovo, claiming, “They did not even set foot there.”

Despite the fact that a NATO bombing operation forced Serbian security forces out of Kosovo in 1999, Belgrade continues to see it as a southern province.

Last month, riots in four primarily Serb communities in northern Kosovo, just outside Serbia, injured 30 NATO forces and 52 Serbs.

It erupted as Serbs protested against ethnic Albanian mayors who took office following a 3.5 percent turnout in a municipal election. The election was boycotted by Serbs in the area.

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Kosovo: Serbia puts troops on high alert over rising tensions

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After weeks of escalating tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, the Serbian army claims it is at its “highest level of combat readiness.” Asserting that he will “take all measures to protect our people and preserve Serbia,” President Aleksandar Vucic.

The threat-making is more pronounced than ever and comes in response to reports in Serbian media that Pristina is getting ready to launch “an attack” on ethnic Serb districts of north Kosovo. Regarding the charges, the Pristina administration has remained silent.

However, it has already charged Mr. Vucic with playing “games” to cause a commotion. After a conflict in 1998–1999, Kosovo, which has a predominately ethnic Albanian population, seceded from Serbia. Both Serbia and the ethnic Serbs who reside there reject Kosovo’s claim to independence.

Belgrade charges Kosovo with preparing “terrorism against Serbs” in regions where 50,000 people of ethnic Serb descent reside.

Pristina claims Belgrade is responsible for the “paramilitary formations” that erected barricades on December 10 in the majority-Serb regions of north Kosovo.

The European Union has been making mediation efforts. The 27-member bloc is requesting “maximum restraint and urgent action” as well as “personal contributions to a political settlement” from the heads of Serbia and Kosovo. Following contradicting accounts about a gunfire incident that left no one harmed, Belgrade has recently strengthened its armed presence on the border. Ethnic Serbs allegedly came under attack, according to reports from Belgrade, but the assertion was denied by Kosovo authorities in Pristina.

Nevertheless, Serbia appeared to use the reports to justify intensifying its military presence on the border.

Harsh words have been the extent of hostilities so far, but Serbia put its troops on combat alert on Monday. Kosovo has threatened to take matters into its own hands if NATO’s KFOR peacekeeping force does not remove the barricades.

All parties have been urged to refrain from provocations by NATO, which has about 3,700 peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. Its KFOR troops have been essential in maintaining the calm for years. The European Union has warned that it will not put up with attacks on EU police or criminal activity in Kosovo where it has a rule-of-law mission.

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UK pop star Dua sparks controversy with ‘Autochthonous’

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A tweet made by British pop star Dua Lipa explaining the word ‘Autochthonous’ has sparked controversy.

The word simply means ‘of an inhabitant of a place’. Actually, what that has sparked controversy is not the word but the map she has shared along with the explanation.

The map depicts Albania, Kosova and certain regions in Balkan countries as a single territory. Simply, the map supports the expansionist ideology of Albanian nationalism.  

Actually, the pop star has Kosovo roots. She was born to a couple born in Kosovo. But, the star born after they had moved to the UK.

Though the tweet has been criticized severely by those who are against the expansionist attitude of the Kosovo nationalism, it has received tremendous support from those who subscribe the idea of Kosovo nationalism.

Anyway, the tweet has brought the topic of Kosovo nationalism back into the table of global political discussion.

The star has not yet commented about the criticism she has received for her tweeter post.

It is not the first time the topic has received global attention.

The creation of Greater Kosovo is the longstanding dream of Kosovo nationalism. The idea has several supporters in the Europe – especially in the region where the disputed countries including Kosovo are situated.  

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