1 MARCH 03 - 10, 2019 – VOL. 2 - ISSUE 20 SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE AT A GLANCE SOUTHEAST EUROPE DIRECTORATE PROVIDING KNOWLEDGE TO THOSE WHO SHAPE THE FUTURE “SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE AT A GLANCE” is a weekly review of the most significant current political, economic, energy, defense, and security news of Southeastern Europe. It covers 14 countries; Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey. However Greece enjoys its own weekly review for a more detailed presentation of its current affairs (GREECE AT A GLANCE). This ambitious newsletter aspires to become an informative “tool” for anyone who is interested in the region and wishes to have knowledge of the non-stop current developments and challenges. “HERMES” Institute is not a news agency and it is not one of its ambitions to become one but it is strongly believed that today‟s events provide the necessary material to understand the future and to analyze situations that may affect in peace, stability, and growth of the region. “HERMES” I.I.A.S.GE “HERMES” Institute of International Affairs, Security & Geoeconomy (“HERMES” I.I.A.S.GE) is an independent, non – governmental, non – profit organization, consisting of scholars dedicated in the research and analysis of international affairs in regional and global level. The Institute aims at providing objective, scientific, and reliable research analysis through a variety of studies contributing effectively and constructively in the public dialogue and the evolution of scientific knowledge. Copyright © 2019 “HERMES” Institute for Foreign Affairs, Security & Geoeconomy All rights reserved 1 ballot box in local elections in June 2019. Basha th ALBANIA: March 5 , the Albanian called Parliament a hotbed of “crime and Prime Minister, Edi Rama, declared in corruption.” He told Tuesday's crowd, which Parliamentary session that the opposition is Reuters estimated as numbering more than 5,000, contesting the elections which their that only “free and fair elections” would pave the commissioners certified in 2017 without any way for Albania's entry to the EU. The Balkan objection. Rama said that the opposition is NATO-member country aims to start accession seeking power on a discussion table. “This talks with the EU this year, but the febrile Parliament is what the majority of Albanians political climate could delay that process. The EU voted, and it has given us the task to run the and its member states last month called on all country until 2021. Our mandate is not a sides to “do their utmost to avoid violence and gambling card. We do not play with it. They [the further unrest.” The next protest is scheduled for opposition] are demanding what they have always 11 days' time. (www.nytimes.com) demanded; power on a discussion table, without th voting,” Rama said. “We will always lay a hand - March 7 , although the next decision on whether for dialogue, but we will never negotiate the basic the EU will open negotiations with Albania will rules of democracy, the Parliament and the be taken in June 2019, EU officials are not yet majority. We will continue the judiciary reform convinced of the Government‟s progress through a new majority,” Rama said. (www.top- regarding the country‟s fight against crime and channel.tv) corruption, demanding that the process in these areas continues. The EU Enlargement Director th - March 5 , Albania's main opposition leader General Christian Danielsson urged Prime Lulzim Basha [Democratic Party of Minister Edi Rama to pursue reforms in all areas, Albania (Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë – PD)] and in particular in the fight against crime and urged Prime Minister Edi Rama to call a snap corruption, for Albania‟s bid to be convincing in election over allegations of corruption and vote June. “I had a very open conversation with Prime fraud, as anti-government protesters rallied Minister Edi Rama on the current political outside Parliament. They burned portraits of situation and reforms. Albania has to continue to Rama and threw firecrackers at the building, but deliver in all reform areas, and in particular on the demonstration - the fourth against his fighting crime and corruption, to make a administration since mid-February and timed to convincing case in June, when EU member states coincide with parliamentary sessions - was calmer will review the process,” Danielsson wrote on than in previous weeks. PD and its allies gave up social media. Under Rama‟s governance, Albania their parliamentary seats 12 days ago, saying has been denied the opening of accession investigations by Prosecutors into allegations of negotiations three times so far. During his visit to vote fraud vindicated claims that Rama's Albania, Danielsson met with a number of Socialists fixed the 2017 national election. Rama, political actors from different sides of the political who has rejected the allegations, told lawmakers spectrum, as well as members of the Justice that democracy is not up for “negotiation” and Appointment Council, where full EU support for urged the opposition to test its strength at the their independent and impartial work was 2 reiterated. During his meeting with opposition was strongly criticized by the international representatives who have resigned their community namely the EU (and U.S) putting at parliamentary mandates and are holding national risk the opening of accession negotiations in June anti-government protests for almost three weeks 2019. The Prime Minister, Edi Rama urged now, Danielsson was in line with previous EU opposition to return in the Parliament starting a representatives‟ statements condemning the constructive dialogue but PD and LSI leaders, opposition resignation from Parliament. Basha and Kryemadhi respectively pushing for “Constructive meeting with representatives from the Government topple and snap elections. It is a opposition parties on the current political fact that Albanian politics have reached a situation. Albania faces challenges but the only stalemate; it is not normal for a stable country democratic way to solve issues remains to engage seeking to enter the European club to face such in Parliament. Incitement to violent actions in situation of political abnormality. Opposition protests is absolutely unacceptable,” he wrote, MPs‘ resignation aiming at forcing the referring to the last protest the opposition called Government in collapse is not a reasonable when the government held an out-of-order political strategy for a functional and stable parliamentary session. At a press conference democracy. Further polarization of political Danielsson highlighted that constructive dialogue atmosphere in Albania by the opposition could among all sides is necessary. “It is a misfortune not be excluded. However, one could notice that that Albania is in the trap let‘s say due to its lack day by the day protests lose momentum. The of stability. Political forces must fight for common Government is accused of having links with reforms. Responsible leadership is necessary to organized crime and current situation raises bring the country closer to the EU. As far as the questions over the power of ―Albanian mafia‖ in opposition is concerned, I have emphasized that the country and its influence in state‘s politics. the decision of the members to collectively burn Undoubtedly, corruption and organized crime their mandates undermines Albania‘s EU path. remains the most significant state‘s problem Uncertainty must be overcome urgently. The undermining its strategic goal of opening Parliament is the pillar of the state, the engine of accession negotiations with the EU. The EU every mature democracy,” he said. closely monitors progress of reforms especially in (www.tirana.com) justice sector. Latest European Parliament assessment on Albania accession negotiations is a COUNTRY ASSESSMENT : rather positive sign underlining concerns over specific issues such as corruption, justice reforms, Albania has entered in a period of political and implementation of rule of law. The final turmoil and fragile political stability not only decision for opening Albania‘s accession because opposition organizes huge protests negotiations in June 2019 is up to the EU Heads against the Government, but mainly because of Governments. One should underline that opposition MPs decided to abandon Parliament unofficial concerns have already been raised and resign. Such an action is blocking regarding this date due to current political Parliament‘s works undermining Albania‘s instability. Albania monitors Kosovo – Serbia reforms (economic, justice etc). Such decision negotiations and definitely has a role as a 3 ―mother nation.‖ It is estimated that Albania will pointing out that the Presidency Chairman has fully comply with the EU and U.S ―line‖ for come to Brussels for the second time to territorial exchanges or border changes between demonstrate Bosnia's strong dedication. Dodik, Serbia and Kosovo if it is necessary for a mutual who this time arrived in Brussels without the accepted solution. Albania maintains its leading other two members of Bosnia's tripartite role in the Albanian world providing guarantees Presidency, said all political stakeholders in and support to Albanian population in the region Bosnia were committed to accession to the EU. namely Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia formally applied for EU membership in F.Y.R.O.M. In this context, the Albanian Prime February 2016 and was to provide answers to the Minister and his Government work on promoting 3,242 questions of the EC's Questionnaire within Kosovo interests in international community using six months as a part of a regular procedure of any forum they have access. Possible border obtaining the Commission's opinion on its changes may engage Albania in dangerous possible candidate status. It took the country a situations taking into consideration that it has the year to provide the initial answers because of role of ―protector‖ of Albanians in the region. internal disagreements that stem from deep political and ethnic divisions.