- Albania opens first chapters of negotiations on joining EU
On October 15, at the meeting of the second Intergovernmental Conference in Luxembourg, the negotiating chapters from Cluster 1, the Fundamentals, were opened. These are the chapters on the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, judiciary, justice, public procurement, and financial control.
The Albanian delegation was led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who emphasized that Albania should join the EU by 2030.
However, observers express doubts over Albania’s accession to the EU in the next six years, predicting a longer path for the country to become a member of the European Union.
The key challenges for Tirana include the need to introduce the principles of the rule of law and the fight against corruption.
- Serbia’s Vučić has phone call with Russia’s Putin
The call took place on October 20 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade during the Second World War. “I believe that this conversation will help the further development of relations between Russia and Serbia,” said the Serbian president.
According to Vučić, in a conversation with Putin, he emphasized that Serbia does not intend to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation. In addition, during the telephone call, the parties spoke of gas supplies. “We also talked about gas agreements, and I expect that… we will start talking about a long-term agreement with the Russian Federation,” Vučić said.
The conversation between the president of Serbia and the president of the Russian Federation took place on the eve of the BRICS summit in Kazan. Vučić apparently tried to explain to Putin his absence from the summit in such a way as to minimize the negative implication of this move for Serbian-Russian relations. It is, first of all, about ensuring the further purchase of Russian gas by Serbia at reduced prices.
On the other hand, a few hours after the phone call with the President of Russia, the President of Serbia met with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, James O’Brien, and the Managing Director for Europe at the European External Action Service, Angelina Eichhorst. According to Vučić, it was “an excellent meeting focused on the political situation in the region, the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, and strengthening cooperation in multiple areas.”
It is obvious that the president of Serbia is trying to continue pursuing a multi-vector policy, balancing between Russia and the West.
- Vučić skips BRICS summit
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on October 21 that he would not attend the BRICS summit in Russia on October 22-24. At this time, he will have meetings with Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of Greece. Later, the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to arrive.
As the Serbian president stated in a TV interview, Putin is aware of his decision, as the two discussed the issue in a phone call the day before. Vučić said he had told Putin that “if there were no such visits, it would be extremely difficult for me to come because of various issues,” which Putin “knows well” as he “understands Serbia.” However, “we will send a delegation of four of our ministers,” the Serbian president emphasized.
Serbia will be represented at the summit in Kazan by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Defense Bratislav Hasic, Minister of Economy Adriana Mesarovic and Minister Nenad Popovic.
The composition of the delegation indicates that Serbia is ready to develop relations with the BRICS members in the military and economic areas. However, Belgrade is obviously not ready to change the foreign policy vector from the EU to the BRICS.
- In Montenegro, population census outcome made public
Most citizens of Montenegro identify as Montenegrins: 41.12 percent (256,436). Next come the Serbs with 32.93 percent (205,370), and Bosnians – with 9.45 percent (58,956).
Some 4.97% of citizens (30,978) identified as Albanians, 2.06% (12,824) – as Russians, and 1.63% (10,162) –as Muslims.
Also, 2.88 percent of citizens, or 17,907, chose not to express their opinion on the matter.
This was reported at a press conference in the State Bureau of Statistics (Monstat), where the data was presented on the population census, which took place from December 3 to December 28, 2023.
According to the census, the majority of Montenegrins speak Serbian: 43.18 percent (269,307). The Montenegrin language earned 34.52 percent (215,299), and third came the Bosnian language with 6.97 percent (43,470).
Albanian is spoken by 5.25% (32,725), Russian by 2.36% (14,731), and Serbo-Croatian by 2.08% (12,999).
Also, 1.71 percent of the population (10,691) refrained from expressing their opinion.
After the results of the census were announced, there were calls from government officials representing pro-Serbian political forces to support the granting of official status to the Serbian language. In particular, this was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Montenegro, Danylo Saranovic. He said he would support the Serbian language becoming official and the initiative to designate the Serbian language as official in the Constitution of Montenegro.
Currently, the Montenegrin language is defined as the “official” language in the Constitution of Montenegro. Serbian, as well as Bosnian, Albanian, and Croatian languages are those that are “officially used”.
- Former president of Albania, Ilir Meta, arrested
The former president of Albania and president of the Freedom Party, Ilir Metu, was arrested by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK).
Meta is accused of corruption, money laundering, as well as failing to declare and concealing wealth. He denies all allegations.
Ilir Meta was President of Albania from 2017 to 2022. In addition to the position of president, he was also prime minister, minister of foreign affairs, and held other high positions. In recent years, Meta has been an opponent of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his political force.
The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, said that Meta’s arrest was set up by Rama, who “seeks to strike at his political opponents.”
Representatives of the Freedom Party warned that further remanding Ilir Meta in custody would lead to protests.
