EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell paid a rare visit to Moscow on Friday and stood by as his host, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, called the EU an “unreliable partner” and accused European leaders of lying about Alexei Navalny’s poisoning.

Borrell insisted on making the trip, which he described as accepting a longstanding invitation from Lavrov, days after Russia drew international condemnation for jailing opposition leader Navalny, and said it was important to pursue dialogue. But while Borrell told EU foreign ministers that he did not want to be a “mailman” simply delivering messages, he did not identify any clear objective for his visit, apart from “putting aside negative rhetoric.”
The perils of a joint appearance with Lavrov quickly became apparent at a news conference Friday morning when Borrell was ambushed by the Russian government-controlled news agency Sputnik with a question about Cuba, in which he was baited into condemning the U.S. embargo on Havana. Adding a dash of trolling, the Sputnik journalist said the Cuba question was suggested by “American colleagues.” The same journalist also turned the tables on Borrell by asking a question about alleged human rights abuses in Latvia.

<h2>Borrell was clearly unprepared for the attack</h2>

“About Cuba, I am a little bit surprised, I didn’t expect to talk about Cuba here in Moscow,” he said before gamely answering the question. “You know that the European Union rejects the U.S. embargo to Cuba and we continue to express this also vis-à-vis the new U.S. administration,” he said. “We expect the U.S. administration to review its position with respect to Cuba.” Lavrov quickly pounced. He seized the opportunity both to highlight a glaring disagreement between Brussels and Washington but also to deliver a sharp attack on sanctions policy and to accuse the EU of hypocrisy in pursuing multilateralism as a cover for Western exceptionalism. At several other points in the news conference, Lavrov denounced the EU’s sanctions against Russia over the annexation of Crimea, calling them “unilateral and illegitimate restrictions … imposed under false pretenses.”
“As for the question to me — how do we assess the EU policy toward Cuba,” Lavrov said. “I see here no surprise, Josep, because when I visit different countries, they often ask me about Ukraine and now they asked you about Cuba, because you have quite important and intense relations with Cuba and I think it’s quite a positive example that here we should use common sense, that we should avoid illegitimate, unilateral pressure [and] use embargoes, blockades.”
“Here we have converging views with the European Union,” Lavrov continued with his trademark deadpan delivery masking obvious self-satisfaction, “that we could only work with our partners through dialogue, without using any ultimatums, punishments and unilateral actions punishing those who want to develop normal relations by imposing extraterritorial restrictions — those are methods and tools from the colonial past. I should say that the European Union starts using these instruments that were invented by the United States, which is a bad thing.”
Lavrov added that he hoped these issues would be addressed at a summit of the leaders of the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, an idea proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Lavrov noted has been endorsed by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“At this event, it would be important to understand, to sort out what world are we trying to build, a multipolar world that will truly ensure equality of all key actors, including the European Union, or a multipolar, multilateral world by name only,” Lavrov said.
Borrell said he had conveyed the EU’s unhappiness about the jailing of Navalny. “I have conveyed to Minister Lavrov our deep concern and reiterated our appeal for his release and the launch of an impartial investigation of his poisoning,” he said.
But his remarks were overshadowed by Lavrov’s forceful rebuke, in which he repeated his doubts about the West’s conclusion that Navalny was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent — a conclusion that German Chancellor Angela Merkel personally announced in Berlin, where Navalny was treated. Laboratories in France and Sweden, as well as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, confirmed the German findings.
Overall, it was a disastrous performance by Borrell, who acknowledged that the EU had not taken any step toward imposing new sanctions on Russia over the Navalny case. Borrell, a former foreign minister of Spain, then stood by silently and semi-smiling as Lavrov took the last word to slam the EU as “unreliable” and to say he hoped EU heads of state and government use a planned discussion about Russia at their March European Council summit to adopt a new path.
“We are getting used to the fact that the European Union are trying to impose unilateral restrictions, illegitimate restrictions and we proceed from the assumption at this stage that the European Union is an unreliable partner,” Lavrov said. “I hope that the strategic review that will take place soon will focus on the key interests of the European Union and that these talks will help to make our contacts more constructive.”

<h2>Lavrov was scoring goal after goal</h2>

Adding an exclamation point to Borrell’s troubled visit, Russia expelled three EU diplomats — from Germany, Poland and Sweden — for attending demonstrations in support of Navalny, an EU diplomat said.

Within minutes of the end of the news conference, the European Commission faced a barrage of questions about Borrell’s trip at its daily news conference, but the spokesperson’s service offered little clarity and instead repeated Borrell’s insistence that he wanted to foster dialogue with Moscow, while also reiterating the EU position calling for Navalny’s release.
Elsewhere in Brussels, diplomats expressed dismay. “As expected, Lavrov outplayed Borrell,” a senior EU diplomat said. “Speaking in football terms, Lavrov was scoring goal after goal … and Borrell was missing them all. No defense and no attack.”
A second EU diplomat said: “The presser showed his lack of experience,” adding that Borrell “was unprepared for many questions. Unfortunately, Lavrov played it by his own rules.”

He seized the opportunity both to highlight a glaring disagreement between Brussels and Washington but also to deliver a sharp attack on sanctions policy and to accuse the EU of hypocrisy in pursuing multilateralism as a cover for Western exceptional

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell

Borrell stands by as Lavrov calls EU ‘unreliable partner’

Russian, EU top diplomats discussed the observance of human rights during protests in Russia, Europe, and the US as well as the Navalny case at a meeting in Moscow on Friday.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, both Russia’s Sergey Lavrov and EU's Josep Borrell said they had disagreements on a number of topics.
Borrell voiced concern over arrests at protests in Russia and called to free Russian opposition figure Alexey Navalny.
-I conveyed to Mr. Lavrov my deep concern over the Navalny case and reiterated my call for Navalny's release and for an impartial investigation into his poisoning- Borrell said.
Asked about possible sanctions against Russia over the Navalny case, Borrell said as of today no EU state made such a suggestion, but the discussion will continue at March's meeting of the EU Council of Ministers.
-My visit to Moscow is part of a preparatory work for the meeting, where we will further discuss our strategy in regard to Russia- he said.
For his part, Lavrov pointed out the EU's "double standards" during protests, saying police in the EU and US act much tougher -- use rubber bullets, tear gas, and physical assault to disperse demonstrations, while in Russia no such means were applied.
-The coverage is biased too. Covering protests in Russia, the Western media shows how police react, but not what provoked such a reaction, while in the West [the media shows] the excesses of the protesters- he said.
As for possible sanctions, Lavrov said Russia considers the EU as an "unreliable partner", which is "more and more resorting to unilateral restrictions that have no legitimate basis."
However, Lavrov said both sides confirmed their interest in maintaining and expanding the channels of dialogue, including on issues where positions differ.
-We noted our readiness to cooperate pragmatically where it is interesting and beneficial for both sides. We have a common opinion that further degradation of relations would result in negative and very unpredictable consequences- the minister said.

<h2>Borrell congratulates Lavrov over development of Sputnik V vaccine</h2>

Borrell congratulated Russia on the Sputnik V vaccine, which recently got a positive report in the international medical magazine Lancet.

-I was pleased to read a report published in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet regarding the Russian vaccine [Sputnik V] and its high efficacy. I hope that now the European Medicines Agency will be able to certify this vaccine for use in the EU member states. As you know, we have lack of coronavirus vaccine in the EU- he said.

Top Russian, EU diplomats discuss protests, Navalny case in Moscow

Human rights discussion marks EU-Russia meeting

The United Nations supports the rights of survivors to speak publicly, testify and report sexual violence, without fear and condemnation.

Over the past weeks, thousands of women and girls, and some men and boys, across the Western Balkans have shared personal testimonies of rape, sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination through the 'Nisam tražila' ('I did not ask for it') Facebook platform.
-These testimonies have shed light on the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in homes, educational institutions, and workplaces. We recognize the incredible bravery required to speak publicly. Sexual violence, abuse, and discrimination leave deep scars. Survivors often need years, or even decades, to decide to come forward. The United Nations affirms the right of survivors of rape, sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination to pursue justice- stated the UN. 
They called on the relevant authorities to ensure that those speaking up are protected and accorded the right to report perpetrators regardless of when these crimes occurred. Systemic protection should include support services to survivors, including education, counseling, access to safe houses, and legal aid.
These rights are integral to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international obligations, as a State Party to the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), and the Council of Europe Convention on Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention). 
They also welcome the steps made to change societal norms and narratives on gender relations, as well as the important steps made to harmonize anti-discrimination, gender equality and criminal legislation with international standards. We encourage the full alignment of the legislation on rape and sexual harassment with the Istanbul Convention and the Gender Equality Law.
Furthermore, they recognize ensuring that psychological, legal and institutional support is available to victims of sexual violence and abuse, regardless of when crimes occurred, ensuring the prosecution of alleged perpetrators and that access to professions or institutions that involve contact with children or minors are restricted to those convicted, adequate legal provisions and budgets are in place for the protection of survivors and to support access to justice, remedies and reparations, and support education both in and out of schools to promote positive gender relations and end gender discrimination.
The United Nations supports all survivors and their quest for justice and redress. We are inspired by the courage of those who speak out. We are joining you: “You are not alone”. This is a unique moment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an opportunity to change the narrative around sexual violence, shift the stigma from the survivors to the perpetrators and secure a safer and more equal environment for future generations, announced the UN.&nbsp;

Over the past weeks, thousands of women and girls, and some men and boys, across the Western Balkans have shared personal testimonies of rape, sexual violence, harassment and discrimination

The United Nations supports all survivors and their quest for justice and redress

UN supports the rights of survivors to speak publicly and report sexual violence

Lawyers of "Dnevni avaz" Almina Pilav and Selma Kafedžić yesterday submitted to the Municipal Court in Sarajevo, the answer of "Avaz" to the temporary security measure imposed by judge Pavle Crnogorac.
By the decision on imposing a temporary measure, "Dnevni Avaz" was forbidden to write about the private life of the President of the Court of B&amp;H, Ranko Debevec.
The lawyer's response stated that "Dnevni avaz" did not write about the private life of the President of the Court of B&amp;H, but about the fact that he abused his high judicial position for private purposes.
Among other things, the response stated that judge Crnogorac did not refer to the FB&amp;H Law on Protection against Defamation in the decision on imposing a temporary measure, which, as a lex specialis, had to be applied in a specific procedure, given that Ranko Debevec filed a defamation and insults in the media lawsuit and that with the proposal for the adoption of a temporary security measure, together with the security measure, he requested that "Dnevni avaz" as a media should be banned from disclosing information to the public. Furthermore, the lawyers referred to the FB&amp;H Law on Protection against Defamation (LPD), which stipulates in Article 10, paragraph 2, that a court measure prohibiting or restricting the presentation or disclosure of a false facts is not allowed before the publication of that statement.
- In Article 10, paragraph 3 of the LPD, a court measure of prohibition is defined as a temporary or permanent court measure prohibiting the transmission or further transmission of the expression of a false facts. As the provision of paragraph 2 of Article 10 defines that a court measure prohibiting or restricting the presentation or dissemination of untrue expressions is not allowed before the publication of that expression, opponents of the proponents consider that such a Proposal for the adoption of a temporary security measure, together with the security measure is inadmissible, in accordance with the cited provisions of the Law on Protection against Defamation.Especially because the court issued a temporary measure prohibiting the future disclosure of information that has not yet been published and for which it cannot know in advance what the contents will be, because only in court proceedings should the "untruthfulness of facts" be established - said lawyer's Pilav and Kafedžić.
Also, lawyers claim that judge Crnogorac did not prove the urgency of the measure (a lawsuit with a motion to impose a measure was filed on Thursday, January 28th, and the decision was made on Monday, February 1st). In the decision itself, the judge did not explain the reasons for urgency, as nor the likelihood that the articles damaged Ranko Debevec's reputation.
According to the proposal for the adoption of a temporary measure, which was accepted by gudge Crnogorac, that the journalists' writing about the abuse of office by Ranko Debevec was an attack on the entire judiciary and that journalists criticized his actions and insulted and violated the dignity of the judiciary as a whole, Avaz's lawyers assessed it as complete nonsense, stating that they have nothing to do with reality. In this way, the journalists of "Dnevni avaz" right to freedom of expression, guaranteed by the Constitution of B&amp;H, the Constitution of FB&amp;H and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms has been violated.
In their response, they stated that the Decision on the temporary measure which was inforced on 1st of February 2021. is illegal and asked the court to cancel it immediately.

In the decision itself, the judge did not explain the reasons for the urgency at all, as well as the probability that the articles damaged the reputation of Ranko Debevec

Avaz's lawyers demanded the immediate lifting of the ban on writing about Ranko Debevec

The head of the EU Delegation and the EU Special Representative in B&amp;H, Johann Sattler, stated today at a press conference in Mostar, after signing a joint statement, that 2021. is the year in which B&amp;H's progress is possible.
He said that it is necessary to use the increased focus that B&amp;H has from the EU and the USA.

- It is time to make progress, whether it is about 14 key priorities from the Opinion of the European Commission on the request of B&amp;H, that is the task of B&amp;H. I will only mention the adoption of three important laws that are before the parliamentarians, namely the law on conflict of interest, the law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the law on public procurement. Work on these laws must be intensified, Sattler have said.

He also said that the vast majority of B&amp;H citizens, more than 80 percent of them, want the state to become part of the EU, and called on the presidents of parliaments to be the voice of all citizens. Sattler emphasized the importance of the role of parliaments in the process of joining the European Union, but also noted that it was important for the government in Mostar to be formed quickly and for the city to move into a new chapter.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of B&amp;H, Borjana Krišto, thanked all countries and parliaments participating in this project, saying that its goal is to provide assistance, not only technical, but also institutional to all legislative bodies in B&amp;H.

- Through today's plan of activities, we are acquainted with everything that is in the interest of B&amp;H in the process of joining the European Union. I also consider it important that today we signed a joint statement that we will direct the plan of priorities and activities to all parliaments in the country, and that we will approach the obligations and recommendations that we have on the way to the European Union. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a common goal towards the European Union, joint activities and support, but also certain aggravating circumstances. We need clear steps towards changes to the Election Law, and a strong step on the European path. Last year, we managed to change the provisions of the Election Law that refer to the City of Mostar, but many things are still the same- said Krišto.

I will only mention the adoption of three important laws that are before the parliamentarians, namely the law on conflict of interest, the law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the law on public procurement, said Sattler

Sattler: It’s time to make progress

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday accused his political opponents of being behind a month of student protests rattling his 18-year rule.

Erdogan has launched daily verbal attacks on the demonstrations as they have grown in size and resulted in hundreds of arrests this week.
Most of those detained have been released but the crackdown has hampered Erdogan's tentative efforts to mend Turkey's relations with Western allies in the face of deep economic problems at home.
The protest movement kicked off when Erdogan decided to appoint a party loyalist as the rector of Istanbul's elite Bogazici University at the start of the year.
But it has since expanded to include support from some leftist political forces and unions.
The LGBT debate was thrust into the centre of the political firestorm when Erdogan lashed out at students for hanging an artwork near the rector's office depicting the movement's rainbow flags at Islam's holiest site Mecca.
Erdogan said rallies that saw dozens detained in Istanbul and other big cities on Thursday were not driven by students but illegal Kurdish militants "up in the mountains" and "some scholars".
-The events at Bogazici are not related to our students there- Erdogan said after attending Friday prayers in Istanbul.
-Politics are leading the way there- he said. -We will not allow the children there to be 'sold' to the terror organisations.-Erdogan's remark on Wednesday saying "there is no such thing" as the LGBT movement in Turkey drew sharp rebukes from the United States and European Union.
Washington said it "strongly condemns the anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric" and Brussels said the "hate speech displayed by high-level officials... is unacceptable".
But Erdogan stood his ground on Friday.
-Don't pay attention to what those lesbians say- he told a group of supporters while promoting traditional family values later in the day.
He added that his Western critics had their own domestic problems to deal with.
-Aren't you ashamed about what happened after the elections?- Erdogan asked in comments addressed to the United States.
And French President Emmanuel "Macron, you cannot resolve the yellow jackets protests," he said in reference to the protest movement in France since late 2018.
-We don't have such problems here- Erdogan said.

The protest movement kicked off when Erdogan decided to appoint a party loyalist as the rector of Istanbul's elite Bogazici University at the start of the year

Turkish police officers detain protesters during a rally in support of Bogazici University students this week

Erdogan says political opponents behind student protests

An initiative to name one of the streets in the Montenegrin city of Berane after convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić is nothing but an insult to all Mladić's victims and to all victims of genocide, said today the B&amp;H Presidency member Željko Komšić in a statement for FENA. 

Komšič also underlined that it would be a slap in the face for all the honest citizens of Montenegro.
-Those who proposed it are no better than the war criminals. It is obvious that the new government in Montenegro is simply competing with the authorities in the smaller B&amp;H entity in glorifying and celebrating genocide and glorifying war criminals.&nbsp;I sincerely hope that the rule of such people in Montenegro would not last because what they are doing does not lead to anything good- Komšić told FENA.&nbsp;

He  also underlined that it would be a slap in the face for all the honest citizens of Montenegro

Komšić: Those who proposed it are no better than the war criminals

Komšić: Naming a street after Ratko Mladić an insult to all victims of genocide

&nbsp;A joint commemorative session of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, the City Council of Sarajevo and municipal councils, as well as a commemorative program and laying flowers at the site of Markale Market marked the Day of Remembrance honoring the killed citizens of Sarajevo during the war from 1992 to 1995 and the 27th anniversary of the murder of our fellow citizens in the massacre at Markale Market.

The anniversary of the massacre, together with representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of the Sarajevo Canton, was marked by numerous delegations of all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the Association of Civilian Victims of War of the SC, Association of Parents of Killed Children of the Besieged Sarajevo 1992-1995, veterans' associations and families, relatives and friends of the killed citizens.
On this day in 1994, a 120 mm mortar shell was fired from the aggressor positions in the area of the village Mrkovići on Markale, killing 67 and injured 142 fellow citizens.
A former member of the wartime Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Professor Mirko Pejanović, spoke about the suffering of Sarajevo residents at the commemorative session, emphasizing that this session is an act of expressing sympathy for the victims of Sarajevo during the siege.
He reminded that the military siege of the city began during March and April 1992 by the forces of the Yugoslav People's Army, which was later renamed the Army of the Republic of Srpska.
-The Greater Serbia state plan had the idea of destroying the state of B&amp;H and carrying out its ethnic division. This project brought violent persecution and mass suffering of the Bosniak people. The realization of such a plan basically had a fascist intention and policy, and that is the destruction of the other and different- said Pejanović.
He pointed out that this policy was managed by extreme Serbian nationalists Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, who were sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity and genocide in Srebrenica.
-The war goal to ethnically divide and destroy B&amp;H has led to a hellish endeavor to prevent the resistance of patriotic democratic forces and to prevent the defense of the entire and internationally recognized B&amp;H by years of siege and shelling of Sarajevo and mass killings of its citizens from the siege lines,” Pejanović emphasized.
Preventing the resistance and defense of the city of Sarajevo, he said, also meant preventing the defense of the entire territory of B&amp;H, because all leading state institutions operate in Sarajevo.
-Interreligious and inter-ethnic tolerance, which has been nurtured in Sarajevo for centuries, has made it a brand of common multinational living with widely known interpersonal and inter-neighborly relations of tolerance. The grenades did not choose on a national basis, the victims of the shelling were all citizens. During the siege of Sarajevo, civilians were killed at 230 locations throughout the city- Pejanović concluded in his address.
During the siege of Sarajevo, 11,541 people were killed, of whom 1,601 were children. More than 61,000 people were injured, of whom 15,000 children.

On this day in 1994, a 120 mm mortar shell was fired from the aggressor positions in the area of the village Mrkovići on Markale, killing 67 and injured 142 fellow citizens

Marking the anniversary of the Markale massacre

Markale are a symbol of remembrance of the murdered citizens of Sarajevo: They were completely innocent ...

After signing a joint statement in Mostar on the Plan of Priorities for Accelerating the European Integration Process, Bakir Izetbegović told reporters that he would "have acup of coffee with HDZ leader Dragan Čović.
- I am very interested in accelerating the European path in the first place. I do not intend to talk about the establishment of government in Mostar, as they say "talk about Mostar in Mostar". So, that's what the people of Mostar should do. The presidents of the two parties should not talk about it, but about accelerating the European path that has been stalled for a year and using this chance that we got by signing this document, make significant strides and catch up with what we missed last year - said Izetbegović .
He said that he would discuss the amendments to the Election Law with Čović at the moment when progress is being made in the formation of the FB&amp;H Government.
- I think it is high time to make progress and that will be the topic of conversation right now over cup of coffee - said Izetbegović.
Asked whether he expects pressure from the international community regarding the formation of the FB&amp;H Government and the appointment of judges of the Constitutional Court, Izetbegović said that it is not possible to talk about changes to the Law and the Constitution without respecting the Constitution and the Law.

I think it is high time to progress, said Izetbegović

From today's signing of the joint statement on the plan of priorities for accelerating the process of European integration

Bakir Izetbegović: Over cup of coffee, I will talk to Čović about the new FB&H Government and the Election Law

Mostar gained legal and legitimate power. A new City Council has been constituted, numbering 35 councilors, from whom the citizens of Mostar expect the solution of long-standing accumulated problems.The new convocation of the City Council includes 13 councilors of the HDZ B&amp;H, 11 councilors of the Coalition for Mostar (SDA, SBB, DF, SB&amp;H, BPS), and six councilors of B&amp;H Block (SDP B&amp;H, 3 councilors from the Croatian Republican Party, and one councilor of the First Mostar Party and the list "Stay here - Together for our Mostar".Candidates for the Mayor are Irma Baralija from B&amp;H Block, Zlatko Guzin from the Coalition for Mostar gathered around the SDA and Mario Kordić from the HDZ B&amp;H.This is a historic session, since the inhabitants of the largest city on the Neretva river have not had legislative power since 2012., after Mostar was left out of the election cycle due to non-implementation of the decision of the B&amp;H Constitutional Court. The last one, let us remind you, was in 2008.
Also, this is the first time that a session of the legislature is held in the City Hall, which has been opened almost nine years ago. Because, the then government, ie Mostar City Council, due to various disputes and, especially, the so-called "monument crisis" case, never held a joint session in that building.

<h2>It is difficult to expect that the people of Mostar will get full authority today</h2>

At the first session, which will be chaired by the oldest councilor until the election of the City Council, Tomislav Primorac (HDZ B&amp;H), it was proposed to verify the mandate of councilors, take and sign the oath, form clubs of constituent peoples, elect president and deputy president of the City Council and elect Mayor.
However, it is difficult to expect that the people of Mostar will get full authority today. Especially when it comes to the election of the mayor, who is elected in Mostar from among the councilors.
Among political actors, for now, there is no agreement on reaching a broader coalition, which will secure a two-thirds majority for the election of the mayor, which is needed in the first two rounds. In the third round, if in the previous two no candidate receives a two-thirds majority, ie, 24 out of 35 councilors, a simple majority of the councilors present is sufficient.

<h2>HDZ B&H will have 13 councilors, "Coalition for Mostar" 11</h2>

Candidates for mayor are Dr. Mario Kordić (HDZ B&amp;H), Dr. Zlatko Guzin (Coalition for Mostar-SDA, SBB, DF, S B&amp;H and DF) and Irma Baralija (B&amp;H Block - SDP and Our party).
As things are at the moment, today's session could possibly end with the first round of voting for the election of the mayor.
By the way, HDZ B&amp;H will have 13 councilors, "Coalition for Mostar" 11, B&amp;H Block six, HRS three and the First Mostar Party and the "Stay Here" list (SNSD-SDS) one councilor each.

Candidates for the Mayor are Irma Baralija from B&H Block, Zlatko Guzin from the Coalition for Mostar gathered around the SDA and Mario Kordić from the HDZ B&H

Mostar got a new City Council

Fahrudin Radončić, president of the Alliance for a Better Future of B&amp;H, last night was a guest on Dnevnik D on Federal Television.
In an extremely interesting conversation, Radončić spoke about why HDZ and Dragan Čović should return the favor to Bosniaks after Bakir Izetbegović and Šefik Džaferović ordered SDA councilors in the Mostar City Council in 2004. to vote for the Croatian mayor.
When asked what he expects from tomorrow's constituent session of the Mostar City Council, the president of SBB reminded everyone of the situation from 2004.
- While coming here tonight, I had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Safet Oručević, who was the mayor and who did not know that I am doing an interview with you, but he reminded me of one thing we all know, that is, in 2004. Mr. Bakir Izetbegović, and that is easy to find in "Dnevni list "or in daily press, together with Mr. Džaferović, then gave an order to the people from the SDA to vote for the Croat mayor and thus Mr. Ljubo Bešlić was elected. Because HDZ had 7-8 mandates and they got the mayor position. I think it is fair that the Croats now return us that favour. For a long time on that position was Croat, for 12 years as the head or first man of Mostar, and I really think that it is time for mayor to be Bosniak - said Radončić.

<h2>All areas in B&H should deal with the migrant crisis</h2>

Also, Radončić warned that the migrant crisis cannot be just a matter of Bosniaks, and that Milorad Dodik should not offer us containers and think that this is enough to solve the migrant crisis.
- The problem happened in 2015. or 2016. when migrants have started coming here. You had a government headed by a Bosniak. You had Mr. Mektić, the Minister of Security. They legalized, consciously or not, the practice that all migrants come to the Federation of B&amp;H, to be even more specific, to the area where Bosniaks live. And when that has been standardized, it has become an ugly practice, and they want to change that now. I asked for the urgent employment of 1,200 border police officers. To set up camps outside the cities, I asked for water, heating,in other words a humane process, to discourage those people and start the legal deportation of illegal migrants. None of that was done and of course that now we are in this situation - said Radončić.
The president of SBB warned that both Dragan Čović and Milorad Dodik must absolutely participate in resolving the migrant crisis. When asked what the government is doing now, Radončić answered:
- Nothing. We are now ready to be a plateau for migrants, and that plateau will not include the Republic of Srpska and the area where Croats live, but Dodik will tell us "here are a few containers for you". All areas in B&amp;H should deal with the migrant crisis together. The role of the international community should also change, because you cannot put up with this kind of pressure on B&amp;H that the EU allows, migrants want to go there, and it ends up at the expense that we will raise the iron curtain, and then small B&amp;H has to deal with the planetary problem called the migrant crisis.
He also explained the reasons for leaving the position of Minister of Security of B&amp;H.
- You know, the public knows why I left the position of Minister of Security. You will find only a few Bosniaks to leave such attractive position, precisely because of different concepts. You remember that I attended the session of the Presidency of B&amp;H, where Mr. Šefik Džaferović, as a member of the Presidency of B&amp;H, gave the right to the Pakistani ambassador, that his people practically come to us in uncontrolled numbers, and not to me as Minister of Security. We have not agreed on the migrant concept. We did not agree on the concept of systemic corruption, the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H, respiratory theft, coronation robbery, and we did not agree on the fact that the three ruling parties SNSD, HDZ and SNSD, do not cooperate at all in the Council of Ministers. These were the main reasons - Radončić reminded.
Radončić also explained why SBB is in a hostage position when it comes to the survival of the existing and the formation of the new FB&amp;H Government.

<h2>The most important thing is that in a year and a half to two years time, new policy appears</h2>

The answer of the president of SBB to the question whether he will run for the Bosniak member of the Presidency in 2022. was also interesting, and what he expects from the new High Representative in B&amp;H.
- I think the most important thing is that in a year and a half to two years time, new policy appears. To make citizens understand that changeability of the government is possible. B&amp;H is the only European country where for 30 years, we are talking here about the SDA, the government is one party or to say one family. I think that in that sense, the strategic question is how the opposition SBB, SDP, Our party,People and justice will position themselves to change the government, so that the citizens see that it is possible to change that government. As for SBB and SDP, we are talking about it and I think Konaković is in the mood. And that is the essence of the future elections, not who will be the candidate for a member of the Presidency. I talked about it, all my political ambitions in the personal sense have been fulfilled, but there must be a change of government in B&amp;H. You see, yesterday, Vučić talked with the presidents of France, Russia and China to get as many vaccines as possible. In B&amp;H, you have a Presidency that does nothing. They deal with the worship of icons or putting their heads in the sand when it comes to the existential problems of citizens, that they do not have any international communication. They say "we are good with Erdogan, we are against the Russians". Well, what now when Erdogan and Putin are building a joint vaccine factory. The future policy in 2022. must be completely dedicated to the economy, development, employment, stopping the emigration of citizens, and the fight against systemic corruption - said Radončić.

It is time for the new mayor of Mostar to be Bosniak, said Radončić

Radončić: It does not matter who will go to the Presidency of B&H, it is important that those who rule for 30 years are finally dismissed

A Belgian court on Thursday sentenced Iranian diplomat Assadolah Assadi to 20 years in prison for attempting a bomb attack.

The Vienna-based diplomat was involved in a foiled 2018 plot in France to kill leaders of an opposition group known as the National Council of the Resistance of Iran, according to the first instance ruling of the Antwerp court.
Assadi, with three Belgian-Iranian accomplices, planned to detonate a bomb during a rally near Paris by the opposition group.
The plot was averted in a coordinated operation of Belgian, German and French police.
Assadi received 20 years in jail for transporting explosive materials from Iran to Vienna.
Despite raising the principle of diplomatic immunity, he was arrested in Germany in 2018 while on holiday and extradited to Belgium.
His accomplices, a Belgian-Iranian couple, were arrested near Antwerp with 500 grams of TATP explosives and a detonator. They were sentenced to 15 and 17 years and stripped of their Belgian nationality.
Another Belgian-Iranian national, whose role was to bring the couple to the scene of the rally, was convicted to 17 years and will also lose his Belgian citizenship.
According to the Belgian daily De Standaard, they said during their trial that they had been blackmailed by Iran to take part in the terror attack.
Iran denied the allegations, accusing the exiled opposition group of a false-flag plot to harm Tehran's reputation.

Assadolah Assadi sentenced for 20 years for role in attempted bomb attack against exiled Iranian opposition group

Heavily armed policemen patroled outside the courthouse during the trial

Belgium: Iranian diplomat convicted for bombing attempt

Polish freedom icon Lech Walesa on Thursday nominated Alexei Navalny for a Nobel Peace Prize, lauding the jailed Russian opposition figure for his courage in working to reveal corruption and defend political pluralism.

Walesa himself won the award in 1983 for his leadership of the Solidarity labour movement that brought a peaceful end to communism in Poland, where he later became the first post-war democratically elected president.
Walesa's secretary Marek Kaczmar told AFP the 77-year-old had nominated Navalny in a letter sent to the Nobel Committee on Thursday.
The move came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic was sentenced to nearly three years in prison, leading his supporters to take to the streets of Moscow in protest. 
Navalny received the jail term for violating the terms of a 2014 suspended sentence on embezzlement charges he claims were a pretext to silence him.
In an interview with AFP, Walesa called Navalny a "hero" and said if he could speak to him, he would tell the 44-year-old to follow his communist-era example and fight the system.
-I felt that it wasn't the people who were to blame, but the system which allows for bad behaviour on the part of leaders. And that's something you can see in Russia- Walesa said.
Walesa said Navalny was fighting against totalitarianism on behalf of democratic ideals, basic human rights and freedom and the rule of law, according to excerpts from the letter quoted by the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

The move came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin's most prominent critic was sentenced to nearly three years in prison

Walesa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his leadership of the Solidarity labour movement that brought a peaceful end to communism in Poland

Poland's Walesa nominates Kremlin critic Navalny for Nobel

B&amp;H Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik met yesterday in East Sarajevo with newly elected Mayor Ljubiša Ćosić.
After the meeting, in statements to the media, he commented on the letter of the High Representative Valentin Inzko to the RS National Assembly to withdraw the charters of merit awarded four years ago by the Organizing Committee for marking the 25th anniversary of the parliament, to Radovan Karadžić, Biljana Plavšić and Momčilo Krajišnik, who were convicted of war crimes in The Hague. 
- He showed the lowest passions and hatred towards the Serbian people. He made serious money as High Representative. They know perfectly well that we will not accept any of their decisions - said Dodik.

He also pointed out that there are numerous facilities, schools in Sarajevo, named after convicted criminals from the Second World War.
Asked what sanctions could follow if they do not comply with the order to revoke the charters of merit awarded to convicted war criminals, Dodik said that "he is not the fortune teller to know how he thinks."
- He inflicted too much harm on us and flattered Muslims in Sarajevo - said Dodik.
The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina said today that he was called to the State Prosecutor's Office as a witness and that he had not been presented with any criminal offense, indictment or similar.

He added that it was a "false report by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turković" and that he was asked by the Prosecutor's Office "banal things like who arranged Sergey Lavrov's visit".
When asked where the icon is and whether it is still in the vault in East Sarajevo, he did not gave specific answer.
He reiterated previous views on the case and said he had "finished making statements about the icon".

They know perfectly well that we will not accept any of their decisions, said Dodik

Dodik on the interrogation in the Prosecutor's Office of B&H: It was about the false report made by Bisera Turković

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, tourists made 39,585 visits in December 2020, which is 35.7 percent more than in November 2020 and 58.9 percent less than in December 2019.

Tourists realized 80,938 overnight stays in B&amp;H in December, which is 26.4 percent more than in November 2020 and 58.1 percent less than in December 2019.
The share of domestic tourists in the total number of overnight stays in December was 62.7 percent, while the share of foreign tourists was 37.3 percent.
The number of overnight stays of domestic tourists in December was higher by 20.1 percent compared to November 2020 and lower by 30.9 percent compared to December 2019. The number of overnight stays of foreign tourists was higher by 38.6 percent compared to November 2020 and by 74.7 percent lower compared to December 2019.
In the period January-December last year, 498,090 tourists stayed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is 69.7 percent less than in 2019, when 1,640,717 tourists stayed in B&amp;H.
Last year, tourists realized 1,235,971 overnight stays in B&amp;H, which is 63.4 percent less than in the same period in 2019, when 3,371,322 overnight stays were realized.
In the total number of overnight stays last year, the share of domestic tourists was 60.5 percent, while the share of foreign tourists was 39.5 percent.
In the structure of overnight stays of foreign tourists, most overnight stays were realized by tourists from Serbia (27.9 percent), Croatia (24.3 percent), the United Arab Emirates (5.7 percent), Slovenia (4.7 percent), Turkey (3, 6 percent), Germany (3.1 percent) and Montenegro (3.0 percent).
Tourists from other countries realized 27.7 percent of overnight stays, according to the B&amp;H Agency for Statistics.

Tourists realized 80,938 overnight stays in B&H in December

Tourists realized 80,938 overnight stays in B&H in December, which is 26.4 percent more than in November 2020 and 58.1 percent less than in December 2019.

Number of tourists in B&H decreased by 1.1 million compared to 2019

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bisera Turković received today the newly appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation Igor Kalabukhov.

The two officials discussed relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian Federation, the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of improving relations between the two countries in the coming period.
Minister Turković emphasized that there is a lot of room for improvement of relations and that in addition to the field of economy, much more can be done to improve cultural cooperation.
She also pointed out that our country has strategic foreign policy goals related to membership in the European Union but at the same time, it wants to build and improve relations with the Russian Federation and other countries.
Ambassador Kalabukhov said that cultural cooperation is an important foundation that helps improve relations between states and peoples. In that context, a draft agreement was announced for the establishment of a Russian cultural center in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will contribute to the improvement of cultural cooperation. He pointed out that the Russian Federation supports all decisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be made by compromise and dialogue within our country.
The interlocutors agreed that it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country with a thousand-year-long tradition, to be economically more stable and prosperous, and for all citizens to have equal rights and opportunities in our country.
Ambassador Kalabukhov reiterated the invitation to Minister Turkovic to visit Moscow in 2021, when the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Russian Federation will be marked, stated the MFA B&amp;H.

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UN supports the rights of survivors to speak publicly and report sexual violence

Avaz's lawyers demanded the immediate lifting of the ban on writing about Ranko Debevec

Sattler: It’s time to make progress

Erdogan says political opponents behind student protests

Komšić: Naming a street after Ratko Mladić an insult to all victims of genocide

Markale are a symbol of remembrance of the murdered citizens of Sarajevo: They were completely innocent ...

Bakir Izetbegović: Over cup of coffee, I will talk to Čović about the new FB&H Government and the Election Law

Mostar got a new City Council

Radončić: It does not matter who will go to the Presidency of B&H, it is important that those who rule for 30 years are finally dismissed

Belgium: Iranian diplomat convicted for bombing attempt

Poland's Walesa nominates Kremlin critic Navalny for Nobel

Dodik on the interrogation in the Prosecutor's Office of B&H: It was about the false report made by Bisera Turković

Number of tourists in B&H decreased by 1.1 million compared to 2019

Turković receives Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov in an inaugural visit

News

Borrell stands by as Lavrov calls EU ‘unreliable partner’

Human rights discussion marks EU-Russia meeting

UN supports the rights of survivors to speak publicly and report sexual violence

Avaz's lawyers demanded the immediate lifting of the ban on writing about Ranko Debevec

Sattler: It’s time to make progress

Erdogan says political opponents behind student protests

Komšić: Naming a street after Ratko Mladić an insult to all victims of genocide

Markale are a symbol of remembrance of the murdered citizens of Sarajevo: They were completely innocent ...

Bakir Izetbegović: Over cup of coffee, I will talk to Čović about the new FB&H Government and the Election Law

Mostar got a new City Council

Radončić: It does not matter who will go to the Presidency of B&H, it is important that those who rule for 30 years are finally dismissed

Belgium: Iranian diplomat convicted for bombing attempt

Poland's Walesa nominates Kremlin critic Navalny for Nobel

Dodik on the interrogation in the Prosecutor's Office of B&H: It was about the false report made by Bisera Turković

Number of tourists in B&H decreased by 1.1 million compared to 2019

Turković receives Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov in an inaugural visit