OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid held separate meetings yesterday with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Željko Komšić, Šefik Džaferović and Milorad Dodik. 

The meetings confirmed that the visit takes place during a particularly complex and challenging period for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- It was​ clear to me that there is a difference in outlook when it comes to key challenges and their resolution. From my side, I conveyed to all Presidency members the urgent need to decrease tensions, cease the use of divisive rhetoric and to restore the full functionality of State-level institutions - she stressed. 
Schmid urged political leaders to focus on implementing reforms and dealing with the real problems citizens face, for instance unemployment, corruption, and the need for quality, inclusive education.
- The ongoing crisis is negatively affecting the economy and discouraging investment. The aggregate result of these factors is the continued outflow of citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially young people - she said. 
Schmid also raised with all interlocutors the critical need for electoral reform. 
- Citizens are losing faith in elections, which undermines the very foundation of democracy. Citizens are losing faith in elections, which undermines the very foundation of democracy. Constructive engagement is needed to amend the B&amp;H Election Law in line with international standards. I underlined that the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), together with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, stand ready to provide expertise and facilitation in support of this critical effort - she stated. 
The OSCE, including through the OSCE Mission, will continue to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in keeping with the mandate provided under the Dayton Peace Accords.
- We will continue to focus on building trust, reconciliation and reform. Ultimately, responsibility rests with the country’s leaders to make the right decisions and to move forward. The many positive success stories at the local level across the country serve as an inspiration in this regard, and as proof that positive change is possible - Scmid concluded, OSCE announced.&nbsp;

The meetings confirmed that the visit takes place during a particularly complex and challenging period for Bosnia and Herzegovina

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi today, after the meetings with B&amp;H officials, said that his message to domestic leaders was to commit to political dialogue and reviving the European agenda for B&amp;H.

- Only then can this country fully realize all the benefits that come from European Union programs and funds, including the European investment package, which is a fundamental package of EU assistance aimed at improving the economy and supporting the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic - said Várhelyi.
He says that B&amp;H is an important beneficiary of this program and its implementation would enable the implementation of those key projects, which were previously agreed with the local authorities.
- However, this realization, in turn, requires urgent action. Some of the examples of projects are in the field of transport, such as Corridor Vc, which includes not only the motorway but also the railway traffic. Then demining of the Sava River, securing the road connection on the route Sarajevo - Podgorica, the gas interconnection between B&amp;H and Croatia. In general, this whole plan represents a significant chance for B&amp;H to completely transform its existing economic model and to make a step forward in terms of green and digital transformation, i.e .to go further in the direction of gradually reducing dependence on coal as raw material - said Várhelyi.
He also underlined that in order to fully enjoy all the benefits that come through this type of assistance, it is necessary to have urgent measures and activities to be taken, and in order to ensure the right assistance, including in the context of recovery after the pandemic.
- We need to have functional institutions at the level of B&amp;H. Decisions are still awaited that will ensure the realization of significant investments. Otherwise, there is a danger that these infrastructure investments will be lost. We are talking about almost 1.5 billion euros of infrastructure investments or 90 million euros that still remain for implementation under IPA for 2022. Without these urgent decisions, there is a danger for B&amp;H not to be a participant in the next year and numerous other programs such as the Creative Europe and Horizon 2020 programs, - Várhelyi emphasized.
He conveyed the message to the political leaders to use the existing offer of the European Union in the sense of political and financial support provided to B&amp;H, which will enable its recovery.
- That is why it is necessary to have a constructive dialogue and the will of all parties and stakeholders. Any boycott and blockades on either side are absolutely unacceptable and do not benefit anyone. We expect all political leaders to bring back their attention on the implementation of reforms - said Várhelyi, who is on a two-day visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Only then can this country fully realize all the benefits that come from European Union programs and funds, including the European investment package

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

This morning, the Foreigners Affairs Service of BiH (SPS) undertook operational activities aimed at controlling the movement and stay of migrants in the area of ​​Velika Kladuša, Cazin and the city of Bihać in order to relocate migrants from abandoned facilities to the temporary reception center Lipa.

The SPS inspectors controlled the movement and stay of migrants at the locations of Bosanska Bojna, Hadžin Potok, Crnaja, Turija, the Hippodrome, Elezovići, Kamenica and Stens.
At all these locations, inspectors for foreigners found a total of 30 people, originally from Afghanistan and Pakistan, of whom four were family members, 21 single persons and five unaccompanied minors.
The Service for Foreigners' Affairs relocated the mentioned migrants to the temporary reception center Lipa, where they were provided with medical assistance in accordance with epidemiological measures, their identification and registration, and accommodation, food and other non-food products.
Considering that five unaccompanied minors were found during the implementation of these activities, the competent Center for Social Work Velika Kladuša was informed in order to initiate the procedures for determining guardianship.

The SPS inspectors controlled the movement and stay of migrants at the locations of Bosanska Bojna, Hadžin Potok, Crnaja, Turija, the Hippodrome, Elezovići, Kamenica and Stens

Inspectors for foreigners found a total of 30 people

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people were burned to death early Tuesday in a bus accident in western Bulgaria.

The bus with North Macedonian license plate caught fire after crashing into a roadside barrier on a highway near the Pernik city, west of Sofia, according to private television NOVA.
Initial reports indicated 12 children were among those killed, while seven people injured in the accident were taken to a hospital in the capital.
It was reported that the bus departed Istanbul on Monday and entered Bulgaria late that night.

Among killed are 12 children as bus bursts into flames, according to private television

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Salakovac Refugee Reception Center received on Tuesday IT equipment provided by the B&amp;H Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees through the project "Support to the system of reception and integration of B&amp;H citizens returning under readmission agreements", which is implemented with the support of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The value of the project is 600,000 euros, and IT equipment worth 106,000 KM was procured for 20 local communities, i.e. 47 computers and 43 multifunctional devices, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of B&amp;H announced.
The aim is to strengthen local communities technically so that they can develop a system of monitoring and evaluation in providing support for the reintegration of persons returning under readmission.
The project led by the Ministry in cooperation with the implementing partner "Hilfswerk International" is of great importance for all actors involved in the readmission process.
The implementation of the project will continue the coordination of all levels of government in B&amp;H through the formation and construction of missing capacities, while fulfilling internationally accepted obligations, and enable the smooth acceptance and integration of others.

The value of the project is 600,000 euros, and IT equipment worth 106,000 KM was procured for 20 local communities, i.e. 47 computers and 43 multifunctional devices

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Members of the Collegia of both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina talked today with the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Helga Maria Schmid, who is on a working visit to B&amp;H, about the current situation in B&amp;H.

The meeting was attended by the Speaker and Vice-Speakers of the House of Representatives of the B&amp;H Parliamentary Assembly Denis Zvizdić, Nebojša Radmanović and Borjana Krišto, as well as the Deputy Speakers of the House of Peoples of the Parliament of B&amp;H Nikola Špirić and Bakir Izetbegović.
Thanking the members of the leadership of both houses of the PAB&amp;H for the long-term excellent cooperation that state institutions, especially the PAB&amp;H, achieved with the OSCE Mission to B&amp;H, Schmid expressed concern over the current political crisis in B&amp;H and the non-functioning of state institutions.
The senior OSCE official stressed the need for state institutions to start functioning at full capacity and advocated avoiding the rhetoric of divisions and secessionism, which she said were a huge obstacle to investment and reform on B&amp;H's European path.
Schmid appealed to the highest officials of the PAB&amp;H to establish a constructive dialogue in BiH on all open issues, and especially emphasized the issue of electoral reform and the adoption of amendments to the B&amp;H Election Law that would eliminate sources of discrimination in the electoral process and resolve technical issues that would preserve the integrity and ensure greater transparency of the electoral process.
In this regard, Schmid offered all the necessary support and assistance of the OSCE Mission, as well as partner international organizations working to promote democracy and electoral processes throughout Europe and the world.
Members of the leadership of both houses of the PABiH presented their views on the current situation in B&amp;H and possible directions for resolving the political crisis and open issues.
They stressed the complexity of the political situation, the need to preserve peace, establish dialogue and build trust, as well as the need for the European Union to show a clear intention to expand to the Western Balkans and accelerate the European integration process for all countries in the region.
At the meeting, which was attended by the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec, members of the collegium of both houses of the PAB&amp;H expressed gratitude to the OSCE Mission for support and implemented projects in the field of rule of law, anti-corruption, institution-building and areas of improving the electoral and educational process in B&amp;H.
As announced, the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid will inform all 57 OSCE participating States about the results of the visit to B&amp;H.

The senior OSCE official stressed the need for state institutions to start functioning at full capacity and advocated avoiding the rhetoric of divisions and secessionism

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

The Ukrainian foreign minister said on Monday that whether Russia will launch a new attack on his country depends on the strength of his country and its partners.

Speaking to the Ukraine 24 TV channel, Dmytro Kuleba said he thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin is mulling a new attack on Ukraine.
- Two factors will determine whether he (Putin) will implement this option; firstly, our own strength and the composure of the Ukrainians, and secondly, the strength and coordination of our partners - he stressed. 
Underlining that they need to demonstrate maximum effectiveness as a society and state in the coming months, he urged the people not to panic.
Russia has been trying to destabilize Ukraine in many ways since 2014, he said, adding that Russia's main aim is to make Ukraine as weak as possible by destabilizing the country internally and by preventing it from cooperation in the defense sector with other countries.
Earlier this month, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Russia has continued its military buildup near its border and has stationed 90,000 Russian troops, according to The Associated Press.
Russia seized and occupied Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and remains the de facto authority there. Moscow also that year began to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine against the central government, a policy that it has maintained over the past seven years.
Its spring buildup led to concerns then of an imminent invasion of Ukraine, but Moscow drew down its forces beginning in April.

Russia’s possible attack depends on strength of Ukraine, its partners, says Dmytro Kuleba

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Rumen Radev won the runoff of the presidential elections in Bulgaria on Sunday, according to exit polls.

Alphe Research’s poll said Radev and Vice President Iliyana Yotova received 63.9 % of the votes, while Sofia University Rector Anastas Gerdjikov and Col. Nevyana Miteva received 33.1%.
A total of 3% of the voters did not support any of the candidates.
Out of 6.66 million registered voters in Bulgaria, only 2.5 million voters cast their ballots, and the turnout in the election remained at 33.7%.
A total of 90,000 votes came from Turkey in the first round, while the number of votes in the second round was around 23,000.
Voter turnout was only 40.2% and no candidate collected more than half of the votes in the first round of the elections in the Balkan country.
Mustafa Karadayi, the head of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms party, the only candidate representing ethnic Turks and other Muslims, came third in the first round with 11.5% of the votes.
Over 6.6 million citizens were registered to vote at 13,200 polling stations in Bulgaria and 750 centers in 67 other countries.
Turkey, home to many dual Bulgarian nationals, had 58 polling stations for Sunday’s vote.

Rumen Radev received 63.9 % of votes, according to Alphe Research’s poll

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

The FB&amp;H Ministry of Labor and Social Policy informs the public that the Law on the Proclamation of November 25 as the Statehood Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina stipulates that the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a national holiday, and on that day state bodies, enterprises and other legal entities will not work.

Accordingly, November 25 - Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina is celebrated as a national holiday only one day on the day of the national holiday, and Thursday, November 25, 2021, will be a non-working day, the Ministry announced.&nbsp;

November 25 will be a non-working day

State bodies, enterprises and other legal entities will not work

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sifet Podžić, received today the Commander of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, on the occasion of the end of his one-year mandate.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Defense for Resource Management Mirko Okolić, as well as Assistant Minister of Defense of B&amp;H for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović.
Minister Podžić thanked General Folkestad for the support of the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo during his mandate and expressed his expectation for the continuation of successful cooperation.
Cooperation in the Reform Program, the Planning and Audit Process (PARP), the Operational Capability Assessment Program and the building of integrity in the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of B&amp;H were especially emphasized.
General Folkestad once again emphasized the commitment of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo to continue cooperation, and thanked for the correct and successful cooperation.
He emphasized that in the continuation of his professional career, he will help Bosnia and Herzegovina in its development and on the path to Euro-Atlantic integration, announced the B&amp;H Ministry of Defense.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Defense for Resource Management Mirko Okolić, as well as Assistant Minister of Defense of B&H for International Cooperation Zoran Šajinović

Folkestad emphasizes the commitment of NATO HQ to continue cooperation

Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of B&amp;H Bisera Turković will meet today in Sarajevo with the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Helga Maria Schmid.

A meeting of the delegations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&amp;H and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&amp;H.
After the meeting, Turković and Schmid will give statements to the media, announced the Press Service of the MoFA of B&amp;H.

The meeting will be held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of B&H

Turković to meet with OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid

Belarus announced Thursday that it has cleared makeshift camps on its border with Poland and moved migrants to a nearby warehouse that the government has converted into a processing center.

In the afternoon, the migrants, who are seeking to emigrate to Europe, began packing their belongings in the forested area and camps they had set up along the border in Belarus' Grodno region.
The families with children and others, who are mostly from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran and some other Asian and African countries, left the camp.
With the few remaining migrants leaving in the evening, the area was completely cleared.&nbsp;The Belarusian State Border Committee announced that since there is no one left in the camps, journalists cannot work in the area but can continue their work at the processing center in the Bruzgi border region where the migrants are now settled.
At the instruction of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, medical aid, water and hygiene products were distributed to the migrants.
After spending 10 days in tents in cold weather, migrant groups quickly made their way to the processing center.
In the sheltered area, children played while mothers took care of their infants. There were also those who prayed.
Belarusian authorities are planning to set up a separate enclosed area for groups of migrants that could not enter the center. The presidential aide for the Grodno region, Yury Karayev, and his team personally led the aid activities in the region.
Since August, the European Union countries bordering Belarus -- Lithuania, Latvia and Poland -- have reported a dramatically growing number of irregular crossings.
Over 8,000 people have tried to enter the bloc via the Belarus-EU border so far this year, up sharply from just 150 last year.
According to the EU, Belarus reaches out to potential travelers through seemingly official channels, including diplomatic missions and travel agencies, and invites them to Belarus by offering them visas. They are then allegedly guided to the EU border.
Over the last week, at least 2,000 people, including women and children, have been stuck in the Belarusian-Polish border area in dire conditions.

Migrants mostly from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Iran

A view of a deserted migrants' camp as migrants at the Poland-Belarus border cleared camps and moved to the closed area prepared by the Belarusian government within the border region, in Grodno, Belarus on November 18, 2021.

Belarus clears migrant camps at Polish border

NATO urged Russia on Friday to refrain from escalating tensions on the border with Ukraine.

- We see a large and unusual concentration of Russian forces close to Ukraine's borders - NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, ahead of their meeting in Berlin.
- It is urgent that Russia shows transparency about its military build-up, de-escalate and reduce tensions. NATO is monitoring the situation closely and we continue to provide political and practical support to Ukraine - he added.
Merkel also expressed concern about Russia’s recent military activities in the region, but underlined the importance of continued dialogue with Russia.
- I’ve always supported dialogue between NATO and Russia - she said.
- Although there may be major differences between NATO and Russia, I believe it’s always better to keep talking to each other - she added.
The US media reported last week that the Biden administration officially warned its European allies over Russia's recent military build-up, saying the Kremlin may well be planning another invasion of the neighboring country.
Ukraine has been plagued by conflict in its eastern regions since March 2014, following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. Western nations accuse Russia of destabilizing the region by providing military support to the separatists.

NATO chief Stoltenberg says alliance closely monitoring situation near Ukraine’s border, continues to support Kyiv

It is urgent that Russia shows transparency about its military build-up, de-escalate and reduce tensions

NATO urges Russia to show transparency about its military build-up

The Turkish foreign minister and his Russian counterpart held a phone conversation on Friday, according to diplomatic sources.

Mevlut Cavusoglu and Sergey Lavrov discussed bilateral ties, as well as regional developments, the sources added.

Mevlut Cavusoglu and Sergey Lavrov hold phone conversation

Diplomatic sources: Turkish FM discusses ties with Russian counterpart

NATO has called on Germany’s prospective new coalition government to back the alliance’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

- Our aim is a world free of nuclear weapons. But as long as others have them, NATO must have them too - Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in Berlin on Friday.
His remarks came after claims that prospective coalition partners, the Social Democrats, Greens, and Free Democrats, may soon agree on a foreign policy blueprint contradicting NATO’s nuclear deterrence.
Addressing a group of foreign policy experts, politicians, and journalists at the German Atlantic Association, Stoltenberg said Germany has a special responsibility to keep NATO strong.
- And I count on Germany to remain committed to NATO’s nuclear sharing. It is our ultimate security guarantee - he added.
He warned that Russia has invested significantly in recent years in military capabilities, including new, advanced nuclear weapons.
Media reports earlier speculated that the new German government may take steps towards the withdrawal of US nuclear bombs, which are stationed in the country as part of NATO arrangements.
Stoltenberg said nuclear weapons stationed in Europe provide allies an effective nuclear umbrella.
- And they are an important signal of Allied unity against any nuclear-armed adversary. So NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements are of particular importance for Europe - he said.
As many as 20 US B61 nuclear bombs are said to be stored at the Buechel Air Base in southwestern Germany, as part of NATO's nuclear deterrence doctrine.
Stoltenberg said that if Germany’s new government withdraws from NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement, then the alliance would seek other alternatives and deploy these weapons in another country in Eastern Europe.
- As Germany, you can of course decide whether there will be nuclear weapons in your country. But, the alternative is that we easily end up with nuclear weapons in other countries in Europe, also to the east of Germany - he said.
The Greens have long argued that the country should be free from nuclear weapons, and it wants Germany to join the UN’s nuclear weapons ban treaty. Senior members of the Social Democrats also publicly opposed deployment of US nuclear weapons on German territory.
The Free Democrats, meanwhile, are backing nuclear disarmament initiatives, but insist that any decision on the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from Germany should be coordinated with NATO allies.

Stoltenberg tells prospective coalition partners that NATO’s nuclear umbrella essential for Europe’s security

NATO calls on new German government to back nuclear deterrence

Representatives of the Ministry of Security of B&amp;H, cantonal and city authorities, the European Union, as well as all international organizations involved in the migration process in our country, attended today's opening of the newly built reception center at Lipa site near Bihać. 

Lipa reception center should now significantly reduce the pressure of a large number of migrants and refugees on the city center, i.e. public areas and abandoned buildings in the center of Bihać.
- This primarily confirms that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite the political crisis, can do what is expected of them, and I hope that through dialogue and compromise they will continue to solve and overcome all complex problems. Also, a humane approach prevailed, or to be more precise - these people in need were guaranteed the right to be treated humanely. First of all, I must thank the citizens of Bihać, who have really shown empathy in the past. The European Union has invested 1.7 million euros in the multi-purpose reception center 'Lipa', while the other half of the necessary funds were provided by our international partners Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy. This is just another proof that we are all working together to help Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Head of the European Union Delegation to B&amp;H, Ambassador Johann Sattler.
The modernized reception center has an accommodation capacity for about 1,500 people, and was formed as a container settlement with provided drinking water, electricity and all other necessities for dignified accommodation and stay of people in need. A special area in this container settlement is provided for vulnerable categories of service users, i.e. families with children and unaccompanied minors.
Prime Minister of the Una-Sana Canton Mustafa Ružnić and Mayor of Bihać Šuhret Fazlić especially emphasized the importance of maximum engagement of the B&amp;H Ministry of Security and other competent institutions in B&amp;H, considering that more efficient control of migrants' movement, coordination of activities on the ground and management of temporary reception centers.
The camp will be managed by members of the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of B&amp;H, in cooperation with members of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other international organizations. Assistance for the security of the camp itself will be provided by the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies with the support and engagement of the Ministry of the Interior of the Una-Sana Canton (USC MoI).

It was formed as a container settlement with provided drinking water, electricity and all other necessities for dignified accommodation and stay of people in need

Lipa reception center should now significantly reduce the pressure of a large number of migrants and refugees on the city center

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Folkestad emphasizes the commitment of NATO HQ to continue cooperation

Turković to meet with OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid

Belarus clears migrant camps at Polish border

NATO urges Russia to show transparency about its military build-up

Diplomatic sources: Turkish FM discusses ties with Russian counterpart

NATO calls on new German government to back nuclear deterrence

About 250 migrants accommodated in the newly opened Lipa reception center

News

Schmid: Restore the full functionality of state-level institutions

Várhelyi told the leaders to dedicate themselves to reviving the European agenda

Migrants from several locations transferred to Lipa temporary reception center

At least 46 people killed in bus accident in Bulgaria

Donation of IT equipment for Salakovac refugee center

Schmid with B&H parliamentarians: Concern over the current political crisis

Ukrainian foreign minister accuses Putin of mulling new attack

Incumbent leader Radev wins presidential elections

B&H Statehood Day on Thursday

Folkestad emphasizes the commitment of NATO HQ to continue cooperation

Turković to meet with OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid

Belarus clears migrant camps at Polish border

NATO urges Russia to show transparency about its military build-up

Diplomatic sources: Turkish FM discusses ties with Russian counterpart

NATO calls on new German government to back nuclear deterrence

About 250 migrants accommodated in the newly opened Lipa reception center