The President of the Alliance for a Better Future (SBB), Fahrudin Radončić, posten on his Instagram profile after today's meeting with the US envoy in charge of reforming the B&amp;H Election Law, Matthew Palmer.
- There is much more at stake than the election law. If our politicians do not understand that the American mediation rope for reaching a compromise agreement on changing the Election Law is the last chance for stabilization and a more secure future for B&amp;H, the consequences will be incalculable.
By the end of the year, the public and international partners will understand who are really power-loving populists, selfish leaders and sick careerists who publicly or secretly want a triple division, and who are politicians with full state responsibility towards a difficult historical challenge and citizens.

And, whose priority is a stable Bosnia and Herzegovina, harmonized interethnic relations, economic development, stopping the division of B&amp;H, peace, regional and Euro-Atlantic integration before positions or ideological interests.
Compromise is the mother of all successes.
We have a potent negotiating platform. Thank you, Mr. Palmer and Mr. Nelson, for their exceptional work, diplomatic innovation and persistence - Radončić wrote on Instagram.
And yesterday, Radončić, like other party presidents, had a longer working breakfast "in private" with Palmer and Nelson.

Compromise is the mother of all successes, Radončić wrote on Instagram

Nelson, Radončić, Palmer, Kojović, Magazinović and Konaković

Radončić: There is much more at stake than the Election Law

Since my last visit, I have taken on a new function that is enlightened to the reform of the Electoral System in B&amp;H, said the US envoy in charge of reforming the B&amp;H Election Law, Matthew Palmer.
He added that the goal is to harmonize the legislation with those in the EU and in order to fulfill the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
- The goal is to introduce transparency and fairness in the original process. I believe that there is a possibility that is open in B&amp;H, and to try to implement significant electoral reforms this year. I think we can have the necessary support in Parliament as well. This will also require targeted constitutional changes. We are doing everything in our power, we are here to help the parties sit down at the negotiating table - Palmer explained.

<h2>We want to see a solid system in the Federation</h2>

Asked about the necessary reforms and the parties' reactions to the US proposals, Palmer said that a compromise was necessary.
- We do not represent any political spectrum in B&amp;H. We want to help the parties reach an agreement. I'm not going to tell you what the deal should look like, that's what the parties should say. We can say what we think should be part of the negotiations. We believe that constitutional changes are needed. We cannot say what the parties should agree on. It is hard work, but it is democracy. My job is not to order something from someone, but to help get the conversation going - Palmer emphasized.
Speaking about the House of Peoples, Palmer pointed out that the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights refer to the state House of Peoples.
- There are a lot of questions about the federal House of Peoples, but it belongs to the parties to lead those talks. We want to see a solid system in the Federation that will ensure that people elect their representatives and that they serve those citizens. There are a lot of ways to find balance, I can’t say how that will happen. I am here and the EU is here to help. Voters, citizens are the main ones in this process. We are just helping, but B&amp;H must have a system that is strong and in line with the intentions for EU membership - Palmer believes.

When asked about the competencies of the Presidency of B&amp;H, Palmer pointed out that it is useful to discuss the competencies.
- I think that they also understand the interests of the citizens involved in this process. I will not tell you what the parameters of some existing institutions are, it is not my job, it is the job of the parties. My job is to facilitate conversations. If B&amp;H wants to join the EU, then that is the future that the citizens and B&amp;H want. But the obligations that imply that must be fulfilled. The conditions that are implied when EU membership needs to be met. First of all, it is a question of the "Sejdić and Finci" verdict. This must be done by basic political actors and opposition parties. There is not just one answer. There are many ways this can be done. Judgments must be implemented, electoral system reform must exist to ensure fairness and transparency. There must be a majority in Parliament that will allow the necessary laws to be passed. We will help as in the case of Mostar - said Palmer.
He added that there is no alternative to standing and talking.
- This is not the only issue that is of interest to the United States. My focus is on electoral reform, but that is not the only problem that needs to be addressed in B&amp;H. We are promoting the agreement - Palmer emphasized.

<h2>File's model is not the only one</h2>

Speaking about meetings with political leaders, Palmer said he is committed to believing there is a solution and room for agreement.
- Based on the conversations I had, I believe that there is a common understanding that there is an urgent need for progress and that there is a chance for the parties to come together and agree, and to protect the interests of their voters. It’s not easy, but there is that path. As it happened in Mostar, it took years, but we will work with the parties on that. File's model is one of the ways to go further. But the question is how to achieve that the model reflects B&amp;H, and that is one state, two entities and three peoples. How to ensure that anyone is elected to public office. File's model is not the only one, but the concept is open to progress. There is no fixed constituency which is why some have said it is a slippery slope towards the third entity. We would also support some variant of File's model, no one will come out of these talks 100 satisfied - Palmer pointed out.
He added that the OHR has its own 5 + 2 agenda.
- The USA is working in partnership with the EU within this reform, we are talking to the OHR, but this is not their focus - Palmer emphasized.

<h2>Some parties will have reservations about asymmetric solutions</h2>

When asked about his function, Palmer pointed out that the United States sees the same as the citizens of B&amp;H.
- We see a blockade of state institutions, but this should be an additional motive. And the blockade needs to be overcome and the institution strengthened in order to face political challenges. Crises are normal, navigating through crises and challenges is the responsibility of elected leaders. I understand everything and understand the pressures, but I hope that the leaders will understand that as a signal that they must enter the negotiations to reach an agreement by the end of this year - Palmer said.
When asked about the legitimacy of the new High Representative, Palmer pointed out that the right procedure was followed.
- Schmidt was appointed through PIC procedures in B&amp;H. The fact is that Russia refuses that, but I am not too interested in that - Palmer said.
He added that it is possible to discuss asymmetric solutions for B&amp;H in terms of electoral reform.
- It is up to the parties, we will not say which level is acceptable and which is not. Some parties will have reservations about asymmetric solutions - Palmer explained.

<h2>There is room for work on judicial reform</h2>

When asked about the situation in the judiciary, Palmer pointed out that the rule of law is fundamental.
- It is the center of American strategy. That was the case from the beginning. There is certainly room for work on judicial reform. There is no chance that B&amp;H will progress towards the EU without judicial reform. We have invested a lot in that so far. Over time we had to look, we are not satisfied, a lot of work that needs to be done and we are partners along the way. We bring in our experts and we have invested a lot. The public should be fair to choose the individuals who will represent their interests. That requires a judicial system that will ensure all that - Palmer emphasized.
Asked about the leaders' future negotiations, Palmer said he thought the leaders were capable and that the agreement on Mostar proved that.
- There was pressure and it took time. I don’t want to go into hypothetical questions in terms of what methods the U.S. is doing to put pressure. I don't mind repeating myself, but it is up to the parties to decide how and what they will agree on. Sometimes it’s good to have a third party at the table who isn’t too interested. I think I can help, I know these people. The EU is also there to help, but they have to do the hard work. This is an agreement and an exchange of interests. This is difficult in the United States as well, and it is not the only thing that is difficult in B&amp;H. They are capable and I am convinced of that - said Palmer.

He added that he would be satisfied with a minimal reform package that would improve the transparency of the election process.
- We want to see a result that is consistent and in line with the path to the EU - Palmer emphasized.
According to him, citizens are the key.
- The state is a group of citizens and they all have the right as individuals. Individual citizens have rights and should be respected by the state. A system should be established so that a Serb in the FB&amp;H has the same rights as everyone else and also a Bosniak in the RS. That is the basic European principle. And that should be harmonized with the principles of one state, two entities and three peoples - Palmer concluded.

Judgments must be implemented, electoral system reform must exist to ensure fairness and transparency

Palmer: We are doing everything in our power, we are here to help the parties sit down at the negotiating table

Matthew Palmer for "Avaz": Electoral and judicial reform in B&H is necessary

US envoy for electoral reform in B&amp;H Matthew Palmer continued talks with political leaders in B&amp;H today, the US Embassy in B&amp;H announced on its Twitter profile.
-Palmer met with political party leaders today to discuss the imperative of electoral reform, including limited constitutional changes, and election integrity. It is clear that everyone has an interest and stake in a more functional Bosnia&amp;Herzegovina where everyone’s democratic rights are protected- they wrote. 
Namely, this morning Palmer met with SBB leader Fahrudin Radončić, former president of Naša stranka Predrag Kojović, SDP MP in the House of Representatives of the B&amp;H Parliament Saša Magazinović and president of the party Narod i pravda Elmedin Konaković. The meeting was also attended by US Ambassador to B&amp;H Eric Nelson.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Palmer met with pol. party leaders today to discuss the imperative of electoral reform, including limited constitutional changes, and election integrity. It is clear that everyone has an interest and stake in a more functional 🇧🇦 where everyone’s democratic rights are protected. <a href="https://t.co/KbkkSitfdM">pic.twitter.com/KbkkSitfdM</a>— US Embassy Sarajevo (@USEmbassySJJ) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassySJJ/status/1443871621387890691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It is clear that everyone has an interest and stake in a more functional B&H, the US Embassy in B&H said

Palmer and Nelson this morning at a meeting with political leaders in B&H

Palmer continues talks with B&H political leaders: Electoral reform is imperative

B&amp;H politicians continued talks today with Matthew Palmer, the US official in charge of reforming the B&amp;H Election Law.
The US State Department's special envoy for electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Palmer, arrived in Sarajevo the day before yesterday to help B&amp;H make progress in electoral reforms.
This US official in charge of reforming the B&amp;H Election Law also met with several political party leaders yesterday to discuss the need for electoral reform and improving the work of state institutions, including Dragan Čović leader of HDZ B&amp;H, SBB president Fahrudin Radončić and, Elmedin Konaković, head of NiP.
A meeting was held at the residence of the American ambassador, Eric Nelson, this morning as well, which was attended by, among others, Radončić, Sasa Magazinović and Peđa Kojović.

A meeting was held this morning at the residence of US Ambassador Eric Nelson, which was attended by, among others, Radončić, Sasa Magazinović and Peđa Kojović

Magazinović, Radončić and Kojović after the meeting with Palmer

B&H politicians continued talks with Matthew Palmer

Head of the EU Delegation to B&amp;H and the EU Special Representative in B&amp;H, Ambassador Johann Sattler, said in Sarajevo today that the question is not whether, but when the countries of the Western Balkans will become part of the EU.

At the opening of the panel discussion "Initiative, Engagement, Enthusiasm – Strengthening Democracy in B&amp;H and the Region through Civic Activism”, Sattler said that it was a clear message of yesterday's visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- There is a tradition of civic activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, and that is why it is important to include those voices in the debate on the future of Europe - said Sattler.
President of the Association "Sharp Zero" from Banja Luka, Milica Pralica, pointed out that in order to reach EU standards, it is necessary for citizens to start educating themselves about their civil rights and what they can do regarding corruption and nepotism.
Activist of the "Let's not let Belgrade drown" movement, Dobrica Veselinović, said that this region has much more to offer than flourishing of nationalism, and that is optimism, hope and rising up against injustice and the problems of future.
The panel discussion gathered representatives of civil society from B&amp;H and the region to exchange best practices, ideas and challenges in the field of civic engagement and explore ways to integrate it into the policy-making process.

There is a tradition of civic activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, and that is why it is important to include those voices in the debate on the future of Europe, he said

Sattler: Question is not whether but when WB countries will become part of EU

A former UK police officer who was charged with the murder of a 33-year-old woman has been sentenced to life in prison with a “whole life order” by a British court.

Wayne Couzens, 48, will spend all his life behind the bars after found guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder of Sarah Everard last March.
The sentencing came Thursday on the second day of the hearing.
Couzens used his police warrant card and handcuffs to stage an arrest before kidnapping the victim on March 3.
He then drove to Kent from London to rape before strangling her with his police belt and burning her body.
Couzens hired a car and bought adhesive tape before “hunting for a lone young female to kidnap and rape”, the prosecution told the court on Wednesday.
The former Metropolitan Police officer handcuffed her in the back seat of his car and “that was the start of her lengthy ordeal, including an 80-mile journey whilst detained which was to lead first to her rape and then her murder,” Tom Little QC told the court.
- I have not the slightest doubt that the defendant used his position as a police officer to coerce her on a wholly false pretext into the car he had hired for this purpose - Lord Justice Fulford said.
He said: “It is most likely that he suggested to Sarah Everard that she had breached the restrictions on movement that were being enforced during that stage of the pandemic.
- Any explanation other than coercion fails to take into account her character and the evidence of the occupants of a passing vehicle who saw her being handcuffed.-Fulford added: “Sarah Everard was a wholly blameless victim of a grotesquely executed series of offences that culminated in her death and the disposal of her body.”

Couzens had worked a shift as an armed police officer guarding the US Embassy in London hours before the kidnapping, got Everard into the hire car “by handcuffing her, as well as showing her his warrant card,” Little said.

- At some point fairly soon after driving from the pavement on to the South Circular and having not gone to a police station, Sarah Everard must have realised her fate.-The prosecution added that the crimes were so serious, involving the abuse of his position and trust as a police officer.
Little said: “She was detained by fraud. The defendant using his warrant card and handcuffs as well as his other police issue equipment to effect a false arrest.”
He also said Everard was the victim of “deception, kidnap, rape, strangulation, fire.”
Everard’s kidnap and murder sent shockwaves across the country in March and women’s safety on streets has become a hot topic.
Earlier in September, Sabina Ness, a 28-year-old primary school teacher, was attacked and killed as she was taking a five-minute walk from home to meet her friends in London.
Her body was found near the One Space Community Center at Kidbrooke Park Road in Greenwich nearly 24 hours after the murder, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Wayne Couzens staged fake arrest before kidnapping, raping and murdering 33-year-old Sarah Everard in March, court heard

Couzens used his police warrant card and handcuffs to stage an arrest before kidnapping the victim on March 3

UK police officer sentenced ‘to whole life order' over murder of woman

Amid ongoing drive against Muslims and their worship places, France has shut down one-third of 89 inspected mosques since November 2020, the French interior minister said.

Gerald Darmanin told Le Figaro newspaper that before the "anti-separatism law" was enacted, 650 places were closed in the country for allegedly housing "extremists", and 24,000 places were inspected by French police.
Darmanin stated that as a result of the inspections carried out in 89 mosques since November 2020 over radicalization allegations, one-third of them have been closed, adding they are taking action to close six more mosques in Sarthe, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Cote-d'Or, Rhone, and Gard regions.
Darmanin added they also opposed the construction of a mosque called "Eyup Sultan" in Strasbourg, which is affiliated with the Islamic Community National View (IGMG), despite the approval from local authorities.
Noting that five Muslim associations allegedly promoting the so-called "political Islam" have been closed so far, the minister said the separatism law allows them to do more than that.
There will be a total of 10 additional associations closed, with four of them closing in October, he said, adding bank accounts of 205 associations were confiscated and two imams were expelled.
- We spread terror among those who want to impose terror on us - he said, adding that religious officials from abroad will not be able to come to the country starting 2023 and that he has instructed the governors not to renew the residence permits of those who are here.
He said they do not renew residence cards of people sentenced for drug trafficking and domestic violence in the country.
France has limited the number of visas issued to Algerian, Tunisian, and Moroccan citizens in order to enable these countries to readmit their citizens deported by France, he said.

In August, France’s highest constitutional authority approved a controversial “anti-separatism” law that has been criticized for singling out Muslims, striking down just two of its articles.

The bill was passed by the National Assembly in July, despite strong opposition from both rightist and leftist lawmakers.
The government claims that the legislation is intended to strengthen France's secular system, but critics believe that it restricts religious freedom and marginalizes Muslims.
The bill has been criticized for targeting France's Muslim community – the largest in Europe, with 3.35 million members – and imposing restrictions on many aspects of its members' lives.
The law allows officials to intervene in mosques and associations responsible for their administration, as well as control the finances of Muslim-affiliated associations and NGOs.
It also restricts the educational choices of Muslims by making homeschooling subject to official permission.
Under the law, patients are prohibited from choosing their doctors based on gender for religious or other reasons, and "secularism education" has been made compulsory for all civil servants.
France has been criticized by international organizations and NGOs, especially the UN, for targeting and marginalizing Muslims with the law.

6 more mosques to be shut over radicalization, says French interior minister

Gerald Darmanin told Le Figaro newspaper that before the "anti-separatism law" was enacted, 650 places were closed in the country for allegedly housing "extremists", and 24,000 places were inspected by French police

France closes nearly 30 mosques in less than a year

Pakistani authorities on Thursday announced strict restrictions on non-vaccinated people in the country, including a ban on boarding domestic and international flights.

Non-vaccinated people will also not be allowed into educational institutions, shopping malls, or restaurants as of Friday, said the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), Pakistan's anti-virus task force, urging people to get vaccinated before the Friday deadline.
On Tuesday, the NCOC relaxed restrictions in eight most-vaccinated cities, namely Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, and Skardu.
Asad Umar, who heads the nation’s anti-virus strategy, said in a separate statement that the only way to overcome the coronavirus pandemic was to "get a high percentage of citizens vaccinated."
- Therefore, as part of the strategy to reward citizens &amp; cities which vaccinate, there will be higher restrictions on cities with low level of vaccination &amp; on citizens who are not vaccinated - he added.
Umar also announced that children older than 12 would be eligible for vaccination and that an initiative would be launched to administer jabs in schools.
Pakistan has expedited its inoculation drive in recent weeks, with over 80 million vaccine doses given to date and nearly one million shots in the last 24 hours.
Over 27.4 million people have been fully vaccinated so far, according to Health Ministry data, while the country recorded 1,742 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, raising the total to 1.24 million.
With 39 additional fatalities, the death toll also increased to 27,729 and 1.16 million people have recovered.

Unvaccinated people to be barred from shopping malls, restaurants, domestic, international airline travel starting Friday

Non-vaccinated people will also not be allowed into educational institutions, shopping malls, or restaurants as of Friday

Pakistan imposes strict restrictions for non-vaccinated travel

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s help for the release of Ukrainian citizens detained by Russia, the Ukrainian foreign minister said on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference, Dmytro Kuleba recalled that Zelensky and Erdogan held one-on-one and delegation-level talks in New York, where they attended the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.
Kuleba said that during the meeting, Zelensky handed Erdogan a list of 450 Ukrainian detainees, including Nariman Dzhelyal, the deputy head of the Crimean Tatar National Assembly.
Russian forces entered the Crimean Peninsula in February 2014, with Russian President Vladimir Putin formally dividing the region into two separate federal subjects of the Russian Federation the following month.
Crimea's ethnic Tartars have faced persecution since that time, a situation especially decried by Turkey.
Turkey, the EU, and US, as well as the UN General Assembly, view the annexation as illegal.

Ukrainian president handed Recep Tayyip Erdogan list of 450 Ukrainians detained by Russia, says Ukrainian foreign minister

Ukraine seeks Turkish president’s help for release of prisoners from Russia

The world should not live in fear of the coronavirus as it will continue to exist for some years, but it has become manageable, said co-founder of the German company BioNTech on Thursday.

- COVID-19 will become manageable - Ozlem Tureci said on CNBC, adding, - It already has started to become manageable.-In the latest episode of the “CNBC Conversation,” Tureci stressed that they will “need to go back to a new normality because this virus will accompany us for, still, some years.”
Commenting on concerns over new coronavirus variants, Tureci said, "BioNTech continuously assesses those upcoming variants, and there will be more.”
- For all these variants that are currently circulating, it seems that boosters alone, bringing waning immune responses back to high levels, are suitable and do protect - she commented.
- However, we have to continue to screen because there may be variants upcoming for which this is not the case. And we have a second pillar for this, which is that we train ourselves to be swift and adaptable in the event of a variant - she noted.
She said additional data is needed to help them figure out how to get out of the virus outbreak, but that subsequent boosters might be given “every 12 or 18 months.”
Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci, two Turkish-German scientists, have won the most prestigious medicine award in Germany for their achievements in the use of mRNA for preventive and therapeutic purposes, the Scientific Council of the Paul Ehrlich Foundation announced on Sept. 21.
Sahin and Tureci, the second-generation Turkish immigrants who co-founded BioNTech, the German firm that developed a COVID-19 vaccine alongside Pfizer, were among the scientists to win the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize 2022.
The Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize is Germany’s most renowned medical award, endowed with €120,000, said the foundation's website.
Sahin and Tureci are a husband-and-wife duo who surprised the world when they announced that the vaccine they developed together with US pharmaceutical company Pfizer was more than 90% effective at preventing COVID-19.
Theirs was the first vaccine released, faster than many had predicted, and it relied on cutting-edge mRNA technology that the couple had championed.

Ozlem Tureci suggests world should not live in fear as pandemic already started to become manageable

"Manageable" COVID-19 to continue to exist for some years, says BioNTech co-founder

Germany’s Social Democrats and their rival Christian Democrats will hold separate talks with other parties on Sunday to discuss coalition government options, party officials said on Thursday.

 The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which narrowly won the elections ahead of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), will first hold a meeting with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and then the environmentalist Greens party on Sunday.
 On the same day, conservative leader Armin Laschet is scheduled to meet with top officials of the Free Democrats. Laschet and his team will meet with co-chairs of the Greens on Tuesday, the CDU’s Secretary General Paul Ziemiak told reporters in Berlin.
 The SPD narrowly defeated conservative CDU/CSU bloc in Sunday’s national elections but fell short of a parliamentary majority, and results showed the country may face months of negotiations between parties to form a coalition government.
 While the liberal FDP came fourth in the elections, it emerged as a kingmaker, with major coalition scenarios now depend on the party’s decision.
 The leaders of the SPD and Greens have already said that they would like to form a three-way coalition government with the FDP, but the Free Democrats want to keep all options open.
 The Greens and Free Democrats will meet on Friday for exploratory talks to see whether they can bridge their differences on minimum wage, climate protection goals and tax policy.

Social Democrats, rival Christian Democrats aim at forming three-way coalition government with liberal FDP and Greens

 The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which narrowly won the elections ahead of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), will first hold a meeting with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and then the environmentalist Greens party on Sunday

German parties in preliminary coalition talks to form new government

Turkish and Russian presidents discussed bilateral ties and regional issues during their meeting held on Wednesday, the Kremlin spokesman said on Thursday.

The duo discussed developments in Syria’s Idlib, stressed the importance of bilateral agreements between the two countries and reaffirm their commitment to the agreements, Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The leaders also exchanged views on developments in Afghanistan, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, Peskov said, adding the Russian side said that parties should seek negotiated solutions on the delimitation of borders and the development of transport infrastructure in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991, when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.
New clashes erupted last September and ended on Nov. 10 with a Russian-brokered cease-fire.
During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from Armenia's nearly three-decade occupation.
Peskov said that Putin and Erdogan also talked about natural gas and its supply.
- Putin greatly appreciated the timely and effective decisions of the Turkish administration regarding the TurkStream project. Decisions were made quickly, everything was implemented on time, very quickly - he said.
Peskov said that at a time when the prices of the natural gas and energy market in Europe increased, Turkey felt safe against such sudden changes with all its existing infrastructure.
The Kremlin spokesman said that the two leaders also discussed the continuation of military technical cooperation and the expansion of contacts regarding the S-400 air defense missile systems.
- The possibility of producing some parts of the S-400 in Turkey was also discussed - said Peskov.
Recalling that the US removed Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program, Peskov said that cooperation in the field of aviation between Turkey and Russia was on the agenda.
- Putin and Erdogan also discussed major projects on the joint agenda. First, the schedules for continuing construction and completing the first power unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. They talked about the possible construction of new units and what needs to be done in general in terms of our cooperation for the emerging sector of the peaceful atom, nuclear energy in Turkey - Peskov said.
Peskov said that Putin brought up the issue of the cooperation in the field of space and the two leaders touched upon the "Turkish cosmonaut preparations."
Putin and Erdogan discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination, the two leaders stressed the importance of vaccination in fight against the pandemic.

Both leaders reaffirm commitment to agreements regarding Idlib, Syria, says Kremlin spokesman

Turkish, Russian presidents discuss regional issues, bilateral ties

A new criminal complaint was filed with the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H today against Osman Mehmedagić, director of ISA, Muriz Druškić, former ISA employee, but also againts Samir Rizva, Mate Miletić, assistant minister of security of B&amp;H, and Munib Isaković, head of the State Security Authority, the "Avaz" portal has learned.
The report was submitted by 12 police officers, including police officers from the SC Ministry of the Interior, SIPA, the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies, but also employees of the Ministry of Security, who are, as they said, "victims of illegal work of ISA directors".
As we find out, the criminal complaint was filed due to the existence of grounds for suspicion that Mehmedagić and others, as an organized group, committed criminal offenses of abuse of office, negligent work in the service, disclosure of classified information, receiving gifts and other benefits for trading in influence and blackmail from KZB&amp;H .
The report was filed due to the "Recording" affair and audio recordings of Osman Mehmedagić and Chief State Prosecutor Gordana Tadić, which was published by the "Avaz" portal.

This report was also sent to the US Embassy, the Office for the Fight against Corruption in Sarajevo Canton, the Office of the High Representative, the EU Delegation, SIPA, and the Commission for Supervision of the Work of ISA.
- On September 17th and 18th, 2021., the "Avaz" portal published two audio recordings in which the conversation between the official meeting of ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić, the Chief Prosecutor of B&amp;H Gordana Tadić and the Prosecutor Ozrenka Nešković was recorded.
From the mentioned conversation, it unequivocally follows that the director of ISA, Osman Mehmedagić, exerts influence, that is, trading in influence by using threats and blackmail, he presents the information he obtained as the director of ISA, ie. discloses secret information, abusing his official position in order to suspend the investigation in his own interest in the "Diploma" case against him by prosecutor Oleg Čavka.
During the conversation, ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić presented a series of frightening data and information, probably with the aim of presenting himself as a person of, to put it mildly, dangerous intentions, as follows: "how he eavesdrops on everything he knows - the opposition, diplomats and others, that he beats journalists, insults the Court and the Prosecutor's Office and say that they racketeer, that the law allows him to pack and mount trials against persons, offers the chief prosecutor to get rid of the unfit through a security check system and invites her to inspect the transcripts and audio recordings of the monitored persons, etc., all with the aim of discrediting prosecutor Oleg Čavko and how he would suspend the investigation against him, ” - the report reads.

The report proposes that the mentioned audio recordings be listened to and that the authorities convince themselves that the conversation unequivocally and "confirmed by its own confession that ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić established a group of people within B&amp;H institutions, including the reported Muriz Druškić, former ISA employee and now a member of the Security Verification Complaints Commission, which uses blackmail, threats, packaging and other illegal activities using and abusing ISA resources. "
- In such an illegal way, several employees of B&amp;H institutions lost their jobs - the Ministry of Security of B&amp;H, MUP of Sarajevo Canton, SIPA, DKPT, MUP of Republic of Srpska, KPZ Sarajevo, Indirect Taxation Authority and others , including high - ranking police officers Emir Efendić, Elvir Bajrić, Safet Gagula, Senad Muslim, Fikret Ibrica, Mirnes Hodžić, Nermin Džafić, Salko Zeković, Edib Termiz, Amer Softić, Emir Korjenić, Bakir Dautbašić and others. All of the above lost their jobs and their existence was endangered only on the basis of, it is now clear to everyone, fabricated and inaccurate information of ISA, ie as the director of ISA Osman Mehmedagić confirms in the conversation - "I know perfectly well that what we collect is not proof, but the law allowed us to pack ”and offers the chief prosecutor to get rid of the unsuitable through security checks - the report states.
Using and abusing the security screening system to access classified information, ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić pointed out that, in cooperation with other ISA employees, he illegally denied the basic human right - the right to work, caused non-pecuniary and material damage to these officers and illegally and without grounds stigmatized them as enemies of B&amp;H and persons who are not loyal to the state.
- That this is an abuse of the security check system for access to classified information by ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić is also shown by the fact that no proceedings have been conducted against the above-mentioned officials, "enemies of B&amp;H" before the competent authorities. According to the Criminal Code of B&amp;H, the director of ISA was obliged to report to the competent prosecutor's office information about criminal offenses that we allegedly committed or are charged with or other information that would be confirmed by evidence that we committed crimes for which we suffer consequences, injustice and damage, but, as it is obviously about untruths and packaging, he did not submit such knowledge and information to the competent prosecutor's offices, but declared the "knowledge" secret - it was emphasized.

<h2>ISA to return to the framework of the law</h2>

With this illegal way of working, the director of OSA, together with others reported, questioned the complete security screening system for access to classified information, so we can reasonably conclude that many who have a security breach are granted access to classified information, and for many, "by packaging" are identified as a security nuisance and they bear the consequences.
- We are submitting this criminal report to the Prosecutor's Office of B&amp;H for handling and conducting an investigation in the case "Security Checks", and we ask other addressees to take actions within their competence and stop the illegalities of ISA Director Osman Mehmedagić and others, and influence ISA to return to law , and to us, the undersigned and others who have been left without permission to access classified information by the illegal work of the Director of ISA, without employment, justice and redress and the consequences of the illegal work of the Director of ISA that we suffer unfairly.
Thirteen months ago, we filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina for illegally revoking the license for access to classified information against the above-mentioned persons - the report states, among other things.

The report was filed due to the "Recording" affair and audio recordings of Osman Mehmedagić and Chief State Prosecutor Gordana Tadić, which was published by the "Avaz" portal

"Recording" affair: Police officers file criminal charges with the Prosecutor's Office of B&H against Osman Mehmedagić

High Representative in B&amp;H Christian Schmidt said he supported electoral reform that would bring the country closer to European Union standards, and hoped for an agreement on such changes ahead of elections in October next year.

- It would be good if the change of the election law happens in time before the election in October 2022 - the international high representative in B&amp;H, Christian Schmidt, told Reuters, referring to changes towards equal and democratic rights for all citizens.
- Rulings of the European Court of Human Rights have not been implemented - such as the famous Sejdić-Finci ruling which states that it cannot be that someone who does identify neither as Croat, Serb or Bosniak cannot stand for election as president. This has to be changed - Schmidt said.
His office oversees the implementation of the 1995 Dayton peace agreement that ended Bosnia's 1992-95 war. Schmidt, a former German minister, noted that the current law does not fulfil international requirements, including court rulings.
Commenting on Bosnian Croats' complaints that the law does not guarantee equal representation to all three constituent ethnicities in Bosnia - Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks - Schmidt referred to the Dayton agreement which created two entities, one comprising Bosniaks and Croats, the other the Serbs.
- The Dayton agreement states very clearly that there is no third entity, and that's the basis for my work - he said.

The Dayton agreement states very clearly that there is no third entity, and that's the basis for my work, he said

Schmidt hopes for electoral reform before 2022 vote

Special Envoy of the President of the United States Joseph Biden for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar warned today the member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik that threats of secession of the B&amp;H entity Republic of Srpska lead to isolation.

This was said in a post on the Twitter account of the United States Embassy in B&amp;H, which states that Dodik and Escobar talked today and that he conveyed to him the US position that threats of secession and rolling back reforms to state-level institutions are anti-Dayton and offer RS citizens nothing but isolation and economic despair.
Escobar reiterated the United States' strong commitment to B&amp;H's sovereignty and territorial integrity as one country where both the Republic of Srpska and Federation of B&amp;H and Brčko District entities are more prosperous and secure when leaders combat corruption, strengthen the integrity and fairness of the electoral process and move forward with reforms that bring economic recovery.
In recent days, Dodik has announced several times the secession and declaration of independence of the B&amp;H entity, as well as the withdrawal of consent to the work of the B&amp;H Armed Forces and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC).

Escobar reiterated the United States' strong commitment to B&H's sovereignty and territorial integrity as one country

Escobar warns Dodik that threats of secession lead to isolation

SBB President Fahrudin Radončić had a working breakfast with Matthew Palmer, the US Special Envoy for Electoral Reform and the US Ambassador to B&amp;H Eric Nelson, at eight o'clock this morning at the US Ambassador's residence.
This is one in a series of talks between senior US officials, which they will have today and tomorrow with B&amp;H leaders in order to more efficiently and harmoniously change the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina and consequently stabilize the political situation in our country.

This is one in a series of talks between high-ranking US officials, which they will have today and tomorrow with B&H leaders in order to change the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina as efficiently and harmoniously as possible

Matthew Palmer, Eric Nelson and Fahrudin Radončić

Radončić: There is much more at stake than the Election Law

Matthew Palmer for "Avaz": Electoral and judicial reform in B&H is necessary

Palmer continues talks with B&H political leaders: Electoral reform is imperative

B&H politicians continued talks with Matthew Palmer

Sattler: Question is not whether but when WB countries will become part of EU

UK police officer sentenced ‘to whole life order' over murder of woman

France closes nearly 30 mosques in less than a year

Pakistan imposes strict restrictions for non-vaccinated travel

Ukraine seeks Turkish president’s help for release of prisoners from Russia

"Manageable" COVID-19 to continue to exist for some years, says BioNTech co-founder

German parties in preliminary coalition talks to form new government

Turkish, Russian presidents discuss regional issues, bilateral ties

"Recording" affair: Police officers file criminal charges with the Prosecutor's Office of B&H against Osman Mehmedagić

Schmidt hopes for electoral reform before 2022 vote

Escobar warns Dodik that threats of secession lead to isolation

Radončić finished the meeting with Palmer and Nelson

News

Radončić: There is much more at stake than the Election Law

Matthew Palmer for "Avaz": Electoral and judicial reform in B&H is necessary

Palmer continues talks with B&H political leaders: Electoral reform is imperative

B&H politicians continued talks with Matthew Palmer

Sattler: Question is not whether but when WB countries will become part of EU

UK police officer sentenced ‘to whole life order' over murder of woman

France closes nearly 30 mosques in less than a year

Pakistan imposes strict restrictions for non-vaccinated travel

Ukraine seeks Turkish president’s help for release of prisoners from Russia

"Manageable" COVID-19 to continue to exist for some years, says BioNTech co-founder

German parties in preliminary coalition talks to form new government

Turkish, Russian presidents discuss regional issues, bilateral ties

"Recording" affair: Police officers file criminal charges with the Prosecutor's Office of B&H against Osman Mehmedagić

Schmidt hopes for electoral reform before 2022 vote

Escobar warns Dodik that threats of secession lead to isolation

Radončić finished the meeting with Palmer and Nelson