Madrid – Spain’s decision to withdraw its peacekeepers from Kosovo was Friday expected to be followed by an increase of Spanish troops in Afghanistan, press reports said. Spain could increase its contingent of nearly 800 soldiers in Afghanistan with up to 500 more, senior military sources were quoted by the …

PRISTINA, Kosovo — A group of cabinet ministries decided on Wednesday (March 18th) to start Kosovo’s decentralisation process. Serb-dominated municipalities will be established in Mitrovica — North, Gracanica, Ranillug, Partesh, Kllokot/Verboc and Novoberde. Six teams will work to secure resources, properties and administrative structures for each. After the next local …

ZAGREB, Croatia — The government decided at a session on Wednesday (March 18th) to submit the NATO treaty to parliament for ratification. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader noted that the majority of NATO members had ratified the document and the rest were expected to follow suit soon, clearing the way for …

BELGRADE, Serbia — Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic insisted on Wednesday (March 18th) that Serbia would receive a positive assessment from the EU Council of Ministers and would join the countries on the so-called White Schengen List before the end of the year.

SKOPJE, Macedonia — Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki says Macedonia has proposed different initiatives to Greece aimed at improving bilateral relations that have been strained for the past 18 years over the countries’ bitter name dispute.

TIRANA, Albania — The opposition Socialist Party (SP) warned on Wednesday (March 18th) that the process of issuing new electronic ID cards is about to fail. SP leader Edi Rama proposed a draft law to issue the identification documents for free, arguing that many citizens have trouble paying for them. …

Tor Arne Martinsen, the principal of the Celeburg School of Fredrikstad municipality in Norway, yesterday received the Honorary Citizen of Mitrovica Award for his contribution given to Kosovo and the Mitrovica municipality, particularly in the field of education. The members of the Mitrovica Municipality Assembly granted the Honorary Citizen of …

The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a $13.5 million loan in additional financing for the Serbia Health Project. The aim of the project is to develop a sustainable, performance-oriented health care system where providers are rewarded for quality and efficiency. Building on the achievements of the Serbia Health …

BRUSSELS – The leaders of the 27 EU member countries have approved the inclusion of Belarus in the bloc’s Eastern Partnership program, the Czech prime minister’s spokesman said on Friday. “Belarus is on the list,” he said. The Czech Republic currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency. 

Russian and US presidents should make progress on long-range nuclear weapons cuts when they meet next month, but Moscow will be linking this to US anti-missile plans which it opposes, an official said. A follow-up pact to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1), which expires in December, is on …