Balkan News

The governments in the Balkan region are concerned that the Greek financial crisis could have spill-over effect on the Balkan countries, and will continue to affect the region in the medium and long term. With EUR 240 billion economy, Greece is an important regional driver and investor in the emerging …

The application is currently with the European Council, until the ministers ask the European Commission to produce its opinion.

Croatia has opened two more chapters in its EU accession talks, moving closer to its goal of becoming a member of the European Union. Croatia opened the chapters on the environment and fisheries at the Intergovernmental Conference Friday in Brussels.

A high level delegation from the Council of Europe, led by the president of the assembly, Mevlut Cavusoglu, is holding meetings with key political players in Tirana on Monday in an effort to resolve the country’s political crisis.

The EU ministers are today deciding on extending the mandates of the organization’s special representatives. This includes the six-month mandate of Pieter Feith in Kosovo.

Macedonian leaders are to hold consultations Monday ahead of tomorrow’s arrival of the UN mediator in the Athens-Skopje “name” row, US diplomat Matthew Nimetz. Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki and Deputy Prime Minister Abdilaqim Ademi are to discuss their expectations for the upcoming …

Bulgaria’s new Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov has said that Bulgaria backs Macedonia’s bid for European Union membership. He said that he wants Macedonia to drop its suspicion that Bulgaria has ill intentions towards it. He said that since the Republic of Macedonia was recognised Bulgaria has done what it …

Turkey and Serbia are ready to work together on the establishing of stability and peace in the Balkans, Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglou says. His statement came after a meeting in Ankara on Saturday with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremić. The free trade agreement between Serbia and Turkey, which will considerably …

Croatia’s new president, Ivo Josipovic, said on Friday (February 19th) that any possible referendum on the independence of Bosnian Serbs would not affect the current structure of neighbouring BiH. Republika Srprka (RS) cannot change the current situation unilaterally, Josipovic said, adding that even if Bosnian Serbs hold a referendum, it …

Romanian Economy Minister Adrian Videanu announced on Friday (February 19th) that Russian gas giant Gazprom has officially invited Romania to join the South Stream gas pipeline project. “We will analyse this initiative with interest,” Videanu said, adding that Romania is open to any initiative that would contribute to the energy …