Balkan News

Bulgaria supports ongoing efforts to reunify Cyprus

Bulgaria voiced it support on Friday to the ongoing efforts aimed at reunifying divided Cyprus in a joint declaration signed here during Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov’s visit. “The Republic of Bulgaria expresses its support to the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation …

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Bosnian leaders warned to make peace

Bosnia’s rival ethnic leaders have been warned to settle their differences or risk political isolation. It follows a meeting between Western diplomats and heads of Bosnia’s main parties to discuss ways of ending a stalement that’s kept the nation behind others seeking to join NATO and the EU.

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EC report on Macedonia progress to be realistic: Antonio Milosovski

We hope EC report on Macedonia progress will be a real assessment of the progress and achievements of the country, said Macedonian foreign minister in Istanbul on Friday. Milosovski expressed in his statement during the informal meeting of the foreign ministers of the South-East European Cooperation Process his hope the …

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EC appealed to Kosovo not to block Kosovo’s regional initiatives

Kosovo is an independent country and Serbia should accept that, said spokesperson of Kosovo government Memli Krasnici, referring to the question whether over the practical benefits, which the regional co-operation brings, the official representatives of Belgrade and Pristina should stop insisting on forms and symbols at international level.

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Eagleburger hopes Macedonian-Greek relations to improve after power change in Greece

The former US Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger hopes Macedonian-Greek relations to improve after power change in Greece. Pointing he is not expert on Greek policy, Eagleburger expressed his hope that probably the new Greek government would accept the name not to stand in Macedonia’s way to NATO and EU. 

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European Commission appoints envoy for Cyprus talks

The European Commission said Friday it has appointed an envoy to assist in the U.N.-brokered Cyprus reunification talks aimed at ending 35 years of division on the island. “The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, has decided to detach Leopold Maurer as his personal representative to the Good …

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Ban: UN to stay in Kosovo

The Hague Tribunal may cease to operate in 2013 but UN forces will stay in Kosovo, says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Ban said that the Hague Tribunal was considering the possibility of completing its work by the end of 2013 and that back-up mechanisms should be prepared if Ratko …

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Kouchner: Serbia should be in EU

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says that all the Balkan states should become EU member-states. “Hurdles remain, but our political position is very clear,“ Kouchner said, adding that French President Nicolas Sarkozy had said as much, “also unambiguously,“ to Serbian President Boris Tadić.

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Thaci welcomes presence of EC observers

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has welcomed the decision to send European Commission observers to monitor the local elections in Kosovo. “We are firmly focused on having free, fair and democratic elections, with turnout as high as possible and the acceptance of high democratic standards, the building of a new …

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“Mini Dayton” under way on Bosnian crisis

A “mini Dayton” is getting under way at the Butmir base near Sarajevo attended by officials from the EU and U.S., and the most influential Bosnian leaders. The meeting began with an informal working dinner, where, according to unofficial reports, Bosnian leaders were presented with a set of measures to …

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