Eurasia Press & News
Serbian unions said on Thursday they would stage mass protests within two weeks unless government officials take their share of spending cuts agreed last week to secure an IMF loan. Serbia plans to freeze wages and pensions for 18 months and impose a 6 percent income tax surcharge to achieve …
Read More »Croatia, Albania join NATO
WASHINGTON, United States – Croatia and Albania completed their NATO accession processes and became members of the Alliance on Wednesday (April 1st), expanding the group to 28, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced.
Read More »High Representative Inzko stresses importance of political negotiations in BiH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – High Representative and EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko underscored the importance of dialogue and compromise at his first meeting with BiH presidency members Nebojsa Radmanovic, Zeljko Komsic and Haris Silajdzic, on Tuesday (March 31st).
Read More »Serbian president’s ally charged with corruption
BELGRADE, Serbia – A former mayor of Zrenjanin and leader of President Boris Tadic’s Democratic Party (DS) has been charged with corruption, along with 21 other people, the special organised crime prosecution service announced on Wednesday (April 1st).
Read More »Greece paralysed by 24-hour strike
ATHENS, Greece – Greece is being paralysed by a 24-hour national strike Thursday (April 2nd) organised by the two largest trade unions in the country — the General Confederation of Workers of Greece and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council.
Read More »Kosovo opposition parties want local elections in October
PRISTINA, Kosovo – Opposition parties asked President Fatmir Sejdiu on Wednesday (April 1st) to schedule local elections in October. The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, and Reformist Party leader Teuta Sahatcia say the elections should be held before cold weather sets in.
Read More »Albanian opposition accuses government of failing to prepare for June elections
TIRANA, Albania – The opposition Socialist Party (SP) on Wednesday (April 1st) criticised the government for failing to prepare the country well enough for the June 28th general elections. The SP says Albania cannot guarantee that one fifth of the voters will be able to cast their ballot as a …
Read More »Kosovo Ombudsperson Institution accuses UNMIK over Roma camps
PRISTINA, Kosovo – The Ombudsperson Institution published a report Wednesday (April 1st) that blames UNMIK for rights violations the Roma have suffered in camps in northern Mitrovica since 1999. The report concludes that UNMIK has continuously violated international standards for human rights and it urges the government to intervene by …
Read More »Regional envoy warns economic crisis could spark new political turmoil in Balkans
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – The economic crisis could lead to social unrest and new political turmoil throughout the Balkans, Hido Biscevic, head of the Sarajevo-based Regional Co-operation Council for Southeast Europe, told Reuters on Wednesday (April 1st).
Read More »Bulgaria MPs Approve New Vote Buying Punishments
Bulgarian MPs have passed a new set of punishments for anyone found to be involved in ‘vote buying’ after the second reading of a new bill Thursday. Anyone found to be involved in vote rigging or buying will now receive a jail term of 1-3 years and a fine of …
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