Balkan News

Press freedom has improved in many parts of Southeast Europe (SEE) over the last 12 months, according to a new survey released on Tuesday (October 24th). However, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is the only country in the region ranking among the top 20 nations in the world on this issue.

Bulgarian presidential runoff officially scheduled 24/10/2006 SOFIA, Bulgaria — The Central Election Commission (CEC) formally confirmed that incumbent Georgi Parvanov of the Socialist Party and ultranationalist Attack coalition leader Volen Siderov will square off in a runoff next Sunday (October 29th). The CEC released the final results of last Sunday’s …

Two co-operation agreements were signed during UNMIK head Joachim Ruecker’s visit toTirana on Wednesday (October 17th). One calls for mutual assistance with electricity supplies if either Albania or Kosovo faces and energy crisis, while the other provides for building a new transmission line between Albania and Kosovo.

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader met with US George W. Bush on Tuesday (October 17th) in the Oval Office. During a 50-minute talk, they discussed a broad range of issues, from economic co-operation to conflict areas around the world. Bush also delivered a strong message of support for Croatia’s hopes …

Rehn: EU constitution debate should not block enlargement 20/10/2006 ATHENS, Greece — Debates over the European Constitution must not block negotiations on the EU’s future expansion, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said Thursday (October 19th). Negotiations with Croatia and Turkey should proceed despite Europe’s attempts to sort out the problems …

Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader met with US George W. Bush on Tuesday (October 17th) in the Oval Office. During a 50-minute talk, they discussed a broad range of issues, from economic co-operation to conflict areas around the world. Bush also delivered a strong message of support for Croatia’s hopes …

While having substantially declined since1998, the level of poverty among children in Southeast Europe (SEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is still too high, according to a new UNICEF study, released on Wednesday (October 18th).

UN envoy says Kosovo process on track to meet year-end deadline 19/10/2006 BRUSSELS, Belgium — Martti Ahtisaari, the chief UN mediator for talks on Kosovo’s future status, told reporters Wednesday (October 18th) that he would present his plan for the future of the province by the end of the year, …

Macedonian Prime Minster Nikola Gruevski arrived on a three-day visit to Germany on Monday (October 16th) hoping to win Berlin’s backing for his country’s EU and NATO bids.

Presidents of the Southeast European countries adopted a declaration Monday (October 16th) pledging co-operation in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. The move came during a meeting at the Serbian military complex of Karadjordjevo, hosted by Serbian President Boris Tadic.