Balkans

Tirana – The Association of Prosecutors, judges, lawyers and public notaries has condemned a series of bills proposed by the Albanian government as part of reforming the justice system.

Brussels – The EU has warned politicians in Bosnia they are jeopardising the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration with the heated nationalist rhetoric.

Belgrade – The global crisis will hit Serbia in 2009 and the impact will result in a significant drop to the gross domestic product, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic claims.

Skopje – The Macedonian Association of Former Political Prisoners from the ex-Yugoslav era, have extended their demand for full rehabilitation and compensation from the state.

Sarajevo – Tensions within the ruling Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) coalition hit a new low as leaders exchanged accusations in a bid to hold on to key sectors and future investment.

Belgrade – By the end of the year, Serbia’s government will invite bids to complete the development of key thermoelectric plants, the country’s Mining and Energy Minister Petar Skundric says.

Sarajevo – Milorad Dodik, the Premier of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity has received rare praise from Sarajevo media, after signing a cooperation deal with US giant, General Electric.

Pristina – Kosovo has begun registering people and recording their financial statistics in a pilot scheme in five cities in preparation for a complete census.

Skopje – The US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Stuart E. Jones, is visiting Macedonia and is to hold meetings with President Branko Crvenkovski and Premier Nikola Gruevski.

Pristina – Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has congratulated senior Albanian leaders for their progress in joining NATO after the United States signed a key protocol.