Balkans

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.

After six months of negotiations, New Jersey-based Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. has acquired over 70% of Pliva Pharmaceuticals, Croatia’s largest drug company. The deal was finally closed earlier in October. Pliva, s regional leader in the industry, has more than 80 years of tradition behind it. Once the deal is officially …

Del Ponte submits negative report on Serbia to EU, SAA talks to remain frozen 17/10/2006 LUXEMBOURG — UN chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte presented her report on Serbia’s co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to the EU Troika — top diplomats of former, current and future …