Balkans

The EU Enlargement Commissioner stresses the importance of free elections in Albania

The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fule, on Monday called on Albania’s parties to ensure that the general elections meet a high standard in order to advance the country’s EU goals. “The existing broad consensus in Albania on European Union integration

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EU gives green light to Croatia to join the union on July 1

The European Commission gave Croatia a clean bill of health today in its final check before the Balkan state joins the EU in July, but said it would keep watch over corruption and crime. Marking the end of Zagreb’s decade-long effort to join mainstream Europe, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan …

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In Bosnia, Turkey brings back a gentle version of the Ottoman Empire

Turkey conquered the Balkans five centuries ago. Now Turkish power is making inroads through friendlier means. Two Turkish-run universities have opened in Bosnia’s Ottoman-influenced capital in recent years, bringing an influx of Turkish students and culture to a predominantly Muslim country still reeling from a brutal ethnic war almost two …

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UK PM to unveil sweeping immigration crackdown

Prime Minister David Cameron will unveil a sweeping immigration crackdown on Monday, March 25, aimed at discouraging migrants from Romania and Bulgaria from moving to Britain when EU restrictions on their right to travel and work there expire next year, Reuters reported. Under his plans, access to Britain’s National Health …

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Babacan disapproves of Greek Cyprus bailout deal

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan criticized the Greek Cyprus bailout deal imposed by the European Union, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying he does not find taxing deposits to be the right method in principle, during a meeting in Finland on Sunday. Stating that …

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Macedonia Ruling Party Takes Lead in Local Polls

Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski’s party is on course for victory in the municipal vote that was held after a political crisis, although the opposition has alleged foul play.Preliminary data released on Monday by Macedonia’s State Election Commission, DIK, showed that Gruevski’s main ruling VMRO DPMNE party had won the most …

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