Balkans

Bulgaria’s outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has claimed that his country would have joined Schengen if it were not for its internal political turmoil. “I believe that we would have entered Schengen by air at the (European Council) meeting on March 14, since, as you know, only the Netherlands was …

The Shura Council, Egypt’s upper house of parliament, approved a draft law submitted on Wednesday canceling the maritime borders of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) agreement between Egypt and Greek Cyprus, according to a report published by the Middle East News Agency (MENA).

Greece on Friday said it was in favour of Kosovo joining the EU and boosted its economic collaboration with Pristina, despite not yet having recognised the Balkan country’s independence. “There are varying opinions regarding the status of

Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen entry has been postponed indefinitely again. Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlăţean has said Bucharest may give up joining the Schengen Agreement. We have been living without Schengen up to now

EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton will meet Serbian and Kosovo leaders next week for further talks on normalising relations between the two sides. Ashton will first meet Serb President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and the deputy premier in Brussels on Monday, a statement said Friday.

Before his controversial appointment as defence minister, Talat Xhaferi received a suspended jail sentence for obstructing a policeman in his duties, Balkan Insight can reveal.Balkan Insight has discovered that Macedonia’s controversial new defence chief received a six-month suspended jail term in 2008. A court in Tetovo found him guilty of …

Tomislav Nikolic has handed a posthumous award to the late Hugo Chavez for his contribution to strengthening relations between Serbia and Venezuela.Tomislav Nikolic on March 6 awarded Venezuela’s late President, Hugo Chavez, with the Order of the Republic of Serbia. Nikolic honoured Chavez for “developing and strengthening peaceful cooperation and …

The 2013 US State Department Narcotics Control Report highlights startling growth in marijuana seizures in Albania over the past year, which hints at increased production.“The drastic increase in marijuana seizures, a 175 per cent increase over 2011, signifies an increase in local production after trending downward over the prior two …

Prime Minister Ponta says a new law should finally resolve the prolonged dispute about property seized by the Communists after the Second World War.The centre-right government of Victor Ponta said it will seek parliament’s approval for a law compensating former owners of properties confiscated by the Communist regime after the …

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met with his British counterpart William Hague in London. The two foreign minister discussed latest developments in Syria, the Middle East peace process, situation in Iraq and Egypt.