Balkans

After a court in Skopje upheld the request of the Health Ministry to ban an announced strike by doctors, medics said they would appeal and set a new date for a stoppage.Doctors said they are not discouraged by the ruling, which was delivered in an express procedure, and will appeal …

As Bosnia’s Statistics Agency announces a pilot census for this October, international monitors say the fate of the landmark 2013 census will depend on the success of the autumn test run.A pilot census for Bosnia, according the Statistics Agency, will be held next month, from October 15-29, aimed at showing …

A senior Turkish General on a visit to Kosovo said Ankara will help strengthen the capacities of the Kosovo Security Forces, the KSF.Turkey has pledged to help Kosovo raise its military capacity, by aiding the Kosovo Security Forces, KSF, to reach its full operational potential. The Commander of Turkish Ground …

Voters can find out whether they are on the electoral roll simply by sending an SMS or looking on the Internet – though some NGOs say they have uncovered glitches.Montenegrins who want to check up on whether they can vote in the October 14 general election can now do so …

Minister says Bosnia wants to avoid tensions with Croatia on border issues around the town of Neum – and will accept any solution that doesn’t limit its maritime access and undermine its sovereignty.Bosnian’s Transport and Communications Minister, Damir Hadzic, said Bosnia and Croatia were partner states that should solve oustanding …

As pressure grows on Serbia to recognise breakaway former province, Vucic says Serbia may have to hold an ‘either-or’ referendum on the country’s priorities.Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister, has said that Serbia may hold a referendum inviting voters to choose between Kosovo and EU integration. “A referendum is always …

Serbia’s public prosecutors and judges who were fired during the 2010 justice reform will be reinstated in the upcoming days, the Ministry of Justice said.Hundred and twenty-two Serbian public prosecutors and their deputies will be officially readmitted to the Association of Prosecutors on September 22, and two days later they …

Several hundred Bulgarian Muslims massed in the southern town of Pazardzhik to protest against the start of the trial of 13 people accused of spreading radical Islamist ideas.Waving Bulgarian and EU flags, several hundred Bulgarian Muslims protested in the southern town of Pazardzhik on Tuesday against the start of a …

The Catholic Archdiocese of Shkodra on Tuesday said it will excommunicate anyone involved in traditional blood feuds, as concern grows about the revival of so-called honour killings.In a statement reflecting growing concern over the level of so-called blood feuds in Albania, the Catholic Church in Shkodra, said that, “Prompted by …

Macedonia is pushing ahead with a controversial law that puts the Foreign Ministry directly in charge of accrediting foreign journalists.After the government this week submitted a draft law on Foreign Press Materials, Foreign Movies and Foreign Information Activity to parliament, a debate is expected to start next week. According to …