Balkans

Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to stagnate politically mainly because of politicians’ reluctance to compromise and engage in dialogue, as wells as their tendency to abuse the system, even as State institutions face functional and economic pressure that has undermined their efficiency, the UN Security Council heard on Tuesday. 

The Netherlands remains strongly opposed to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the visa-free Schengen zone at this stage, Dutch interior ministry spokesperson Alexander Vanderee told Bulgarian National Radio on November 15 2011.

Bulgaria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Nikolay Mladenov, has extended accolades to Finland’s new position on the country’s Schengen accession. Mladenov said Sofia is applauding the news and voices certainty the change

The dialog between Belgrade and Pristina will be restored soon, said Serbian negotiator Borislav Stefanovic. Stefanovic expects the two sides will resume their negotiations by the end of the week. He said he was in contact with the EU mediator to approve the next three issues that would go on …

Belgrade negotiator Borislav Stefanović invited municipal presidents from northern Kosovo-Metohija for talks, which will take place in Belgrade on Wednesday. The topics would be administrative crossings, regional presentation and university degrees, Stefanović said

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos will meet with European Commission officials in Brussels next week, during his first trip since taking office as head of a unity government, his office said Tuesday.

A Memorandum of Cooperation reflecting common ground was signed between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria in Baku on Monday and opens up great prospects for both countries, Azerbaijani Labour and Social Protection Minister Fizuli Alekperov

Thousands of Kosovo Serbs want to take out Russian passports in order to guaranteer their security in the Albanian-dominated country, a Kosovo Serb group has told the Russian embassy in Serbia. The Russian embassy in Belgrade has forwarded to Moscow a request from

Finland has partially lifted its opposition to Bulgaria and Romania joining Europe’s Schengen passport-free travel zone, a Finnish EU minister said on Monday, but the Netherlands is still opposed and the measure needs backing from all members.

The leader of the Greek party New Democracy Antonis Samaras has said he will not support the current austerity measures. According to him Greece’s international creditors should change the conditions for giving the country financial assistance. Samaras said he did not plan to sign any documents which might confirm his …