Macedonia expects a positive progress report from the European Commission (EC), said parliament chairperson Trajko Veljanovski. “I am convinced that Macedonia will be given a date for start of the accession talks,” he remarked. According to Veljanovski, the region needs a positive impulse and it will come with sitting a …
Read More »EU mediator Robert Cooper will visit Belgrade and Priština
European Union mediator Robert Cooper will visit Belgrade on Oct. 7 and Pristina on Oct. 10. He will attempt to convince the two sides of the benefits of continuing their dialogue, but he will also be prepared “to listen and engage” in talks about the checkpoints and the implementation of …
Read More »US urges Bosnian leaders to show democratic responsibility and form a new government
The U.S. State Department says it is “disappointing” that Bosnia-Herzegovina is starting its second year with no government. Last year’s election for a central parliament and three members of the federal presidency ended in a deadlock, with no
Read More »EU ministers debate on false asylum seekers from the Western Balkans
EU ministers on Wednesday in Brussels are to count the latest figures on asylum claims from the Western Balkans, and decide how to curb a trend that has accelerated since visas were scrapped. EU ministers are to assess whether the number of Balkan asylum-seekers is rising or declining, and decide …
Read More »Hashim Thaci: North Kosovo not to get special status, autonomy
Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci said that the institutions in the country are about to set the supremacy of the law in North Kosovo, where the majority of the residents are ethnic Serbs, and to close the historical chapter of the clash between Kosovo and Serbia.
Read More »EU will provide €96 million assistance for Bosnia
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele has confirmed that €96 million of funding from a special Balkans assistance package will be allocated to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously, Fuele had suspended the allocation after political infighting broke out between leaders in Bosnia’s two semi-autonomous entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, FBiH, …
Read More »Croatia’s EU entry offers new hope for western Balkan region, says Polish FM
Croatia’s accession to the European Union will offer a new hope for the entire western Balkan region, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said after meeting his Croatian counterpart Gordan Jandrokovic on Monday. “The accession treaty will be signed in December, ahead of Christmas,” said Sikorski, whose
Read More »EP rapporteur for Serbia says that Kosovo issue should be resolved first
European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia, Jelko Kacin, said on Monday that along with EU candidate status, Serbia should also get a date for the beginning of negotiations. He pointed out, however, that in order to make progress in the Euro-integration process, the country needed to resolve the issue of Kosovo.
Read More »Bulgaria wants to improve ties with Uzbekistan
A delegation headed by Bulgarian Economy, Energy and Tourism Minister Traicho Traikov has ended a working visit to Uzbekistan. Traikov held meetings with Uzbek Economy Minister Galina Saidova and Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade Minister Ravshan Gulyamov.
Read More »Kosovo issue to be discussed at NATO summit
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the situation in northern Kosovo and KFOR’s role will be one of the key topics of the NATO defence ministers’ meeting this week. The summit will be held in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
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