Balkans

Council of Europe (CoE) President Herman Van Rompuy has commended Serbia’s EU efforts. He also congratulated the Serbian parliament, government and President Boris Tadić on their European engagement. “I am glad to visit Belgrade again. I would like to congratulate to the Serbian parliament and government on their European engagement …

It is very unlikely that Serbia will get a starting date for EU membership negotiations by the end of the year, said Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. According to him the country has to continue fulfilling reforms, irrespective of the rate of advancing to the EU. “When Serbia will obtain …

Serbian President Boris Tadic has said Serbia did everything possible to ensure talks with the EU and does not expect any privileges, or facilitation. “We cannot accept new conditions,” said Tadic. According to him Serbia’s EU bid policy has no alternative.

Macedonia and Greece are seeking a name in English for diplomatic communication, said the UN special representative for the naming dispute between the two countries, Matthew Nimetz. Nimetz noted this was a perfect moment for making more efforts to resolve the issue. “The whole world would like to see the …

A NATO committee visiting Kosovo on Thursday said the alliance needed to remain present in Kosovo, citing the recent upsurge of violence in the north. NATO’s Military Committee, the primary source of military advice for NATO’s decision-making bodies, concluded

The OSCE ambassador in Tirana says Albania has only two years to pass vital legislation before presidential and general elections again consume everyone’s attention. “If you really want to show the Albanian public and your international partners that you take your responsibilities and obligations seriously, then

Former Macedonian Foreign Minister and currently member of the parliament Antonio Milososki accused Greece of not wanting to find solution to the name dispute with Macedonia. “Athens refuses to invite UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, which is a condition for bringing more dynamics to the dialog,” Milososki said at a sitting …

Macedonian Defense Minister Fatmir Besimi is to depart on a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. He will meet with his Bosnian counterpart Selmo Cikotic to discuss bilateral and regional cooperation and security. He will also visit the Macedonian contingent within the ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All roads in northern Kosovo were unblocked on Thursday after EULEX had finished its operation in the Zubin Potok area. EULEX police returned to southern Kosovska Mitrovica and local Serbs removed the barricades. The roadblocks were set up right after the EULEX police blocked a road between Kosovska Mitrovica and …

lovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Žbogar says Serbia has done enough to get not only the EU candidate status but also a date for the beginning of the EU talks. “The Slovenian and the Serbian government think alike, and that is why we should work together. I also believe that Serbia …