Balkans

EU members remained divided over wrapping up accession talks with Croatia during a working dinner of the foreign ministers Monday (May 23rd). Hungary, Austria and

Minister of European Integration Vlora Citaku said on Monday (May 23rd) that the European Commission (EC) is applying double standards against Kosovo, referring to requirements Pristina has to meet even before visa liberalisation dialogue begins. The EC has imposed no such conditions on any other country in the region, Citaku …

The European Commission proposed on Monday a mechanism that would allow the EU to suspend the visa-free regime for certain states under “exceptional” circumstances. The Commission proposed the “safeguard clause”, which will go to EU ministers for discussion in June, in the wake of growing pressure on Macedonia and Serbia …

The European Union (EU) does not consider the Balkans as a problem. All countries have European perspective, but each of them faces specific problems, said Maja

Bulgaria must consider outlawing the far-right and nationalist party Ataka over its recent attack on praying Muslims in Sofia, according to Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the liberations in European Parliament.

The top international envoy in Bosnia, Valentin Inzko, and Muslim spiritual leader Reiss-ul-Ulema Mustafa Ceric have been plunged into row over religious education with each accusing the other of intolerance and religious incitement. The controversy was sparked by the

Serbian President Boris Tadić will not attend a summit of central and southeastern European leaders in Warsaw, Poland, because of Kosovo. The decision came “because Kosovo will be treated as an equal state”. Kosovo’s ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared independence in early 2008, but Serbia rejected this as an illegal act …

Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik firmly rejects the possibility of the entity seceding from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). He said that Bosnian Serb leaders will not engage in “adventures such as secession from BiH”.

International Civilian Representative Pieter Feith has criticised the EU Rule of Law mission (EULEX) for not being proactive enough. Feith said he expected

Cyprus’s ruling communist Akel held on to its share of the vote in a parliamentary election on Sunday, as Greek Cypriots went to the polls ahead of talks with the UN chief on ending the island’s division.