Balkans

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that NATO intervention in Kosovo was necessary and that the existence of an independent state of Kosovo is proof of that. “It would have been a terrible thing if the West had allowed the situation to continue unchecked,” Blair said in a …

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov told journalists Wednesday that Bulgaria and Russia will sign a contract to build South Stream, a natural gas pipeline providing an alternative route for Russian deliveries, on

Minister for Human and Minority Rights Svetozar Čiplić told Tanjug on Thursday that the constitution of the National Council of Bosniaks was unsuccessful. He added that it was followed by illegal activities, and that the usurpation of rights of the Bosniak minority will be sanctioned. 

KFOR Commander Markus Bentler has stated that NATO is very concerned over the situation in northern Kosovo. “There is no positive development and we call upon all citizens to show restraint from any violent acts,” Bentler said.

Current EU presidency holders Belgium is clear that the future of all the Balkan countries is Europe, Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said. But any candidate EU member must earn its membership by meeting all requirements, he noted.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci urged Serbia to desist from inciting violence in Kosovo, local media reported. “As far as we are concerned, the situation in northern Kosovo is unacceptable,” Thaci told Cabinet ministers. He made it clear that Pristina won’t give up the efforts to ensure functioning of courts …

Development and European integration of the Western Balkans are obvious but reforms are needed because the democratic roots in certain countries are still weak, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said. Fule believes that leaders of West Balkan countries have assumed the great responsibility of eliminating the obstacles on the road …

Serbian President Boris Tadić will start today his first official visit to Montenegro. Tadić is due to meet with Montenegro’s President Filip Vujanović, and PM Milo Đukanović. 

European deputies in Strasbourg today adopted a resolution on Kosovo which calls on all EU member states to recognize Kosovo’s independence. The resolution was adopted with 455 votes in favour and 155 votes against.

SARAJEVO Članovi Istražne komisije bh. parlamenta za utvrđivanje trošenja donatorskih sredstava u 16 mjeseci postojanja naplatili su oko 60.000 KM naknada. Komisija dosad nije uspjela prikupiti podatke o iznosu donacija prispjelih u BiH od 1996. godine do danas. Adem Huskić, član ove komisije, kaže da su međunarodni donatori odbili dati …