Balkans

Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčak said that the EU will be prepared on the day that the ICJ gives its opinion on Kosovo’s independence proclamation. He said that he has prepared a plan for solving the problems between Serbia and Kosovo.

Prime Minister George Papandreou announced on Sunday (May 2nd) that his government will implement a series of reforms in return for EU/IMF aid. “We are approving the agreement for an unprecedented rescue package in exchange for unprecedented efforts on the part of the Greek people. Big sacrifice is expected from …

Montenegro officially became an associate member of the EU on Saturday (May 1st), when the country’s Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the bloc took effect. Podgorica submitted its EU membership application in December and hopes for candidate status in the beginning of 2011, which would enable it to begin …

Serbia’s Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic announced on Saturday (May 1st) that lawmakers will be discussing a declaration Wednesday condemning war crimes committed against Serbs during the 1990s. Lawmakers will then have ten days to submit objections or proposals. The draft condemns crimes against Serbian citizens and all people of the …

The Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly, PACE, warned Bosnia on Thursday that it must urgently take measures to change its constitution, notably to end discrimination against minorities, or face serious consequences. “Bosnia and Herzegovina must urgently launch an institutionalized process for preparing a comprehensive package of amendments to the Constitution …

Romania’s Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi has reiterated that his country will not recognize Kosovo. He also stressed that Romania supports the Western Balkan countries on their path towards the EU. Baconschi, who met with Lamberto Zannier, head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), said that peace and …

Serbia and Croatia will soon sign a military cooperation agreement, which will allow officers and soldiers from either of the countries to take part as observers or as active participants in military drills of the other army.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias expressed disappointment on Thursday at the first signals sent by the newly-elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Dervis Eroglu, stressing that he still wants a peaceful solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner says “Serbia’s EUintegration is not conditioned by recognizing Kosovo”. He called on the two sides to have a dialog, underscoring that he had never advised Belgrade not to appeal to the International Court in The Hague.

The interstate diplomatic committee for the identification and marking of the border between Croatia and Serbia has continued negotiations in Zagreb. The committee met on Thursday after a seven year break. This body will also prepare the agreement on the state border between the two countries.