Balkans

The opposition Socialist Party (SP) announced on Wednesday (February 24th) that its members are returning to parliament Thursday after nearly six months of boycott. “This is a step we take to show that we don’t aim to prevent reforms, and give the majority a chance to resolve the political crisis,” …

The Serbian government and its Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija have rejected the so-called strategy for north Kosovo, claiming it is invalid. The strategy was introduced in mid-January by the International Civilian Office, ICO, in Pristina, and the Kosovo government, and it drew strong opposition from Kosovo Serbs.

At the invitation of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc arrives on an official visit to Bulgaria, the government’s press service announced. The two prime ministers are to visit the construction site Danube Bridge II at the city of Vidin on Friday.

Montenegrin FM Milan Roćen welcomed back Serbian Ambassador to Podgorica Zoran Lutovac, with the remark that he “did not have to leave Montenegro at all”. “What can I say. Welcome. As far as we are concerned he did not even have to leave, but those calls to consultations are a …

France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will visit Belgrade on Monday and meet with Serbia’s top officials. Kouchner and his hosts will discuss the Serbia’s European integration, Kosovo issues and a strategic partnership between the two countries. One of the topics during the discussions will be a possible visit to Serbia …

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković met with his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc on Wednesday in Budapest. Cvetković said that Serbia deeply appreciates the principled stance of Romania regarding the defense of principles of international law in the Kosovo and Metohija issue.

Court presidents and prosecutors of the former Yugoslav republics shared the view that international cooperation in hunting war criminals is good, but it must be improved.

Kosovo’s premier Hashim Thaci appointed Ylber Hysa as the government’s coordinator of the strategy for Mitrovica North.

Recalling that in 2008 he had said that Bulgaria could be the backbone of a stable prosperous region, European Commission President Jose Barroso told journalists in Brussels on February 23 2010: “I believe this is truer than ever before”.

Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro Zoran Lutovac returned on Tuesday evening to his office in Podgorica. He was called back to Belgrade in mid-January following a decision by the Montenegrin government to establish diplomatic relations with Kosovo.