Balkans

Chief of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Balkan Sector, Aleksandr Alexeyev, met with Serb Radical Party (SRS) senior officials. They discussed bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia.

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor made an unannounced visit to Serbia to meet with President Boris Tadić. One of the topics of the informal, working meeting between the two is expected to be the ratification of the social agreement between Slovenia and Serbia.

70.5% of Kosovo citizens think the declaration of the independence is a good decision while 63.8% of Serbs think they will never recognize Kosovo’s independence.  9.7% of the Serbs think Serbia will recognize Kosovo but it will not happen in the next five years.

Serbia’s demand to become EU candidate member state could be discussed by the Council of the European Union in the spring, Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt said. In his words the European Commission could work out a position before the unblocking of the ratified Agreement for Stabilization and Association. “During …

The establishment of European Union strategy for the Danube region will kick off Monday in the German town of Ulm. The first consultations will be attended by members of the European Commission, ministers of the countries located along the valley of the Danube River, including Serbia’s representatives, the edition reads. …

The visit of the UN Mediator in the name dispute between Greece and Macedonia Matthew Nimetz visit, scheduled for the end of February or the beginning of March, is a new opportunity for both countries to present their positions once again. Meanwhile, Nimetz attendance in the acceleration of the negotiation …

Bulgarian Prime Minister (PM) Boyko Borisov pays a two-day visit to Turkey. On the second day of the visit Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Bulgarian St. Stephan Church, also known as Bulgarian Iron Church. His agenda also envisages meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and the board …

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday his government is determined and patient enough to achieve full membership to the European Union (EU) in spite of the attempts to block its accession process. “Turkey has been waiting for the result of its application to the EU for 50 years, …

Outgoing EC Vice-president Gunter Vreheugen rebuked the popular fallacy that Bulgaria and Romania were the most corrupt members of the EU. “I think it is unfair for these countries to be accused of being corrupt, of having a non-acting administration and that they are places ruled by crime, Verheugen said. …

Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas had said in a interview for Greece’s Skai Radio that there is no need to upgrade diplomatic relations with Skopje. “I don’t see the reason for upgrading diplomatic relations with Skopje”, Droutsas said.