Balkans

Bulgaria’s new EU Commissioner-Designate, World Bank VP Kristalina Georgieva, is going to meet with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday. This has been announced by a source from the European Commission. After the meeting, it would become clear if Georgieva is going to get exactly the same portfolio – …

Just one day before expiration of six-month deadline, Greece presented its counter-arguments at Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the lawsuit filed by Macedonia. Greek Ambassador Yiorgos Savvaidis and Foreign Ministry advisor Maria Telalian presented the memorandum to the ICJ on Tuesday.

Spanish FM Miguel Angel Moratinos said in Vienna on Tuesday that Serbia is a crucial country in the West Balkan region. He added that Madrid supports its request for receiving the candidate status for EU accession. In his address to the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation …

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kohout will arrive on a one-day visit to Serbia on Wednesday. He will hold talks with Serbia’s officials and discuss the process of Euro-integration and the cooperation between the two countries. Kohout will meet with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Euro-integration process …

Serbian President Boris Tadić will be in New York on January 22 where he will attend a UN Security Council session dedicated to Kosovo. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić will also attend the debate. Tadić will address the Security Council.

The defence of Rasim Delic and the Hague Prosecution are presenting their appeals to the first instance verdict, under which the former Bosnian Army commander was sentenced to three years in prison. “I must tell you that I had confidence in this Court and I supported it with my work,” …

The Border Police Chief Directorate has received information that the protesting Greek farmers are lifting the blockage at the Ilinden border checkpoint between 5.00pm on Tuesday until 11.00 am on Wednesday. Cars will be allowed crossing the border, except for those carrying timber and agriculture production, including meat and dairy …

Council of Europe special rapporteur Dick Marty is visiting Kosovo regarding the alleged crimes of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army in north Albania. Marty arrived in Kosovo on Monday afternoon, that he will stay until Wednesday, and that two investigators have come along with him.

Municipal elections in two Serb-dominated areas in northern Kosovo risk another postponement, Local Government and Administration Minister Sadri Ferati said. He explained that a change of dates may result from challenges posed by Serb parallel structures. Ferati said the plan is to hold elections in the two municipalities – Partesh/Partes …

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has refused to accept the resignation of Rumiana Jeleva as foreign minister. “I wrote “yes” to her request to resign as European Commission designate and “no” to her request to leave the office of foreign minister,” Boyko Borisov said. Borisov hopes that Rumiana Jeleva will …