Balkans

Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac said that Serbia will be working within the framework of NATO, “even if it does not become a member-state”. He mentioned Austria as an example of this, and added that he hopes a debate will begin on this topic in 2010. “We will have to …

Serbian President Boris Tadić says he will be visiting Kosovo soon in order to show that Serbia is not giving up on the fight for the province and its citizens there. He said that the government will insist that its citizens in Kosovo prosper economically and have all the rights …

Macedonian President Gjorgje Ivanov met with DUI leader Ali Ahmeti on Wednesday. “The successful implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement is an example, which has to be followed by societies similar to Macedonia. The Euro-Atlantic idea is a project without an alternative as a recipe for permanent stability and prosperity”, …

Southeastern Europe’s proposed natural gas pipeline moved a step closer to reality after the Romanian president signed a decree allowing parliament to ratify construction. The intergovernmental agreement on the Nabucco project was signed by the prime ministers of Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria in Ankara in July.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is ready to help Greece if it needed. Director of the IMF’s European Department Marek Belka stated IMF is ready to render aid to Greece in case of request by the EU or Greece itself, but marked that the country could solve its issues alone.

Big margin of victory in first round over nearest rival, Milan Bandic, puts Social Democrat nominee in pole position to claim the prize on January 10. Ivo Josipovic, 52, won the first round of Croatian presidential elections last weekend by a wife margin and, along with his nearest rival, Milan …

There are many gaps in Serbian-Albanian relations, when taken into consideration other neighboring countries. Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilir Meta said following the strong objection made by the Self-Determination movement in Kosovo regarding the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s announcement of financial assistance for Kosovo …

Relations between Croatia and Serbia have not worsened and cooperation is good between the two countries, Croatian President Stjepan Mesić said. Speaking on the differing stances on Kosovo, Mesić said that the policies of Serbia are too focused on the “Kosovo myth”, but that Serbia “does not have to recognize …

Fatmir Sejdiu says he will not invite President Boris Tadić to a “mini summit of presidents of Kosovo’s neighboring countries”. “I won’t invite him to a meeting of colleagues from the region. There will certainly be other occasions, but I won’t invite him just for the sake of it. How …

The Spanish state secretary for European affairs says his country will “encourage” Serbia and the West Balkans in the EU integration process.