Balkans

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.

The newly appointed Kosovo Ambassador to Croatia, Veldet Sadiku will present his credentials to Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Tuesday. Croatia was the first Balkan country to recognize Kosovo’s independence on March 19 2008. The two countries have established diplomatic relations on June 30, 2008. Croatia has already opened a …

Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Svetozar Marović said that Serbia’s success in European integration will help the entire region’s goals of EU accession. He said that the visa liberalization for Serbia, Montenegrin and Macedonian citizens confirms these countries are on a good path towards the EU and are achieving concrete results …

Rasim Ljajić has announced that he will resign as one of the coordinators of the action team set up to cooperate with the Hague Tribunal. Ljajić, who is also labor minister and president of the Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, said he will submit his resignation to Prime …

Freshly uncovered ancient artifacts could strengthen the Macedonian position in the “name” talks with neighboring Greece if only Athens would recognise the argument of facts, Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said on Sunday. 

After nearly all votes from the Croatian presidential elections had been counted late on Sunday, the country’s electoral commission announced that a run-off will have to be called between the leftist opposition candidate and the long-time mayor of Zagreb. Preliminary results of the presidential elections held on Sunday put Ivo …