Balkans

Now is the right moment for a compromise solution to the row between Athens and Skopje over Macedonia’s name, the European Union foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said on Tuesday in Skopje. During talks with Macedonia’s Prime Minister, Nikola Gruevski, Solana urged the leadership to do everything in its power …

The Young European Federalist Movement, JEF, has criticized the EU visa liberalisation policy towards the Western Balkans, arguing that it could potentially create new divisions and anti-EU sentiments by leaving out Muslim minorities. The European Commission will ask the EU Council this week to offer visa-free travel to citizens of …

Belgrade is considering recognising Kosovo’s independence, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci claimed today. Kosovo’s government spokesman, Memli Krasniqi, confirmed to Balkan Insight that Thaci told Belgrade journalists today that Serbia was considering recognising Kosovo as a country.

BELGRADE, Serbia EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana visited Belgrade on Monday (July 13th) and insisted there will be no new conditions on Serbia’s path towards the EU. Sceptics have long believed that at some point, Serbia will be forced to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence to become an EU member.

ZAGREB, Croatia Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said Skopje will reply to UN mediator Matthew Nimetz’s latest proposals on the name dispute with Greece by the end of August. After a meeting in Croatia with his counterpart Stipe Mesic on Monday (July 13th), Ivanov welcomed Athens’ willingness to resolve the row …

PRISTINA, Kosovo Serbia’s special war crimes prosecutor for the first time published a list of former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) accused of committing war crimes, local media report on Tuesday (July 14th). The spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, Bruno Vekaric, says Serbia has issued 160 warrants against …

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands The UN war crimes tribunal will deliver its verdict against Bosnian Serbs Milan and Sredoje Lukic on July 20th, the court announced on Monday (July 13th). The Lukic cousins are charged with war crimes committed against Muslims during the 1992-1995 Bosnian conflict. Prosecutors want life sentences …

PRISTINA, Kosovo The Central Election Commission (CEC) confirmed on Monday (July 13th) the participation of 40 political entities in the November 15th local elections. CEC officials also briefed President Fatmir Sejdiu on their concerns regarding Serb political parties, particularly in Serb-dominated enclaves. Municipalities in the north have not presented their …

TIRANA, Albania The main opposition Socialist Party (SP) has secured a ninth mandate in the region of Fieri, according to new preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission on Monday (July 13th). Previous results suggested the SP won eight parliamentary mandates there. Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who leads the …

PRISTINA, Kosovo The Kosovo foreign ministry announced on Saturday (July 11th) that the Dominican Republic is the 62nd country to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. Dominican Republic congratulated the Kosovo authorities “on establishing institutions that have enabled the people to have a sovereign and internationally recognised state” the ministry …