Balkans

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 …

ZAGREB, Croatia EU and US participants in the two-day regional summit on energy, investments and economic development in Dubrovnik said in a joint statement on Friday (July 10th) the Western Balkan countries should join the EU and NATO. They stressed Western Balkan countries’ progress must be acknowledged to keep citizens’ …

SOFIA, Bulgaria EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva announced on Friday (July 10th) that she will complete her term at the European Commission (EC) and give up her European Parliament (EP) seat. Kuneva was elected in the June 7th European elections in Bulgaria but to take the EP seat, she …

ANKARA Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev determined the signing of the Nabucco agreement in Ankara an important step forward, government’s press office reports.

Bulgarian Prime Minster-designate Boyko Borisov, the informal leader of the GERB party, which won the July 5 general elections, suspended over the weekend the powers of the outgoing finance minister, banning him from signing any further contracts or agreements. “I do not trust this person, [Finance Minister] Petar Dimitrov, and …

SKOPJE. Bulgaria’s future Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced he backs the idea of terminating the negotiations over South Stream natural gas pipeline construction, which is a problem for project’s realization.

BELGRADE Ahead of EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana’s meetings with Serbia’s senior officials, guests on a B92 TV program debated the issues of Kosovo and visas. “He is surely coming to announce to us what will happen on Wednesday, July 15, and as Mr. [EC Vice President Jacques] Barrot …

BELGRADE EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will arrive here on Monday for meetings with Serbia’s top officials. In Belgrade, he will talk to President Boris Tadić, PM Mirko Cvetković, his first deputy and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.