Balkans

The Albanian government has come under harsh criticism from the opposition after an EU progress report said Tirana is not as close to fulfilling requirements needed to liberalise the visa regime as some of its neighbours are. According to the report Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina have so far failed …

After meeting the Serb representative of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency Nebojsa Radmanovic, Serbian President Boris Tadic said Belgrade supports a united Bosnia. At a news conference Monday, the Serbian president told press that Serbia fully supports the agreement made by Bosnia’s three constituencies, and respects is responsibilities and duties as guarantor …

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said on Monday that the statement by his Croatian counterpart Ivo Sanader that Croatia would not accept Slovenia’s amendments to the proposal by the EU’s enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, on solving the border dispute between the two countries, was not stimulating. During a pause of …

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic filed a 140-page motion on Monday arguing charges against him tied to the 1992-1995 Bosnia war should be dropped because he was promised immunity by a top U.S. official. Karadzic, arrested and brought to the tribunal for former Yugoslavia last year after 11 years …

ANKARA, Turkey The newly elected Turkish Cypriot government said Friday (May 22nd) that it sees little hope that ongoing talks will lead to the reunification of the divided island. “The Greek Cypriot side is creating problems even on smaller issues. I am not optimistic for a solution, though I want …

ZAGREB, Croatia Students at the University of Zagreb’s philosophy faculty decided Sunday (May 24th) to end their five-week protest against plans to charge tuition fees. According to new rules set forth by the government, free tuition will be available only to students who pass their exams on time. Announcing their …

PRISTINA, Kosovo The European Commission (EC) Liaison Office launched a project Friday (May 22nd) to rebuild five bridges along the road connecting Kosovo and Macedonia. The head of the EC Liaison Office, Renzo Daviddi, said the initiative will contribute to Kosovo’s economic development and regional integration. “The M2 road is …

PRISTINA, Kosovo OSCE spokeswoman Elli Flen told the BBC on Sunday (May 24th) that the organisation’s role in the upcoming municipal elections will only be supervisory and observatory. President Fatmir Sejdiu is expected to decide the date of this year’s vote by the middle of this week, following consultations with …

SKOPJE, Macedonia Dozens of earthquakes shook the southeast on Sunday (May 24th). The strongest measured 5.4 on the Richter scale at around 6 pm local time in the Valandovo region near the border with Greece. Seismologists counted more than 70 quakes throughout the day, which caused public panic and damaged …

A resolution adopted the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC, which welcomes cooperation with Kosovo and calls on the international community to continue to foster the country’s economy, has been greeted as a success by both Pristina and Belgrade. But while both countries claim victory, they give very different interpretations to …