Balkans

BRUSSELS, Belgium The EU reiterated on Monday (May 18th) that Albania must ensure free and fair parliamentary elections in June in line with international standards, to boost its chances to receive EU candidate status.

ZAGREB, Croatia The government’s anti-crisis measures are not sufficient to address the challenges of the global economic crisis, President Stipe Mesic told Zagreb-based business daily Poslovni Dnevnik on Monday (May 18th). He noted that most of the moves seem to be prolonged, delaying implementation until after the local elections. Mesic …

SOFIA A few days ago Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev explained that the Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Plugchieva was not included in the Bulgarian Socialist Party’s election ticket, since it would represent too great a loss for the Council of Ministers, if she were to become a Member of the European …

US Vice President Joseph Biden, on his second part of his three-day trip to the Balkans, said he had come to Belgrade to convey a message that Washington wants to improve relations with Serbia. After meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Biden said that “the U.S. wants to improve cooperation …

Sharp but tender, blunt but caring, US Vice President Joseph Biden’s speech Bosnia’s Parliament – which was broadcasted live on television across the country – won Bosnians over, local media agreed on Wednesday. “His entire speech was filled with love for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo,” said Sead Numanovic, editor-in-chief …

US Vice-President Joseph Biden arrived in Belgrade at 10am local time, on the second leg of his three-day Balkan tour. Biden arrived in Air Force 2, escorted by a squadron of Serbian Army MIG fighters, the BETA news agency reported. 

Mustafa Ceric, the head of the Islamic Community in Bosnia-Herzegovina, appealed Tuesday to Belgrade to take greater responsibility in ensuring that human rights are guaranteed for all citizens. At a central gathering in Novi Pazar he said human and religious rights of Muslims in Serbia are being violated and emphasised …

Bahrain has become the 60th state to recognise Kovoso’s independence. “Considering the cultural and religious ties between the two nations and the respect to the will for independence of the people of Kosovo, Bahrain decides to recognise Kosovo’s independence,” read a statement from Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported …

Macedonia is well on the way to being granted a full visa liberalisation for travel to the EU, local media said Wednesday citing an unnamed diplomatic source. The European Commission’s assessment of whether the countries in the Western Balkans have fulfilled the requirements for the abolition of the visa regime …

The UN mediator in the Athens-Skopje name row, Matthew Nimetz will probably visit both countries by June-end in a renewed effort to find a solution to the on-going spat, Greek media say. Nimetz has not confirmed the reports. Wednesday’s edition of Greek daily “To Vima” says that Nimetz will only …