Balkans

Gambia recognized Kosovo last night, becoming the 57 state to do so. Located in Western Africa, the ex British colony’s population is 90 per cent Muslim. According to Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gambia’s recognition follows the latest meeting of Kosovo’s head of diplomacy, Skender Hyseni, with Gambia’s ambassador to …

The Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA testing started Tuesday in 170 schools in Serbia. In the next six weeks 6,500 students will be tested. PISA is a triennial worldwide test of 15-year-old school children’s scholastic performance, the implementation of which is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and …

The Serbian government has announced savings of €1 billion as part of its economic stability plan. Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said on Tuesday that 85 per cent of budget savings will be generated by cutting costs and 15 per cent by increasing revenue. “Besides cheaper public administration, the new package …

The International Monetary Fund has slashed its economic growth forecast for Albania. The IMF has revised its prediction of 2 to 3 per cent growth for Albania’s economy to between 0 and 1 per cent for the 2009 fiscal year. The new projection was announced on Tuesday by Gerwin Bell, …

Sofia – Bulgarian banks put up loan rates and fees, pulled consumer lending products and ended promotions in February as the global financial meltdown raged on, data from personal finance website moitepari.bg shows. DSK Bank, Raiffeisenbank and Emporiki Bank dropped unsecured consumer loan offers from their portfolios. Additionally, Emporiki now …

Hard currency loans to Serbia, Estonia and Latvia are the most at risk of default in central and eastern Europe, according to the International Monetary Fund. The IMF says that Western banks risk losing US$160 billion of a total US$1.6 trillion placed in the central and eastern European region, daily …

CHISINAU – Moldova will introduce visa regime with Romania starting from Thursday, April 9, Andrei Stratan, Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Integration Minister, announced on Wednesday. According to the official, the decision was approved at a government meeting on Wednesday, so as to consolidate efforts of maintaining …

Romania dismissed on Wednesday claims by Moldova’s president that it had interfered in his country’s internal affairs, and threatened to expel the Moldavian ambassador. Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin earlier on Wednesday accused Romania of involvement in the riots in Chisinau over the election results, announcing visa restrictions for Romanians and …

Moldova’s president has accused neighboring Romania of instigating violent protests against the newly elected Communist government, and declared the Romanian ambassador in the Eastern European country “persona non grata.” Wednesday, president Vladimir Voronin said the protests were a part of attempts to overthrow his government.

BUCHAREST -Romania Wednesday rejected accusations by Moldova’s President Vladimir Voronin that it had played a role in the anti-Communist unrest that have shaken Chisinau. “This accusation is a provocation aimed at the Romanian state,” Romania’s foreign ministry said in a statement issued shortly before Moldova told Bucharest’s ambassador in Chisinau …