Balkans

Brussels fears that the involvement of European officials in key positions in Bulgaria’s administration may unnecessarily complicate reforms here, a commissioner said in Sofia. Margot Wallstrom, Vice President of the European Commission and Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy Commissioner, commented the extraordinary new plan, hatched by the government, to involve …

The Bulgarian Government should reconsider Budget 2009 spendings in order to generate surplus. That was Vladimir Karolev’s opinion, expressed at the sixth discussion of the “Debates 2009” campaign, organized by the Bulgarian Industrial Association. Vladimir Karolev is an economist at National Movement for Prosperity and Stability (NMPS), but he stressed …

Bulgarian parties and coalitions, willing to join the race for MEPs, should submit their papers to the Central Electoral Commission by May 12, it was announced on Monday. Bulgarians, living in EU member states, who want to vote in the MEP elections, should submit a request to this effect with …

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Franco Frattini, asked the EU to begin finalising the Trade Agreement with Serbia by the end of June. Italy has presented a plan to step up Euro-integration of the Western Balkans, in which it proposes speeding up negotiation of the Trade Agreement, and demands …

Croatia`s President, Stjepan Mesic, said that talks are taking place on dropping its genocide case against Serbia, with delegates from both sides participating. The Croatian President stated in a interview with Belgrade newspaper Vecernje Novosti that Croatia’s entry into NATO will contribute to the security of the entire region. “With …

The low turnout of ethnic Albanians in Sunday’s presidential election was because they felt neglected by the two presidential frontrunners, who are ethnic Macedonians, according to local analysts. The poll barely succeeded with a turnout of 42 per cent, only slightly above the required 40 per cent threshold. This was …

Kosovo is optimistic that it will win its case at the International Court of Justice, where the country’s declaration of independence is to be adjudicated following the official request made by Serbia in October, 2008. Kosovo’s government declares that it has made all necessary preparations to submit its arguments in …

“As never before, Kosovo’s European perspective is very close and ensured”, declared Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci after his visit from Brussels. “The European Union greets the progress attained in Kosovo since the declaration of independence”, declared Thaci. During the meeting with Senior UN Official, Javier Solana, it was noted …

Bulgaria’s financial system and the central bank’s balance sheet are in very good condition, and there is no reason for concern, Bulgarian National Bank, BNB, governor Ivan Iskrov announced. At a presentation of the events planned for BNB’s 130th anniversary, Iskrov said that many countries could only dream enviously of …

Macedonia’s lack of willingness to reach a deal with Greece over its name will not only keep it away from NATO and the EU, but also increase its isolation and poverty, ethnic Albanian leaders said. European Union and NATO member Greece imposed a veto on Macedonia’s NATO entry a year …