Balkans

Supplies of Russian natural gas to southeastern Europe are under control following a pipeline explosion this week, European Union gas experts said on Thursday. The blast on a 30-year-old pipeline in a separatist region of ex-Soviet Moldova caused a drop in deliveries on Wednesday. “After hearing reports of the countries …

Serbian unions said on Thursday they would stage mass protests within two weeks unless government officials take their share of spending cuts agreed last week to secure an IMF loan. Serbia plans to freeze wages and pensions for 18 months and impose a 6 percent income tax surcharge to achieve …

WASHINGTON, United States – Croatia and Albania completed their NATO accession processes and became members of the Alliance on Wednesday (April 1st), expanding the group to 28, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer announced.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – High Representative and EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko underscored the importance of dialogue and compromise at his first meeting with BiH presidency members Nebojsa Radmanovic, Zeljko Komsic and Haris Silajdzic, on Tuesday (March 31st).

BELGRADE, Serbia – A former mayor of Zrenjanin and leader of President Boris Tadic’s Democratic Party (DS) has been charged with corruption, along with 21 other people, the special organised crime prosecution service announced on Wednesday (April 1st).

ATHENS, Greece – Greece is being paralysed by a 24-hour national strike Thursday (April 2nd) organised by the two largest trade unions in the country — the General Confederation of Workers of Greece and the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council.

PRISTINA, Kosovo – Opposition parties asked President Fatmir Sejdiu on Wednesday (April 1st) to schedule local elections in October. The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, and Reformist Party leader Teuta Sahatcia say the elections should be held before cold weather sets in.

TIRANA, Albania – The opposition Socialist Party (SP) on Wednesday (April 1st) criticised the government for failing to prepare the country well enough for the June 28th general elections. The SP says Albania cannot guarantee that one fifth of the voters will be able to cast their ballot as a …

PRISTINA, Kosovo – The Ombudsperson Institution published a report Wednesday (April 1st) that blames UNMIK for rights violations the Roma have suffered in camps in northern Mitrovica since 1999. The report concludes that UNMIK has continuously violated international standards for human rights and it urges the government to intervene by …

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) – The economic crisis could lead to social unrest and new political turmoil throughout the Balkans, Hido Biscevic, head of the Sarajevo-based Regional Co-operation Council for Southeast Europe, told Reuters on Wednesday (April 1st).