Balkans

Djelic says EC will ease visa regime for Serbia by year’s end

BELGRADE, Serbia — Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic insisted on Wednesday (March 18th) that Serbia would receive a positive assessment from the EU Council of Ministers and would join the countries on the so-called White Schengen List before the end of the year.

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Macedonia invites Greece to improve relations

SKOPJE, Macedonia — Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki says Macedonia has proposed different initiatives to Greece aimed at improving bilateral relations that have been strained for the past 18 years over the countries’ bitter name dispute.

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Albanian opposition again criticises process for issuing ID cards

TIRANA, Albania — The opposition Socialist Party (SP) warned on Wednesday (March 18th) that the process of issuing new electronic ID cards is about to fail. SP leader Edi Rama proposed a draft law to issue the identification documents for free, arguing that many citizens have trouble paying for them. …

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Mitrovica honors a Norwegian for contribution to Kosovo

Tor Arne Martinsen, the principal of the Celeburg School of Fredrikstad municipality in Norway, yesterday received the Honorary Citizen of Mitrovica Award for his contribution given to Kosovo and the Mitrovica municipality, particularly in the field of education. The members of the Mitrovica Municipality Assembly granted the Honorary Citizen of …

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World Bank approves $13.5 million for Serbia Health Project

The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a $13.5 million loan in additional financing for the Serbia Health Project. The aim of the project is to develop a sustainable, performance-oriented health care system where providers are rewarded for quality and efficiency. Building on the achievements of the Serbia Health …

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Romania must close 65 polluting landfills to avoid EC punishment

BUCHAREST – Romania must close the remaining 65 non-ecological landfills by mid-July this year, in order to avoid the launch of infringement procedure by the European Commission (EC), said on Thursday Environment Minister Nicolae Nemirschi. “I believe we are close to seeing the launch of the infringement procedure by the …

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Stanishev wants EU watchdog in Sofia to oversee progress

An article in the Economist magazine reports that Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev has proposed a kind of committee of European Union officials to visit Bulgaria in order to monitor and enforce progress in the country’s drive against corruption and organised crime. Stanishev’s idea follows the European Commission’s decision to …

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Bulgaria to receive about EUR 105 million on different projects: PM

Brussels. Bulgaria will receive about EUR 105 million on different projects, expect for Nabucco. This is what Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev said at a video conference with Brussels, FOCUS News Agency reporter informs. Energy projects on infrastructure are among the projects, which will be financed. 

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EC denies Bulgarian Cabinet claims of support over Kozloduy compensations

The European Commission denied on March 20 the claims of the Bulgarian Cabinet that it won the backing of EC president Jose Manuel Barroso for the Bulgarian demands for additional compensation for the shutdown of two units at Kozloduy nuclear station. Earlier in the day, the Government press service said …

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