Balkans

CEDB, BSP, Ataka, MRF and UDF enter parliament if election were held today: poll

Sofia. If the parliamentary elections were held today, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria /CEDB/, Bulgarian Socialist Party /BSP/, Ataka, Movement for Rights and Freedoms /MRF/ and Union of Democratic Forces /UDF/ would pass the threshold, director of the National Center for Study of Public Opinion Lidia Yordanova announced at …

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EUFOR: “No New War Coming to Bosnia”

In response to the growing public concerns that some level of violence in Bosnia could be possible as a result of growing political tensions, as well as fast-approaching social and economic crisis, commander of the 2,000-strong EU-peacekeeping troops on Tuesday resolutely dismissed any such possibility. “We are very much aware …

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Slovenia Favours EU Mediation on Border

Slovenia’s main political parties have accepted an offer of EU mediation in its border dispute with Croatia that has stymied progress in Zagreb’s accession talks with the 27-member bloc. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has asked Nobel peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari to help Slovenia and Croatia resolve the dispute, local …

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Albania Seeks Jail for Ethnic Greek Mayor

A prosecutor has sought a one year prison term and a 5 million lek (€38000) fine from an ethnic Greek mayor in Albania who was indicted after he ordered the dismantling of road signs because they were not bilingual, causing subsequent traffic chaos. Mayor Vasil Bollano from the town of …

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Macedonia Election Campaign Gains Momentum

As political campaigning ahead of Macedonia’s March 22 presidential and municipal elections gains momentum, candidates focus on the ongoing name row with Greece and the state of the economy. Seven candidates are running for president, while over 380 candidates are vying for 83 municipal seats. 

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Think-Tank Warns Against Early Bosnia Pullout

In its latest report, one of the leading international think-tanks, the International Crisis Group, ICG, has warned against the early departure of international political and military presence in Bosnia. “While Bosnia and Herzegovina’s time as an international protectorate is ending, which is in itself most welcome, now is the wrong …

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Czech PM Visits Macedonia

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, the current holder of the EU presidency, is due to arrive in Skopje this Tuesday for an official visit to Macedonia, where he will meet his counterpart Nikola Gruevski and President Branko Crvenkovski. The visit comes just weeks before the March 22 presidential and local …

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Palau is 56th State to Recognise Kosovo

The small Pacific state of the Republic of Palau became the 56th country to recognise Kosovo as an independent state on Monday. The President of Palau Johanson Toribiong sent a letter to the newly independent Balkan state’s President, Fatmir Sejdiu, confirming the recognition of Kosovo. 

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Kosovo PM Invites Serbian President

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has invited Serbia’s President Boris Tadic to meet in Pristina to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two states. “You know that Belgrade wants handcuffs and keys for me every day,” he told media in the Serb-populated town of Cagllavica on Sunday, saying instead that he …

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War Crimes Case Endangers Bosnia-Serbia Ties

Bosnia’s Minister of Security, Tarik Sadovic, has warned the Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, that “good neighborly relations” between the two countries could “be jeopardized” if Serbia insists on prosecuting 19 Bosnian officials charged for war crimes against the Yugoslav Army in 1992. “I have asked that Dacic, in his …

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