Albania’s Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday to freeze all investments, from August 3, due to weakening revenue streams and higher expenditures in the run-up to the recent national elections. With the June 28 parliamentary polls behind them, experts say Albania’s politicians must initiate a candid debate on the local …
Read More »Biden addresses Georgia’s internal politics
On a visit to Georgia, the US Vice President has vowed strong support for the country, a year after its war with Russia. But he has also touched on tense internal politics. Joe Biden made a point of meeting members of the opposition, who have complained that President Mikheil Saakashvili …
Read More »Lavrov reiterates Russia’s negative stance on arms supplies to Georgia
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday reiterated Moscow’s negative stance on the possibility of weapons supplies to Georgia from abroad. “I have repeatedly commented on the issue of Georgia’s rearmament,” the foreign minister said. “I proceed from the fact that those who supplied Saakashvili’s regime with arms that were …
Read More »The EC on Romania
Romania has taken a number of welcome steps since the European Commission’s 2008 report to re-launch the reform process and a “new momentum” had been established which has resulted in a series of positive steps, the EC said in its July 22 report on the country’s performance under the Co-operation …
Read More »Obama nominates new ambassador to Bulgaria – report
US president Barack Obama is to name Marc S Ellenbogen, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, as ambassador in Sofia to replace Nancy McEldowney, a Bulgarian media report said on July 24 2009. Ellenbogen (47) chairs the board of directors of the Global Panel Foundation, Standart said.The paper quoted diplomatic sources. There …
Read More »Sick Rehn Cancels Bosnia Meetings
Due to sudden health problems, EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn has canceled his scheduled meetings in Sarajevo on Friday, EU officials confirm. During his three-day tour of the Balkans, Rehn visited Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. He arrived in Sarajevo on Thursday evening and was supposed to meet Bosnian officials and …
Read More »Macedonia Seeks EU Reforms Consensus
Facing a tight EU reform schedule, Macedonia’s prime minister will seek consensus on speeding the neccessary changes in a meeting with political party leaders on Friday. Hoping to promote the rapid passage of related legislation, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has summoned the head of the opposition, Social Democrat’s leader Branko …
Read More »Serb Gendarmerie Arrests Kosovars
Three Albanian Kosovars have been arrested by Serbian gendarmerie near the border with Serbia on Wednesday for allegedly crossing the border illegally, Kosovo police confirm. Sabri, Nexhip and Riad Dema were farming their land in the municipality of Pudojevo on Wednesday evening when they were arrested, their family told daily …
Read More »Croatia Rejects NATO’s Toxic Training Center
The Croatian Defence Ministry has turned down a NATO proposal for the construction of a centre for training against terrorist attacks with biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, the Jutarnji list daily reports. If the proposal had been accepted, thie facility would have been the largest training ground in Europe with …
Read More »Rehn reaffirms EU prospects of Serbia, Montenegro
BELGRADE, Serbia EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn reassured Serbian officials on Wednesday (July 22nd) that the European Commission (EC) is committed to bringing Serbia into the EU, once the country meets its obligations to the UN war crimes tribunal. After a meeting with President Boris Tadic, Rehn added that Serbia …
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