Eurasia

Swoboda Slams Germany over Threat to Block Bulgarian, Romanian Schengen Bid

Hannes Swoboda, President of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament, has described as “populist and deceitful” Germany’s threat to veto Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen accession. According to EurActiv, Swoboda has insisted that progress has been assessed in both countries and EU ministers

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Bulgarian President: Caretaker Cabinet to Prioritize Social Policy, Economy

The Minister of Labor and Social Policy, the Minister of Economy and Finance, and a Minister of EU Funds will be Deputy-PMs in Bulgaria’s future caretaker government, stated Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev. Tuesday it became certain that President Rosen Plevneliev will have to

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Serbia Hopeful of Deal on Northern Kosovo

Ahead of the sixth round of EU-led talks in Brussels, Serbian leaders say the outlines of a compromise solution to the vexed issue of nothern Kosovo are within sight.Ivica Dacic, Serbia’s Prime Minister, and his Kosovo counterpart, Hashim Thaci, are to continue their talks on the future of Serbian-financed institutions …

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Local Election Campaign Gets Underway in Macedonia

The campaign for the March 24 vote began on Monday after a last-minute political deal ensured that the Macedonian opposition reversed its boycott pledge.The agreement on Friday ended the opposition’s parliamentary boycott as well as ensuring its participation in the municipal race later this month, after a political crisis that …

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100,000 Rally in New Bulgaria Protests

Bulgarian demonstrators staged some of the largest rallies since the crisis erupted in the country and vowed to continue protests as their demands escalated.More than 100,000 people took to the streets across the country on Sunday, Bulgaria’s Liberation Day, demanding sweeping changes to the political system and economic policy. The …

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Macedonia Leaders Condemn Skopje Ethnic Riots

Politicians expressed revulsion after two days of violent, ethnically-charged protests gripped the capital, sparked by the controversial appointment of an ex-guerrilla as defence minister.Skopje was calm again on Monday after the unrest on Friday and Saturday that saw riot police use tear gas and armoured vehicles during clashes with protesters …

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Croatian Opposition Demands Early Elections

Croatia’s main opposition party, the Croatian Democratic Union, wants new polls after EU accession this year, accusing the government of mishandling the economy.“The ruling coalition’s [pre-election] plan was a deception. The governing team is incompetent, unskilled and even conceited,” said Croatian Democratic Union, HDZ, president Tomislav Karamarko in a televised …

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EU Criticises Albania Referendum Proposal

EU enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele condemned the ruling majority’s decision to hold a referendum on three bills required for Albania’s EU candidate status bid.I have been repeatedly stressing that the laws, and in particular the rules of procedures, need to be approved through consensus between the opposition and government and …

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