Eurasia

The trial of General Zdravko Tolimir, accused of crimes committed in Srebrenica in July 1995, will begin today in The Hague with the Prosecution’s opening statement, Tolimir will represent himself during the trial, despite Chamber warnings that this may be difficult for him.

The opposition Socialist Party (SP) announced on Wednesday (February 24th) that its members are returning to parliament Thursday after nearly six months of boycott. “This is a step we take to show that we don’t aim to prevent reforms, and give the majority a chance to resolve the political crisis,” …

Greek CypriotPresident Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat met on Wednesday (February 24th) to continue intensified talks on reunifying the divided island, focusing this time on the economy. Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’ special adviser for Cyprus, says they will meet again on Friday.

The Serbian government and its Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija have rejected the so-called strategy for north Kosovo, claiming it is invalid. The strategy was introduced in mid-January by the International Civilian Office, ICO, in Pristina, and the Kosovo government, and it drew strong opposition from Kosovo Serbs.

At the invitation of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc arrives on an official visit to Bulgaria, the government’s press service announced. The two prime ministers are to visit the construction site Danube Bridge II at the city of Vidin on Friday.

Montenegrin FM Milan Roćen welcomed back Serbian Ambassador to Podgorica Zoran Lutovac, with the remark that he “did not have to leave Montenegro at all”. “What can I say. Welcome. As far as we are concerned he did not even have to leave, but those calls to consultations are a …

France’s Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will visit Belgrade on Monday and meet with Serbia’s top officials. Kouchner and his hosts will discuss the Serbia’s European integration, Kosovo issues and a strategic partnership between the two countries. One of the topics during the discussions will be a possible visit to Serbia …

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković met with his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc on Wednesday in Budapest. Cvetković said that Serbia deeply appreciates the principled stance of Romania regarding the defense of principles of international law in the Kosovo and Metohija issue.

Court presidents and prosecutors of the former Yugoslav republics shared the view that international cooperation in hunting war criminals is good, but it must be improved.

Kosovo’s premier Hashim Thaci appointed Ylber Hysa as the government’s coordinator of the strategy for Mitrovica North.