Eurasia Press & News
BUCHAREST, Romania Parliament decided late on Monday (July 27th) to strip former Youth and Sports Minister Monica Iacob Ridzi of her immunity from prosecution. The vote by the Chamber of Deputies clears the way for the launch of a criminal investigation against Ridzi, who is suspected of embezzling public funds. …
Read More »Croatia likely to replace head of mission to UN
ZAGREB, Croatia Parliament’s foreign policy committee unanimously decided on Monday (July 27th) to propose that President Stipe Mesic remove Neven Jurica as head of the Croatian mission to the UN. Jurica requested he be relieved of his duties for health reasons. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration tightened …
Read More »Inzko considers options for Mostar
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) High Representative Valentin Inzko has discussed problems in the functioning of the town of Mostar, with the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), local media reported on Monday (July 27th). Inzko is considering all available options, his spokesperson Frane Maroevic said.
Read More »Rehn optimistic about Macedonian-Greek name row
BRUSSELS, Belgium EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn voiced optimism on Monday (July 27th) that Macedonia and Greece can still resolve their long-standing name dispute. He said both countries are working to move the issue forward. The stalemate has affected Macedonia’s bid to get an official start date for EU accession …
Read More »Foundation describes Kosovo as “unfinished” state
PRISTINA, Kosovo Many problems remain unaddressed in Kosovo 18 months after the country declared its independence, according to analysis by the German foundation Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Local media reports Tuesday (July 28th) quoted the assessment, which described Kosovo as an “unfinished” state with limited sovereignty and a de facto split …
Read More »Albania PM re-election confirmed
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s alliance has won enough seats to form a government, though it fell one seat short of a majority, officials say.The result means Mr Berisha’s centre-right alliance will be forced to govern with a small left-wing party. Election officials announced final results from the 28 June …
Read More »Albania joins Council of Europe Eurimages
STRASBOURG The Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe Eurimages is pleased to welcome a new member state, Albania, as of 1st September 2009, the Council of Europe says in a press release. As a result, co-production projects involving a co-producer from Albania can be submitted to Eurimages for examination …
Read More »Russia’s historic heritage threatened
Moscow city officials are employing the brutal methods of Soviet predecessors to develop a rash of buildings that are destroying the Russian capital’s historic heritage. Landmarks under threat include the Bolshoi Theatre, the Mayakovskaya metro station and monuments of the avant-garde, according to a new a survey by the Moscow …
Read More »Georgia more modest now, a year after war
TBILISI It would be a stretch to say Mikheil Saakashvili has been humbled. But almost a year after Georgia’s war with Russia, the flamboyant president, like his country, cuts a more modest figure. The five-day war dashed the former Soviet republic’s hopes of taking back control of the rebel regions …
Read More »Bulgaria PM vows to step up battle over graft
Boyko Borissov, Bulgaria’s new prime minister, yesterday pledged to mend fences with the rest of the European Union by stepping up the fight against corruption. The European Commission last week criticised the outgoing government for failing to curb high-level corruption. It has been critical of the failure to bring to …
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