Eurasia

The South Stream Pipeline and the Environmental Factor

The South Stream pipeline project is a complex technical endeavor which entails a wide array of factors, including that of environmental protection. The present assessment concerning South Stream’s environmental impact reveals opposing views from multiple actors vying for answers, concessions and influence alike. Furthermore, the South Stream project in terms …

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Outgoing U.S. ambassador commits to continuation of strategic partnership between Bulgaria and U.S.

SOFIA Outgoing U.S. ambassador Nancy McEldowney has committed to the continuation of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the U.S. At a ceremony in Bulgarian Defense Ministry she was awarded an honorary plaque Saint Georgi, first class.

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Slovenia’s Turk urges normalisation of ties with Croatia

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia Relations between Slovenia and Croatia are in a very sensitive phase and should be paid special attention, Slovenian President Danilo Turk said on Saturday (July 18th) in an interview with the daily Dnevnik. He stressed the two countries should continue talks on the latest proposal by the European …

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Kosovo submits second independence legality statement

PRISTINA, Kosovo/BELGRADE, Serbia Kosovo submitted a second written statement on the legality of its independence declaration to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Friday (July 17th), Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni said. He told reporters the documentation includes facts and arguments to counter claims that the move was in breach …

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ICTY’s Robinson pledges co-operation with Serbian courts

BELGRADE, Serbia The Hague war crimes tribunal (ICTY) is ready to co-operate with Serbian courts in handling war crimes trials, ICTY President Patrick Robinson said on Friday (July 17th) at the end of a two-day visit to Belgrade. He said the ICTY will seriously consider a proposal envisioning Serbian citizens …

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Cypriot communities disagree over guarantee system

NICOSIA, Cyprus/ANKARA, Turkey Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot President Demetris Christofias failed to reach an agreement on the issue of security guarantees at their 37th round of direct reunification talks on Friday (July 17th). The Turkish Cypriot side favours maintaining the current guarantee system under the …

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Bulgarian right-wing parties refuse to sign memorandum with GERB

SOFIA, Bulgaria The centre-right Blue Coalition and the conservative Order, Law, Justice Party (RZS) refused on Friday (July 17th) to sign a memorandum to support the minority government formed by the Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB). Blue Coalition leaders said the party won’t join the proposed political …

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PKK militants killed in clashes in south Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey Turkish security forces have killed three members of the outlawed separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in clashes in the southern province of Hatay, the army said on Saturday (July 18th), in a statement posted on its web site. The fighting broke out Friday in a mountainous area near …

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Supreme Court suspends trial of Romanian ex-minister

BUCHAREST, Romania The Supreme Court decided on Friday (July 17th) to suspend the trial of former Transport Minister Miron Mitrea on corruption charges, local media reported. Mitrea is accused of having taken bribes when he was in the minister position worth almost 200,000 euros between 2000 and 2004, to appoint …

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