Eurasia

Russia has made a $500 million loan to Belarus contingent on its recognition of two separatist Georgian regions as independent states, President Alexander Lukashenko was quoted as saying on Friday. But Lukashenko, interviewed by Russian media, said Belarus’s support was not for sale. Relations between the two former Soviet republics …

The U.N. war crimes tribunal in The Hague said on Friday it would restart the trial of two former Serbian intelligence chiefs next Tuesday after suspending the trial last year due to the ill health of one the suspects. Jovica Stanisic, head of the secret service of late Yugoslav President …

NEW YORK, United States Hague tribunal chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz gave a positive assessment of Croatia’s war crimes co-operation in his regular report to the UN Security Council on Thursday (June 4th).

PODGORICA, Montenegro The heads of eight Southeast European countries adopted a declaration Thursday (June 4th) on managing cultural heritage and making its protection a top priority. Issuing the joint statement were the presidents of Bulgaria, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, following their conference in Cetinje. …

BUCHAREST, Romania President Traian Basescu attended a ceremony Thursday (June 4th) marking the end of Romania’s six-year mission in Iraq. Over the course of it, two soldiers were killed and 12 were injured. Romania deployed 366 troops to Iraq and remained there longer than most other countries in the US-led …

NEW YORK, United States The trial against former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic will begin in late August and will probably last about two years, Patrick Robinson, president of The Hague war crimes tribunal, said on Thursday (June 4th).

WASHINGTON, United States The US Helsinki Committee said on Thursday (June 4th) that Albania’s general elections later this month presents an opportunity for the country to organise its first vote in line with international standards.

PRISTINA, Kosovo The World Bank Board of Governors has sent official confirmation that Kosovo is the newest member of the financial institution, local media reported on Thursday (June 4th). Prime Minister Hashim Thaci described it as a success for Kosovo, its institutions and its citizens.

Armenia’s prime minister Tigran Sargsyan made a speech in support to opening of the Armenian-Turkish border. Delivering a lecture “Crisis as an opportunity” to young professionals in Yerevan, he particularly mentioned, that Armenia currently is too dependent on Georgia. “2/3 of our foreign turnover is carried out via Georgia, transit …

Bucharest. Romanians began voting Sunday morning to choose 33 people who will serve as representatives of the country in the European Parliament for the next five years, Romanian Mediafax agency reported. A total of over 18 million registered voters are expected to cast ballots between 7:00 am (GMT 0400) and …