Eurasia

Recognitions of Kosovo’s independence will continue before and after the decision by the World Court on its legality, says the International Crisis Group’s Sabine Freizer. “It will be good that the decision by the International Court of Justice shall not (explicitly) outline that the declaration of independence was illegal,” said …

Saudi Arabia has recognised Kosovo’s independence, reports Kosovo’s public broadcast network, Radio Television Kosovo, RTK, on Monday. “In accordance to religious and cultural ties with the population of Kosovo, and as a sign of respect for the Kosovo population’s willpower to win independence, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notifies its …

A recount in Moldova’s disputed election, ordered after violent protests against a Communist victory, will produce no changes in the standing of parties in parliament, a top official says. Election officials proceeded with the recount after Communist President Vladimir Voronin said such as step could re-establish trust in the former …

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has called for an amnesty for people detained after violent protests in which his ruling Communists were accused of election fraud. He was speaking after several international bodies alleged authorities were mistreating some of the 200 demonstrators held after last week’s protests against the victory by …

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has vetoed a disputed amendment to the electoral law that was approved by the Socialist-controlled parliament ahead of general elections in July. One day after the changes were approved by lawmakers, Parvanov warned an amendment raising the threshold for party alliances to enter parliament could create …

Some 25 percent of Bulgaria’s citizens say they are ready to sell their vote ahead of parliamentary elections due in early July, a report by Open Society shows. The good news is that only 5 percent of them would cast their ballot for the bribing party, said Open Society Executive …

Russia successfully test-fired a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday as part of checks needed to extend its service life for up to 22 years, Russian media reported. The Topol was fired from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, nestled among the forests of northern Russia, and successfully hit the test site on …

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Foreign ministers of the EU Troika, consisting of past, current and future EU presidency holders, urged the BiH authorities on Thursday (April 9th) to speed up key reforms aimed at moving the country closer to the EU. The call was issued as the Czech, French …

PRISTINA, Kosovo Kosovo is ready to defend its 2008 independence declaration before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), media reported on Friday (April 10th). British expert Michael Wood will lead Kosovo’s legal team at the ICJ to debate Serbia’s motion questioning the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence in February …

BUCHAREST, Romania The prince of Hohenzollern-Veringen, Radu Duda, son-in-law of former King Mihai I of Romania, announced his candidacy for president on Thursday (April 9th). The election will be held in November.