In a joint statement issued on Monday, the international election observer missions for Sunday’s parliamentary poll concluded that Albania’s election process demonstrated “marked improvements” but did not yet meet international standards. The mission included more than 400 short-term and long-term election monitors from the OSCE, ODIHR, Council of Europe Parliamentary …

Balkan nations, despite their commitments to the Central European Free Trade Agreement, are engaged in a tit-for-tat protectionist trade war, much of which has political motives, Ekrem Krasniqi and Anes Alic report for ISN Security Watch. By Ekrem Krasniqi and Anes Alic in Brussels and Sarajevo for ISN Security Watch …

NICOSIA, Cyprus Cypriot President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed Friday (June 26th) to open a new crossing point between the Greek and Turkish-run parts of the divided island. It will be located near the village of Limnitis (Yesilirmak in Turkish).