April, 2009

• 27 April

  Sofia hosts European energy security summit

  SOFIA, Bulgaria Officials wrapped up a two-day energy summit in Sofia on Saturday (April 25th) by saying uninterrupted supplies of natural gas and finding alternative routes for moving it from the Caspian region are preconditions to strengthening energy security. In a joint declaration, participants said strategic energy partnership and co-operation …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Earthquake rattles Romania

  BUCHAREST, Romania An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook eastern and central Romania late Saturday (April 25th). Officials say the epicentre was in the Vrancea region, about120km northeast of Bucharest. No damage or injuries were reported but people panicked and left their homes. The earthquake was also felt …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Moldova rejects new Romanian envoy

  BUCHAREST, Romania Moldova has rejected a new ambassador proposed by Romania, an official said yesterday, in another sign of deteriorating relations between the neighboring countries. Earlier this month, Moldova accused Romania of supporting violent anticommunist demonstrations by thousands of people who stormed Moldova’s parliament and presidential offices to protest an …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  President: Romania to keep its military in Kosovo, Afghanistan

  Romanian President Traian Basescu said on Friday that his country is going to keep its troops in Kosovo and Afghanistan till the NATO mission is concluded. Basescu made the statement at the end of the meeting with the visiting NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, who is paying a …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Russia’s Atomstroyexport Signs with France’s Areva for Bulgaria N-Plant

  The Russian Company Atomstroyexport (ASE) and France’s Areva signed an agreement for their participation in the construction of the planned 4.0 billion euro nuclear power plant at Belene, Bulgaria, the Russian energy ministry announced. The move comes after Germany’s Siemens pulled out of its CARSIB consortium with Areva, which was …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Mitrovica Serbs Protest Albanians’ Reconstruction

  Some 100 Serbs have protested on Saturday in Mitrovica’s North against the reconstruction process of houses in Kroi I Vitkaut/Brdani neighborhood, populated by local Albanians. The protesters, who gathered around at 10 am, attempted to penetrate by force the police cordon to reach the location where the reconstruction process has …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Thaci Awaits Greek Recognition

  Kosovo’s Premier, Hashim Thaci declared that Greece will recognise Kosovo’s independence in the “not so distant future”. This declaration was issued during Thaci’s visit to Skopje on Saturday during which Kosovo’s government declared that Macedonia and Kosovo are to establish diplomatic relations very soon. According to him, Macedonia’s recognition of …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Serbian Officers Not Going to Georgia

  A Belgrade daily, Blic, reports that alleged decisions to send Serbian Army, SA, members to take part in NATO exercises in Georgia are ‘not true’. “The truth is that our soldiers will not go to Georgia and we have notified the Russian Ambassador in Belgrade about this,” a source with …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Bulgarian Finance Minister Claims Surplus

  Despite the gloomy predicament of the global financial crisis, Bulgaria is predicting to have a 1 per cent budget surplus in 2009. Plamen Oresharski, Bulgarian Minister of Finance, Plamen Oresharski, is assuring the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank of a 1 per cent surplus, during his meeting with …

  Read More »
• 27 April

  Saudi Recognition of Kosovo Likely Uninfluential

  Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence is unlikely to influence other Islamic countries, experts claim. Christian Le Mière, Editor of Jane’s Intelligence Review and a senior foreign affairs expert, told Balkan Insight that there is little chance that Riyadh’s decision will result in a flurry of recognitions from neighbouring states. …

  Read More »