April, 2009

• 9 April

  Bulgaria Right Wing Seeks End of Dependence on Russia

  Bulgaria’s two biggest opposition right-wing parties have called for a moratorium on moves that would secure the country’s dependence on Russia after the current government steps down. The statement was triggered by the Socialist-led ruling coalition’s last minute efforts to negotiate a new contract with Russian energy giant Gazprom and …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Ahtisaari: ‘Russia Will Recognise Kosovo’

  Former UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari is optimistic Moscow will recognise Kosovo’s independence, now relations between the US and Russia are thawing. The man who devised the blueprint for Kosovo’s supervised independence told Voice of America that it may take “some time in order for this to happen”. “I hope that …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Bosnian Serb Leader Warns US: ‘Stay Away’

  The Premier of Bosnia’s Republika Srpska has warned the United States of America to refrain from appointing a special envoy for the troubled country. “Dodik warns Americans: stay away from the adventure,” Bosnia’s news web portal Pincom reported, quoting Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik’s statement given to journalists in Banja …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Kosovo Marks Constitution Anniversary

  Legislators from Kosovo’s assembly gathered for a special meeting on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of the country’s first constitution as an independent state. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on February 17 of last year and agreed its first constitution on April 9. The constitution emphasises minority rights and …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Gambia Recognises Kosovo

  Gambia recognized Kosovo last night, becoming the 57 state to do so. Located in Western Africa, the ex British colony’s population is 90 per cent Muslim. According to Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gambia’s recognition follows the latest meeting of Kosovo’s head of diplomacy, Skender Hyseni, with Gambia’s ambassador to …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  PISA Test Begins in Serbia

  The Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA testing started Tuesday in 170 schools in Serbia. In the next six weeks 6,500 students will be tested. PISA is a triennial worldwide test of 15-year-old school children’s scholastic performance, the implementation of which is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Serbia Reveals €1 Billion Saving Plan

  The Serbian government has announced savings of €1 billion as part of its economic stability plan. Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said on Tuesday that 85 per cent of budget savings will be generated by cutting costs and 15 per cent by increasing revenue. “Besides cheaper public administration, the new package …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  IMF Slashes Albania Growth for 2009

  The International Monetary Fund has slashed its economic growth forecast for Albania. The IMF has revised its prediction of 2 to 3 per cent growth for Albania’s economy to between 0 and 1 per cent for the 2009 fiscal year. The new projection was announced on Tuesday by Gerwin Bell, …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Bulgarian Banks Go Hard on Loan Applicants

  Sofia – Bulgarian banks put up loan rates and fees, pulled consumer lending products and ended promotions in February as the global financial meltdown raged on, data from personal finance website moitepari.bg shows. DSK Bank, Raiffeisenbank and Emporiki Bank dropped unsecured consumer loan offers from their portfolios. Additionally, Emporiki now …

  Read More »
• 9 April

  Serbia Risky for Foreign Banks

  Hard currency loans to Serbia, Estonia and Latvia are the most at risk of default in central and eastern Europe, according to the International Monetary Fund. The IMF says that Western banks risk losing US$160 billion of a total US$1.6 trillion placed in the central and eastern European region, daily …

  Read More »