March, 2009

• 20 March

  Spain expected to increase Afghanistan troops after leaving Kosovo

  Madrid – Spain’s decision to withdraw its peacekeepers from Kosovo was Friday expected to be followed by an increase of Spanish troops in Afghanistan, press reports said. Spain could increase its contingent of nearly 800 soldiers in Afghanistan with up to 500 more, senior military sources were quoted by the …

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• 20 March

  Decentralisation process begins in Kosovo

  PRISTINA, Kosovo — A group of cabinet ministries decided on Wednesday (March 18th) to start Kosovo’s decentralisation process. Serb-dominated municipalities will be established in Mitrovica — North, Gracanica, Ranillug, Partesh, Kllokot/Verboc and Novoberde. Six teams will work to secure resources, properties and administrative structures for each. After the next local …

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• 20 March

  Croatian cabinet sends NATO treaty to parliament

  ZAGREB, Croatia — The government decided at a session on Wednesday (March 18th) to submit the NATO treaty to parliament for ratification. Prime Minister Ivo Sanader noted that the majority of NATO members had ratified the document and the rest were expected to follow suit soon, clearing the way for …

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• 20 March

  Djelic says EC will ease visa regime for Serbia by year’s end

  BELGRADE, Serbia — Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic insisted on Wednesday (March 18th) that Serbia would receive a positive assessment from the EU Council of Ministers and would join the countries on the so-called White Schengen List before the end of the year.

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• 20 March

  Macedonia invites Greece to improve relations

  SKOPJE, Macedonia — Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki says Macedonia has proposed different initiatives to Greece aimed at improving bilateral relations that have been strained for the past 18 years over the countries’ bitter name dispute.

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• 20 March

  Albanian opposition again criticises process for issuing ID cards

  TIRANA, Albania — The opposition Socialist Party (SP) warned on Wednesday (March 18th) that the process of issuing new electronic ID cards is about to fail. SP leader Edi Rama proposed a draft law to issue the identification documents for free, arguing that many citizens have trouble paying for them. …

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• 20 March

  Mitrovica honors a Norwegian for contribution to Kosovo

  Tor Arne Martinsen, the principal of the Celeburg School of Fredrikstad municipality in Norway, yesterday received the Honorary Citizen of Mitrovica Award for his contribution given to Kosovo and the Mitrovica municipality, particularly in the field of education. The members of the Mitrovica Municipality Assembly granted the Honorary Citizen of …

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• 20 March

  World Bank approves $13.5 million for Serbia Health Project

  The World Bank Board of Directors today approved a $13.5 million loan in additional financing for the Serbia Health Project. The aim of the project is to develop a sustainable, performance-oriented health care system where providers are rewarded for quality and efficiency. Building on the achievements of the Serbia Health …

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• 20 March

  EU leaders approve Belarus joining Eastern Partnership program

  BRUSSELS – The leaders of the 27 EU member countries have approved the inclusion of Belarus in the bloc’s Eastern Partnership program, the Czech prime minister’s spokesman said on Friday. “Belarus is on the list,” he said. The Czech Republic currently holds the European Union’s rotating presidency. 

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• 20 March

  Medvedev, Obama may set nuclear agenda

  Russian and US presidents should make progress on long-range nuclear weapons cuts when they meet next month, but Moscow will be linking this to US anti-missile plans which it opposes, an official said. A follow-up pact to the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START-1), which expires in December, is on …

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