March, 2009

• 20 March

  Russian Bombers on Year`s First Training Exercise

  Renewed activity by Russia`s strategic bombers over the Atlantic and regular tests of strategic missiles have rung alarm bells in the West. Russian strategic bombers on Thursday carried out their first training exercise of the year, firing cruise missiles at a training ground in northern Russia, Interfax news agency reported. …

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• 20 March

  Germany arrests two men for allegedly giving state secrets to Kosovo, Macedonia

  BERLIN, Germany — Police in Stuttgart on Thursday (March 19th) arrested two men who allegedly provided confidential governmental information to members of criminal groups and foreign intelligence services in Kosovo and Macedonia.

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• 20 March

  Croatia adopts its negotiating position on the judicial chapter in EU talks

  ZAGREB, Croatia — The national committee in charge of EU talks approved on Thursday (March 19th) Croatia’s negotiating position on the judiciary and fundamental rights chapter of its EU acquis, committee chairwoman Vesna Pusic announced. She described this chapter as one of the most important in the accession talks.

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• 20 March

  Strong explosion shakes Athens

  ATHENS, Greece — A strong explosion shook the offices of a real estate state agency in Athens late on Thursday (March 19th). Preliminary investigations suggest that a gas leak may have caused the blast in the Ambelokipi district.

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• 20 March

  Croatia investigates 28 former JNA pilots in relation to Dubrovnik bombings

  ZAGREB, Croatia — Prosecutors are investigating possible war crimes committed in Dubrovnik in 1991-1992 by 28 pilots with the former Yugoslav National Army (JNA), not just the three pilots who appeared in a Podgorica court in relation to the case, district prosecutors in Dubrovnik announced on Thursday (March 19th). The …

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• 20 March

  Albania briefs EP delegation on current developments

  TIRANA, Albania — The chairwoman of the European Parliament’s (EP) delegation to Southeast Europe, Doris Pack, visited Tirana on Thursday (March 19th) to meet with senior officials.

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• 20 March

  Romania’s PNL to elect new leaders

  BUCHAREST, Romania — Members of the National Liberal Party (PNL) are gathering on Friday (March 20th) for a two-day extraordinary congress to elect new leaders. Deputy PNL President Crin Antonescu prompted the move by challenging current party President Calin Popescu Tariceanu for failing to join the ruling coalition after the …

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• 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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