March, 2009

• 18 March

  IMF to offer crisis-hit Serbia $3.9bn loan: Minister

  BELGRADE: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is ready to provide crisis-hit Serbia with up to ¤3bn ($3.9bn) in aid over two years, Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic said yesterday. “The IMF is offering us… two billion (euros) this year and one billion (euros) next year” in the form of a stand-by …

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• 18 March

  Serbs mark Kosovo riots anniversary

  KOSOVSKA MITROVICA: Serbs in the flashpoint Kosovo town of Mitrovica on Tuesday marked the fifth anniversary of riots that left 19 dead and 900 injured. Kosovo Serb leaders laid flowers on the bridge over the Ibar river, which splits the northern town, in honour of the victims of the worst …

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• 18 March

  Albania determined to put in EU bid in June

  Albania faces an uphill battle to join the EU, with the PM acknowledging that hard economic times could create a ‘sentiment of reluctance’ among Europeans to welcome new member states. Tirana — Albania is determined to submit its candidacy for European Union membership in June despite the global economic crisis …

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• 18 March

  Medvedev: Russian-Moldovan ties in good shape

  MOSCOW – Relations between Russia and Moldova are in good shape and Russia will not slow down the pace of development despite the current hard times, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday during a meeting with his Moldovan counterpart Vladimir Voronin. Relations between the two countries “have recently been …

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• 18 March

  Russia to test launch Angara carrier rocket in 2011

  MOSCOW – Russia’s new Angara carrier rocket will start test flights in 2011, the rocket’s developer said on Wednesday. The Angara, designed to place heavy payloads into orbit, is currently under development at the Khrunichev State Space Science and Production Center. “The work is going according to schedule. A light-class …

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• 18 March

  We expect Turkish entrepreneurs to purchase land in Georgia, agriculture minister

  Georgian Minister of Agriculture Bakur Kvezereli said Wednesday the most affordable agricultural land in the region is actually in Georgia. “One hectare (10,000 square metres) of agricultural land sells for 350-1000 USD in Georgia. We expect Turkish entrepreneurs to purchase land in Georgia,” Kvezereli said.

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• 18 March

  New Georgian UN envoy presents credentials to secretary general

  UNITED NATIONS – Georgia’s new permanent representative to the United Nations, Alexander Lomaya, has presented his credentials to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Lomaya has been in New York since the beginning of February, but until Tuesday’s official ceremony did not have the right to vote in the UN as a …

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• 18 March

  Romanian media slam plans to curb freedoms

  BUCHAREST, Romania: Media freedom groups criticized Romanian government plans that would allow people to sue for libel on behalf of the dead. The groups said draft legislation would limit press freedoms amid a continuing struggle between journalists and authorities since Romania threw off communism 20 years ago. Some journalists have …

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• 18 March

  Bulgaria to appoint EU experts to improve anti-corruption fight

  Sofia. The Bulgarian government and its board of international councellors, headed by former French premier Dominique de Villepin, said Wednesday they would call on EU experts to help the country fight corruption more effectively. “The proposal to reinforce cooperation with both the European Commission and with the member states by …

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• 18 March

  Bulgaria President Dissatisfied With EU Energy Aid

  Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has stated that he is not satisfied with the aid provided to Bulgaria within the framework of the EU energy package. Out of the total EU energy funding of EUR 3.5 B, Bulgaria is currently only entitled to EUR 10 M for the connection of its …

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