Showing posts with label Macedonia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Macedonia. Show all posts

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Bear convicted for theft of honey

Bear convicted for theft of honey
By Paddy Clark
BBC News

Honey bees
Temptation was too great for the bear
The taste of honey was just too tempting for a bear in Macedonia, which repeatedly raided a beekeeper's hives.

Now it has a criminal record after a court found it guilty of theft and criminal damage.

But there was an empty dock in the court in the city of Bitola and no handcuffed bear, which was convicted in its absence.

The case was brought by the exasperated beekeeper after a year of trying vainly to protect his beehives.

For a while, he kept the animal away by buying a generator, lighting up the area, and playing thumping Serbian turbo-folk music.

But when the generator ran out of power and the music fell silent, the bear was back and the honey was gone once more.

"It attacked the beehives again," said beekeeper Zoran Kiseloski.

Because the animal had no owner and belonged to a protected species, the court ordered the state to pay for the damage to the hives - around $3,500 (£1,750; 2,238 euros).

The bear, meanwhile, remains at large - somewhere in Macedonia.
BBC NEWS | Europe | Bear convicted for theft of honey

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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Kosovo's Thaci seeks independence timetable at EU



CTV.ca
Kosovo's Thaci seeks independence timetable at EU
Reuters - 2 hours ago
By Matt Robinson PRISTINA, Serbia, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci meets top European Union and NATO officials this week in the hope of securing a timetable for the province's independence from Serbia within the next two months.


AFP
Rice warns EU against dithering on Kosovo status
AFP - 1 hour ago
BERLIN (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sent a warning to European nations here Tuesday that there was a "danger" in delaying resolving the issue of Kosovo's status. "I don't think we have a gap with Europe on Kosovo.

'We all share the same heritage'
Scotsman - 16 hours ago
By SUE WILSON FOR most of us in this country, knowledge of the Balkans pretty much starts and ends with the conflict that wracked the region in the early 1990s, following the demise of Soviet-bloc Yugoslavia.

Italian firm to build power link with Albania
Economic Times - Jan 21, 2008
MILAN: Italian construction and energy firm Moncada Costruzioni plans to start this year building a 400-kilovolt power link with Albania to boost electricity imports to Italy. "We have received all necessary authorisations for building and starting up ...

Albania to Fight Grey Economy
BalkanInsight.com - 2 hours ago
Underlining the significance of introducing flat rate taxes at an exceptionally low rate at the beginning of the year, Berisha said on Monday that this was an important “welcome” sign for foreign investors in Albania. “We have increased incomes.

Albania to Build Major Wind Farm
BalkanInsight.com - 23 hours ago
21 January 2008 Tirana _ Albania is to host one of the biggest wind farms in Europe, according to plans announced by the Italian Moncada construction company.

Croatia bans smoking in public places; amends zero tolerance for ...
Southeast European Times - 1 hour ago
By Natasa Radic for Southeast European Times in Zagreb -- 22/01/08 One of the first actions by Croatia's new ruling coalition government earlier this month was to ban smoking in public places and to amend the zero tolerance alcohol policy for drivers ...


The Moscow Times
Russia and Bulgaria build South Stream
Courrier International - 2 hours ago
Russia and Bulgaria have signed the contract for building the South Stream gas pipeline, which is to pass through the Black Sea.


Peninsula On-line
Macedonia, Greece fail to resolve name dispute in fresh talks
Xinhua - 19 hours ago
21 (Xinhua) -- Macedonia and Greece demonstrated willingness but failed to resolve the two Balkan neighbor's differences over Macedonia's name following the fresh talks at the lakeside town of Ohrid on Monday, said reports reaching here from Macedonia.

Help.me, love.me: new registry for Montenegro domain
Heise Online - 5 hours ago
Montenegro's governmental council for the top level domain (ccTLD) .me has opted for a consortium of US registrar GoDaddy, Afilias, and the local ME-Net.


gibfocus.gi
Montenegro citizen arrested for 'practical joke' No 6 Bomb Hoax
gibfocus.gi - 12 minutes ago
A man from Montenegro has been arrested for a hoax phone call made to No 6 Convent Place two weeks ago stating there was a bomb on the Government premises.


CBS News
Serbia Agrees to Russian Pipeline Deal
The Associated Press - 4 hours ago
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia said Tuesday it had agreed to a multibillion dollar gas pipeline project as part of an energy deal with Russia that would boost Moscow's control over supplies to Europe.
Serbia agrees Gazprom energy deal BBC News
Serbia agrees to Russian pipeline deal BusinessWeek

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Kosovo Wants Independence


Kosovo Wants Independence
Wall Street Journal - 5 hours ago
By AGIM CEKU The Kosovo status process is reaching its natural conclusion. The present negotiations come to their appointed end on Dec. 10.


Albania Approves Hydro Plant
Houston Chronicle - 15 hours ago
2007 AP TIRANA, Albania - Albania's government approved a new hydroelectric plant project and an undersea grid connection with Italy on Wednesday, in deals worth 1.3 billion euros ($1.9 billion) and aimed at addressing acute power shortages in this ...


MANOWAR BACK IN BULGARIA IN DECEMBER 2007
Sofia Echo - 2 hours ago
Joey demaio and Eric Adams from legendary US metal band Manowar will visit Bulgaria again on December 1 2007. The two would come to Bulgaria for the world promotion Manowar’s DVD Magic Circle Festival Volume I, avtora.com said.


NATO expert team to visit Macedonia
MRT online - 35 minutes ago
NATO expert team, led by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Martin Erdman, will pay a two-day visit to Skopje on Thursday for talks with senior government officials.


Albany Times Union
Report: Disabled Kids Abused in Serbia
The Associated Press - 9 hours ago
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Troubled children bound tightly to fetid cribs they have never left since birth. A 6-year-old boy who tried to rip off his ear while tied to a chair.
Serbia's mentally disabled face "inhuman" treatment: rights group AFP
Disabled Serbians in Harsh Conditions TIME
Adnkronos International English - International Herald Tribune
all 212 news articles »


Xinhua
Brazil demolishes Serbia 3-0 at women's volleyball World Cup
Xinhua - 1 hour ago
15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil produced an outstanding performance to demolish Serbia 3-0 here on Thursday, moving one step closer to a top three finish at the World Cup and a berth in in Beijing Olympics.


SLOVENIA: Skis even stand by the cradles
Liverpool Daily Post - 11 hours ago
IF YOU’RE learning to ski, Slovenia is a great place to start, as the country seems to have the pastime in its blood. Having never hit the slopes before, I frequently observed youngsters who had barely learned to walk whizzing down with ease, ...

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Talks on Kosovo status resume in Brussels



Turkish Press
EU Kosovo mediator urges move on Serb visas
Reuters - 39 minutes ago
By Mark John BRUSSELS, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The European Union's mediator on Kosovo urged European states on Sunday to relax visa rules for Serbian travellers, arguing the move could help unlock talks with Belgrade on the future of its breakaway province ...
EU envoy urges Serbia, Kosovo to accelerate status talks AFP
Talks on Kosovo status resume in BrusselsXinhua


Swissinfo
Swiss heads tough OSCE Mission in Kosovo
Swissinfo - 3 hours ago
Kosovo is not an island and its future status can be decided only in partnership with the international community, says a Swiss diplomat.


Serbia's Kostunica: Kosovo will never be independent
Earthtimes - 14 minutes ago
Belgrade - Kosovo "will never be independent," Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said at a convention of his Democratic Party of Serbia Sunday in Belgrade.


Authorities condemn Czar Lazar Guard rally


Euronews.net
Kosovan negotiators set for more talks with Serbia
Euronews.net - 4 hours ago
A delegation from Kosovo has left Pristina airport for a face-to-face meeting with a delegation from Serbia, in Brussels. Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu said he was not expecting anything new from the meeting, insisting his side could not move from ...


AFP
Albania, Croatia, Macedonia Expect NATO Invitation in 2008
Voice of America - 6 hours ago
By VOA News Croatia's foreign minister says she expects her country, Albania, and Macedonia to be invited to join the NATO military alliance next April.
Albania, Croatia, Macedonia expect NATO invitation in 2008 AFP



Euro 2008 Albania Share The Points In Slovenia
Goal.com - 15 hours ago
Albania's luckless run in the Euro 2008 qualifiers continued in Celje as they couldn't take down an ambitious Slovenia side... Albania came to Slovenia with high hopes for a good result after the disappointment of near-misses against the likes of ...
Slovenia 0 Albania 0 Sportinglife.co.za


Javno.hr
Soccer: Croatia ends Israel's Euro hopes
Jerusalem Post - 12 hours ago
By ALLON SINAI Croatia ended any illusion Israel coach Dror Kashtan still had of guiding his side to Euro 2008, defeating the national team 1-0 at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb on Saturday night.
Eduardo goal gives Croatia 1-0 win over Israel Guardian Unlimited


Sofia News Agency
Bulgaria defends its Cyrillic spelling of 'euro'
AFP - 20 hours ago
SOFIA (AFP) - Bulgaria's bizarre linguistic row with the European Union over the spelling of the euro on Friday threatened to spike a pact Montenegro is due to sign with the bloc.


Goal.com
Greece edge past Bosnia, widen Group C lead
Guardian Unlimited - 14 hours ago
By Karolos Grohmann ATHENS, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Greece beat Bosnia 3-2 in a scrappy performance in their Euro 2008 Group C qualifier on Saturday, opening up a four-point lead over second-placed Turkey and edging closer to qualification.
Greece beats Bosnia 3-2 in Euro 2008 qualifier International Herald Tribune


Javno.hr
Goian helps Romania down Dutch
Sports Network - 14 hours ago
Constanta, Romania (Sports Network) - Romania took sole possession of the top spot in Group G on Saturday as Dorin Goian scored in the 71st minute to give his side a 1-0 win over the Netherlands at Stadionul Farul.


Yahoo! Eurosport
Euro 2008: Germany qualify, Poland, England and Romania take giant ...
Bangkok Post - 12 hours ago
Also taking a major step towards qualification where Poland, who beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in Warsaw, Scotland who won against Ukraine by the same score, England who had no problems in overcoming Estonia 3-0 and Romania who stunned the Dutch 1-0.
France and Italy battle for Euro 2008 places Guardian Unlimited
Germany first to advance to Euro 2008; Scotland, France, England ... The Canadian Press


Turkish Press
Turkey shells Iraq border areas amid incursion talk
AFP - 45 minutes ago
Wahid Kista, 42, who lives in the village of Kista near the Iraq-Turkey frontier, said by telephone the shelling was targeting villages in the Metin mountain area "where the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) has bases.

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Saturday, October 13, 2007

German peacekeepers could stay in independent Kosovo



Canada.com
Kosovo Teen Wants Family Back in Austria
The Associated Press - 9 hours ago
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Clutching a teddy bear, a 15-year-old Kosovo girl who had threatened to kill herself unless her family was reunited in Austria pleaded Friday for the return of her deported father and four siblings.


German peacekeepers could stay in independent Kosovo
The Post - 11 hours ago
BERLIN: A senior German politician said Berlin could keep its peacekeepers in Kosovo if the Serbian province unilaterally declared itself a sovereign state.


Business: Kosovo takes steps to join WTO
Southeast European Times - 18 hours ago
Kosovo's institutions have made a decision to begin talks on eventual WTO membership. Also this week: Fortune magazine débuts in Turkey.


Albania, Croatia, Macedonia get vote of confidence
Southeast European Times - 18 hours ago
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution calling on the Alliance to launch membership talks with Albania, Macedonia and Croatia in 2008, provided the necessary conditions have been met.


PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung)
Serbia puts up €1m reward for the capture of General Mladic
Independent - 10 hours ago
By Vesna Peric Zimonjic in Belgrade Serbia has put up a reward of €1m (£700000) for information leading to the arrest of the Bosnian Serb fugitive General Ratko Mladic.


Slovenia finds its way
Seattle Times - Oct 10, 2007
The country is Slovenia, whose population is not much greater than King County's. Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, thereby separating itself from the Bosnian war.

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Friday, February 09, 2007

UN to delay Kosovo talks to accommodate Serbs

Photo

Serbs attend a protest in the ethnically divided Kosovo town of Mitrovica February 9, 2007. The protest against U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari's plan on the future status of Kosovo was organised on Friday by the Serbian National Council of Northern Kosovo. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (SERBIA)

Photo

A Serb boy holds a plastic rifle during a protest in the ethnically divided Kosovo town of Mitrovica February 9, 2007. The protest against U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari's plan on the future status of Kosovo was organised on Friday by Serbian National Council of Northern Kosovo. REUTERS/Marko Djurica (SERBIA)

Photo

A Kosovo Serb carrying a box with a toy machine gun before a protest against the U.N. plan for the southern province, in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. Several thousand Serbs rallied in the tense northern city Friday to protest against a U.N. plan granting monitored statehood for the troubled province. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Kosovo police officers provide security in the ethnic Albanian half of Mitrovica, 25 miles north of the capital Pristina, February 9, 2007, as 10,000 Serbs across the river protest against a U.N. plan setting Kosovo on the path to independence from Serbia. REUTERS/Hazir Reka

Kosovo police officers provide security in the ethnic Albanian half of Mitrovica, 25 miles north of the capital Pristina, February 9, 2007, as 10,000 Serbs across the river protest against a U.N. plan setting Kosovo on the path to independence from Serbia. REUTERS/Hazir Reka

U.S. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, right, walks with U.S. independent Sen. Joe Lieberman after a meeting with Kosovo's Prime Minister Agim Ceku, unseen, in Pristina, Kosovo, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. Eight U.S. senators and Congress representatives visited Kosovo on Friday amid regional tensions over a U.N. plan that could give the Serbian province supervised statehood. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

U.S. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, right, walks with U.S. independent Sen. Joe Lieberman after a meeting with Kosovo's Prime Minister Agim Ceku, unseen, in Pristina, Kosovo, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. Eight U.S. senators and Congress representatives visited Kosovo on Friday amid regional tensions over a U.N. plan that could give the Serbian province supervised statehood. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)


UN to delay Kosovo talks to accommodate Serbs
Reuters AlertNet - 5 hours ago
PRISTINA, Serbia, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The United Nations will delay the start of final talks on the status of Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province by just over a week, UN deputy envoy Albert Rohan said on Friday. "A period of consultations will start on ...

Despite unresolved status, Kosovo makes strides towards integration
Southeast European Times - 1 hour ago
Since June 1999, the EU has earmarked over 1.6 billion euros for Kosovo. Now the Union is preparing to establish a mission to assist the province in dealing with organised crime, corruption and interethnic incidents.

Lieberman leads delegation of US lawmakers visiting Kosovo
WTNH - 45 minutes ago
(Pristina, Serbia-AP) _ Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman is leading a Congressional delegation today on a fact-finding mission in Kosovo. Eight US senators and representatives are visiting that Serbian province. The trip comes amid regional tensions ...


Romania, Croatia to sign oil pipeline Memorandum
HotNews.co - 5 hours ago
Romania and Croatia may sign this year a Memorandum for the Constanta - Trieste oil pipeline development, prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu, after meeting the Croatian homologue, Ivo Sanader.

EU warns Macedonia over entry
BBC News - 6 hours ago
One of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, he returned to his native Macedonia to lead ethnic Albanians in the 2001 revolt against government forces that took the country to the brink of civil war.
Albanians in Macedonia: “Rights Ignored” UNPO
EU urges Macedonia to step up reform People's Daily Online


EU ministers debate Serbia on Monday
B92 - 3 hours ago
Sources from the German EU presidency told reporters today that the Council of Ministers will consider the future of the EU relations with Serbia “in light of the fact reform-oriented forces won a clear majority in the recent elections”.

Romania's trade deficit widens by 44 percent in 2006 on higher imports
International Herald Tribune - 2 hours ago
BUCHAREST, Romania: Romania's trade deficit widened by over 44 percent in 2006 compared to last year to reach about €15 billion (US$20 billion), the country's National Statistics Institute said Friday.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

U.S. assures Russia on backing of Kosovo


Solana visits Pristina and Belgrade, says short delay in Kosovo ...
Southeast European Times - 51 minutes ago
A brief delay in the final round of UN-mediated talks on Kosovo's status would be acceptable to the EU, the bloc's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said on Wednesday (February 7th) in Pristina.

Kosovo: € 81 million for mobile license
ECIKS.org - 1 hour ago
This is the second time a second mobile phone operator is being announced in Kosovo. The first time the tender was annulled after interference by the head of UN Mission in Kosovo due to irregularities in the selection of the operator.

Draft-bill on backing Macedonia's, Albania's, Croatia's and ...
MRT online - 5 hours ago
A draft-bill backing Macedonia's, Albania's, Croatia's and Georgia's accepting into NATO, proposed by the Former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar has been presented at US Senate.

University students hold mass rallies across Greece
Monsters and Critics.com - 1 hour ago
Private tertiary education institutions are banned from operating in Greece and the conservative government believes the new law, allowing for the operation of private universities, would lead to greater competitiveness and higher educational standards ...


Macedonia and Bulgaria noted as participants in child pornography ...
Focus News - 30 minutes ago
The BETA agency cites information of the Austrian investigation authorities, according to which video recordings of children subjected to sexual harassment were confiscated from several countries including Macedonia. Other countries include Serbia, ...

Krivokapic says Montenegro lags behind because of Serbia
Makfax - 2 hours ago
"In the past 15 years, while being a part of a state union with Serbia, Montenegro had the worst period in its history - in terms of economy, politics and what is more important Montenegro was crippled as a state and as a society," Krivokapic said in ...

U.S. assures Russia on backing of Kosovo

By Nicholas Kralev
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
February 8, 2007


The United States has assured Russia that Washington's support for Kosovo's eventual independence from Serbia does not mean it will back the breakaway aspirations of Russian autonomous regions in the Caucasus, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said yesterday.
Moscow, in sympathy with Belgrade, has been reluctant to join American and European endorsements of a plan proposed by U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari that would lead to independence for Kosovo in all but name.
"I have talked very often to the Russians, first of all, that Kosovo is a precedent for nothing, which is a very important point to make," Miss Rice told the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in reference to Moscow's fear that Kosovo's independence might encourage separatist forces in Russian regions such as Chechnya and North Ossetia.
"We need to recognize that the longer this drags out, the more likely we are to have a breakdown in order in Kosovo itself," the secretary said during testimony on President Bush's fiscal 2008 foreign affairs budget proposal. "We believe that the Ahtisaari plan deserves support."
Kosovo has been a U.N. protectorate since the 1999 NATO war with Serbia over President Slobodan Milosevic's policies in the province, which led to "ethnic cleansing" targeting Kosovo's majority Albanian population.
Mr. Ahtisaari, a former Finnish president, heads a yearlong process whose last phase is a round of talks with Serbs and Kosovo's leaders. He has invited both sides to meet in Vienna, Austria, next week.
But Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica asked yesterday for a 10-day delay to convene the country's new parliament elected last month. He said the legislature must choose a new Kosovo negotiating team to guarantee its credibility.
Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief, met with Mr. Kostunica in Belgrade yesterday and said a brief delay would be acceptable.
Nevertheless, Mr. Kostunica indicated that Serbia will not agree to independence for Kosovo.
"Serbia will be constructive, but it will also be unbending in its efforts to ensure respect ... for its territorial integrity," he said at a press conference.
Russia, a traditional Serbian ally whose position is that a solution should not be imposed on Serbia, has said that Belgrade should be "constructive."
Miss Rice noted NATO's inclusion of Serbia in its Partnership for Peace program, which could lead to eventual membership in the alliance.
"We don't want a revanchist and angry Serbia," she said. "So we are working with our European allies to make sure that Serbia understands that it belongs in Europe."
But Kosovar Albanians have warned that their patience is running out. They blame the eight-year political limbo for a stagnant economy and an unemployment rate of 50 percent.
Both Miss Rice and Mr. Solana urged Kosovo to step up to the task of building democratic institutions.
"The Kosovars have a responsibility, too, to protect minority rights, to make certain that Serbs feel that they can really live there," Miss Rice said. "We are having equally difficult and tough, sometimes, discussions with the Kosovo Albanians about their responsibilities."

U.S. assures Russia on backing of Kosovo - World - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper


Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Kosovo’s economic growth rate is 5%

Photo

U.S envoy to Kosovo Frank Wisner speaks and gestures during a press conference after talks with Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, in Belgrade, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007. Wisner's visit is part of stepped up diplomatic activity following the presentation last week of the plan for Kosovo drafted by the U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbia awaits word on plea for Kosovo delay

Reuters AlertNet - 1 hour ago
BELGRADE, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Serbia was still hoping major powers would delay final talks on a United Nations plan for the eventual independence of its Kosovo province, despite a US envoy's refusal to be drawn on its request on Tuesday.


ECIKS.org
Ruecker: Kosovo’s economic growth rate is 5%
ECIKS.org - 4 hours ago
Prishtina, 6 February 2007 - UNMIK chief Joachim Rücker has told BBC that as both Serbia and Kosovo aspire to become part of the European Union, they will seriously consider the strong encouragement by the European Union to engage in consultations with ...

Albania, Bulgaria appeal to EU to allow the reopening of nuclear ...
Southeast European Times - 4 hours ago
"Bulgaria doesn't have the capacity to help Albania if the two units remain closed," Stanishev said. "The impacts of reactors' closure will be seen not only in Albania, but also in the other neighbouring countries. I think the countries of the region ...
Bulgaria to Get EUR 450 M for Wild Life Preservation
Sofia News Agency - 54 minutes ago
Bulgaria: In the next seven years Bulgaria will receive over EUR 450 M from the European Union for the preservation of country's wild life.

Greece won't hinder Macedonia's EU, NATO bid
Makfax - 6 hours ago
Greece, however, spelled out its only condition - Macedonia to be referred to as FYROM in all documents, Ta Nea daily said, adding that this strategy was agreed at a closed-door meeting in the Greek Foreign Ministry, focusing on name dispute with ...

Macedonia police arrest Serb murder, kidnapping suspect sought by ...
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
SKOPJE, Macedonia: Macedonian police have arrested a Serbian man sought by Interpol and suspected of murder, kidnapping and robberies in Belgium, officials said Monday.

Rosemary diCarlo: we stand behind Macedonia's membership in NATO
Makfax - 2 hours ago
The United States of America supports fully Macedonia's accession to NATO, once the country completes the process of standards fulfilling in a year's time.


Playfuls.com
Lindh killer's Serbia move rejected
Ireland Online - 1 hour ago
The Swedish Prison and Probation Service said it turned down Mijailo Mijailovic’s request because authorities in Belgrade could not specify how long his prison term would be in Serbia. Mijailovic, 28, is serving a life sentence at the Kumla prison in ...

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Kosovo independent during summer 2007

Photo




A Kosovo Albanian woman enjoys a sunny day in southern town of Prizren, January 2007. Belgrade was seeking a new strategy after admitting that a United Nations plan for Kosovo paved the way for the province's independence, against the will of the Serbian government.(AFP/File/Dimitar Dilkoff)

Macedonia Gives Thumbs Up To UN Kosovo Plan
All Headline News - 3 hours ago
Skopje, Macedonia (AHN) - Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Saturday that the United Nations plan for Kosovo was acceptable to the Macedonian government.


UNMIK Head: Marti Ahtisaari’s Proposal on Kosovo is
Focus News - 55 minutes ago
The Head of the UN mission in Kosovo /UNMIK/ Joachim Rücker said the proposal on the statute of Kosovo, presented by the UN Special Envoy Marti Ahtisaari was a very important step, Makfax reports.


Kosovo independent during summer 2007”
B92 - 4 hours ago
Koha Ditore reports that Belgrade and Priština will be asked to attend the general discussion on the future Kosovo status in Vienna on February 13, and to consider the first two annexes of the draft proposal on the same day.


Turmoil and bloodshed do not threaten Kosovo: political scientist
Focus News - 10 hours ago
Turmoil and bloodshed do not threaten Kosovo, the political scientist Anton Panchev said in an interview for Focus Agency. Panchev, who is currently working on his dissertation on the Albanian political system and have been specializing in the ...


Austrian Mobilkom set to become Macedonia's third mobile operator
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
SKOPJE, Macedonia: Macedonia announced Sunday that it has selected Austria's Mobilkom as the Balkan nation's third mobile operator.


The Observer Blog
Serbia's foreign minister says Belgrade should insist on its right ...
International Herald Tribune - 5 hours ago
Vuk Draskovic said in an interview on B92 Television that Serbia should lodge complaints with the United Nations to demand changes to the proposal drafted by UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari.
Serbia should work out proposals for amendments to Focus News
Ethnic Albanians say UN plan backs independence, Serbia warns of ... San Diego Union Tribune
Reuters.uk - France24
all 653 news articles »

Germany heads EU mission to Russia, Ukraine and Serbia
Monsters and Critics.com - 2 hours ago
UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari presented a blueprint for Kosovo's future on Friday, but Moscow has said it will only endorse a plan in the Security Council if it meets with Serbia's approval. Taking part with Steinmeier in the talks is EU foreign ...


AlaskaReport
EU newcomer Romania expects wave of immigration from Moldova
Monsters and Critics.com - 3 hours ago
Bucharest - Romanian President Traian Basescu said in an interview broadcast Sunday that he expects a wave of potential immigrants from neighbouring Moldova as a result of Romania's recent accession to the European Union. In the interview on Romania's ...
Piracy helped us, Romania tells Gates IT Week
Romania president tells Gates that piracy is good TG Daily
Guardian Unlimited - Foreign Policy (subscription)
all 38 news articles »


Playfuls.com
Romania’s Foreign Affairs Minister To Submit His Resignation Monday
Mediafax - 2 hours ago
Mihai Ungureanu said Sunday in a press conference that he would submit his resignation from the position of Romania’s foreign affairs minister on Monday, January 5, 2007.

Slovenia: AI condemns forcible return of “erased”
B92 - 1 hour ago
Amnesty International is concerned that the Slovenian authorities have not restored retroactively the status of permanent residents of those "erased" in 1992 and, in this case, have deported from Slovenia one of them, with his family.


BBC News
Turkey killer video sparks fears of state collusion
Reuters AlertNet - 8 hours ago
ANKARA, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Video footage of a self-confessed murderer striking a heroic pose alongside security force members after his arrest for the killing of a Turkish Armenian editor has revived fears in Turkey of a shadowy state within a state.

Turkey’s EU Membership Process: Short Term Problems and Long Term ...
ABHaber - 29 minutes ago
Turkey faces a momentous time and challenges in its increasingly complex and frustrating (for both sides) accession negotiations with the EU.

Saturday, February 03, 2007

US Urges Support for UN Kosovo Plan

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, right, talks on a news conference following his meeting with Kosovo's oppositional leader Hashim Thaci, left, in Macedonia's capital Skopje, Saturday, Feb.

Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, right, talks on a news conference following his meeting with Kosovo's oppositional leader Hashim Thaci, left, in Macedonia's capital Skopje, Saturday, Feb.

UN Kosovo plan shows deep fault lines
Houston Chronicle - 1 hour ago
UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari presented his proposal on Friday to officials in Belgrade and to ethnic Albanian leaders in Kosovo. The plan, which must be approved by the Security Council, spelled out conditions for internationally supervised self-rule for ...
Serbian leaders close ranks after UN envoy proposes self-rule for ... International Herald Tribune
UN Kosovo Plan Shows Deep Fault Lines Washington Post

US Urges Support for UN Kosovo Plan
HULIQ - 3 hours ago
The United States Friday called the newly released Kosovo settlement plan of UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari fair and balanced, and urged authorities in both Serbia and Kosovo to work toward a final settlement. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is ...


B92
BALKANS: FOCUS - FEW MOURN UN CHIEF PROSECUTOR DEL PONTE'S EXIT
AKI - Feb 2, 2007
Belgrade, 2 Feb. (AKI) - Politicians, commentators and people in the street from the countries of the former Yugoslavia had no kind words on Friday for the departing chief prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former ...


Albania backs UN envoy's plan on Kosovo
People's Daily Online - 13 hours ago
Ethnic Albanians, who make up 90 percent of Kosovo's population, are demanding independence, while Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo want it to remain inside Serbia.
Balkan jigsaw seeks final piece BBC News
Kosovo says Yes to UN plan, Serbia says No Reuters


Playfuls.com
Bulgaria ,France decide to establish strategic relationship
People's Daily Online - 16 hours ago
Bulgaria and France will be not only good friends, but also strategic partners in the European Union ( EU), Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev told a news conference held jointly with French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Friday, ...


5.8 magnitude quake jolts southern Greece
International Herald Tribune - 3 hours ago
ATHENS, Greece: A 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled southern Greece on Saturday, the Athens Geodynamic Institute reported.


Macedonia backs Kosovo blueprint, defying Serbia
Reuters AlertNet - 3 hours ago
Macedonia has a large Albanian minority -- roughly 25 percent out of a population of 2 million -- and is anxious to avoid fresh instability in Kosovo that might spill across their joint border.


B92
Del Ponte Opposes New EU Talks with Serbia
Institute for War and Peace Reporting - 21 hours ago
But several states - including Spain, Hungary and Slovenia - have said in recent weeks that the EU must not isolate Serbia, especially since Belgrade's cooperation will be crucial in ensuring a peaceful deal on the final status of Kosovo.

Slovenia: Amnesty International condemns forcible return of ...
Amnesty International USA - Feb 2, 2007
Amnesty International is concerned that the Slovenian authorities have not restored retroactively the status of permanent residents of those "erased" in 1992 and, in this case, have deported from Slovenia one of them, with his family.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Kosovo welcomes the future

An ethnic Albanian worker puts up a billboard in Pristina reading in Albanian

An ethnic Albanian worker puts up a billboard in Pristina reading in Albanian "12:45 Kosovo welcomes the future" on Tuesday, Jan.

"Secret" U.N. Kosovo plan surfaces ahead of schedule Open this result in new window

Reuters via Yahoo! News - 1 hour, 44 minutes ago

The Kosovo daily Lajm left four pages of its morning edition blank on Wednesday, saying it was told not to publish the text of a confidential United Nations plan for Serbia's breakaway province.

Serbian PM threatens EU, NATO over Kosovo Open this result in new window

UPI - 2 hours, 1 minute ago

BELGRADE, Serbia, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Serbia's outgoing prime minister is threatening to sever ties with countries that would recognize independence of the mainly ethnic-Albanian Kosovo

province.

B92
SERBIA: KOSOVO STATUS SNARES TALKS ON NEW GOVERNMENT
AKI - 33 minutes ago
(AKI) - The status of Serbia's breakaway Kosovo province, has become a key issue in the inter-party negotiations that are underway over the formation of new government after the 21 January general election in which no party won an absolute majority of ...

Kosovo: Facilitating sustainable return
ReliefWeb (press release) - 51 minutes ago
PRISTINA - More than 16100 displaced persons of ethnic minority communities have gradually returned since 1999 to villages and towns within Kosovo, either spontaneously or facilitated by UNMIK, UNHCR and other international and local institutions.


Playfuls.com
Serbian PM Threatens EU, NATO Over Kosovo
Playfuls.com - 9 minutes ago
Kostunica's party said a new coalition government should declare null and void a decision by any state or international organization, which recognizes the province of Kosovo independent of Belgrade. The recognition of Kosovo's independence by any NATO ...


B92
Kosovo awaits Ahtisaari
B92 - 7 hours ago
KFOR Commander Roland Kather and Kosovo Prime Minister Agim Ceku appealed to the heads of Kosovo municipalities to communicate to their citizens the necessity of preserving peace in Kosovo, and to advise them to refrain from any form of violence as ...

Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania Ink Convention on Trans-Balkan Oil ...
Sofia News Agency - 6 hours ago
This is the beginning of the project's realization for the construction of an oil pipeline from Bulgaria's seaside city Burgas and Albania's city Vlora. The pipeline will transport the Caspian oil to West Europe and the US.

Croatia, Montenegro seek to boost ties
Southeast European Times - 1 hour ago
"Though Croatia successfully defended its territory, it is also well known that a great majority of Montenegrins criticised the aggression of Montenegrin soldiers in Croatia in the 1990s," he said. "Moreover, the Croatian government is fully prepared ...

Greece, Italy Sign Gas Pipeline Deal
Forbes - 11 minutes ago
The completed project would connect with a Turkish-Greek pipeline now being built between Karacabey, Turkey and Komotini in Greece, which should be operational by June 2007, Sioufas said. Officials hope the completed Turkey-Greece-Italy link - the ...


Pravda
Brussels Leaves Macedonia In The Dark On EU Entry Talks
Mediafax - 49 minutes ago
The European Commission says it is too early to set a start date for Macedonia''s EU entry talks, despite Slovenia dropping hints that its EU presidency - in the first half of 2008 - could see Skopje get a firm timetable for negotiations, ...


AKI
Del Ponte urges EU to stick to tough conditions over Serbia talks
International Herald Tribune - 3 hours ago
BRUSSELS, Belgium: The chief prosecutor of the UN war crimes tribunal, Carla Del Ponte, said Wednesday she was worried the European Union might resume talks on a pre-membership agreement with Serbia before a fugitive leader from the Bosnian war is ...


Alarab online
Turkey charges seventh man over Dink murder
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey charged a seventh man over the murder of Turkish-Armenian editor Hrant Dink on Wednesday, a court official said.