Showing posts with label Romania. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romania. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Kosovo PM: Independence not for Sale

Kosovo PM: Independence not for SaleBIRN - 19 hours ago30 10 2007 Pristina _ Kosovo’s Prime Minister Agim Ceku has said that Albanians will not consider any option that would freeze Kosovo’s political status in exchange for economic aid. “Nobody can cheat us by offering money instead of independence”, ...

Serbia Rejects German Model for KosovoBIRN - 16 hours agoBy Aleksandar Vasovic 30 10 2007 Belgrade _ Resolving the long-term status of Kosovo along the lines of an intra-German deal agreed in 1972 is unacceptable to Serbia, a minister said on Tuesday.

Corruption in way of reform in west BalkansFinancial Times - 11 hours agoBy Tony Barber in Brussels Corruption, organised crime and ethnic tensions are slowing reforms in the western Balkans, the European Commission says in a report that indicates near-term EU membership is unlikely for most countries in the region.

آكيBalkans: 'Serbian Orthodox Church to split' paramilitary group ...آكي - 14 hours agoBelgrade, 30 Oct. (AKI) - The commander of the paramilitary Tsar Lazar Guard organization, Hadzi Andrej Milic, on Tuesday predicted a split in the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC).

Nuclear ambitions fan controversy in BulgariaInternational Herald Tribune - 3 hours agoBy Matthew Brunwasser SOFIA: As governments around the world struggle to secure energy supplies, cut carbon emissions and adapt to rising oil prices, Bulgaria has adopted an ambitious solution: Construct a new nuclear power plant, the country's second, ...

Spiegel OnlineGreece to Probe Migrant Abuse ClaimsThe Associated Press - 8 hours agoATHENS, Greece (AP) - The government ordered an investigation Tuesday into claims that the Greek coast guard systematically mistreated illegal immigrants heading for the country's eastern islands.

A visit to Dracula's castle in RomaniaLos Angeles Times - 5 hours agoWhen I take my seat, a friend turns to me and says, "Bucovina is seeing Romania in Technicolor and Bucharest is seeing Romania in black and white." I press play on my iPod and look out the window. Red-tasseled horses draw wooden carts laden with ...

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.

Blogged with Flock

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.

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.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

1244 +

Photo
A Kosovo Albanian woman passes a garbage container sprayed with the number 1244, denoting the U.N. Security Council resolution that has governed Kosovo since the end of the 1998-99 war, in the Kosovo capital Pristina, Febuary 1, 2007. U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari will hand over his plan for the future of the breakaway Serbian province on Friday in Belgrade and Pristina. REUTERS/Hazir Reka (SERBIA)

Ahtisaari To Unveil Kosovo Plan To Belgrade And Pristina
Playfuls.com - 3 hours ago
During the Vienna talks, Serbia adamantly insisted on sovereignty over Kosovo, a territory dominated by an Albanian majority that has been intolerably hostile to Belgrade after its its heavy-handed rule.
US slams Serb leader's hard line on Kosovo Washington Post

Kosovo Railways can reach EU standards
ECIKS.org - 2 hours ago
Expert on railways, Bernard O’Donell, said that during his stay in Kosovo he saw that the railway infrastructure in Kosovo is in a very good state, but there are problems with financial means, maintenance and the lack of staff.

Kosovo government is disturbed by Vojislav Kostunica’s
Focus News - 3 hours ago
Kosovo’s government is disturbed by the statements coming from some parts of the Serbian political spectrum, which claim they are part of the democratic and reforming parties, the spokeswoman of the Cabinet in Pristina Ulpiana Lama said, cited by Radio ...

Kosovo ready to pay back foreign debts
ECIKS.org - 2 hours ago
It is estimated that Kosovo’s foreign debts are around €850 million. Officials of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce (KCC) and also economic experts said Kosovo should not pay these debts as long as it is not considered an equal member when it comes to ...

16000 returnees to Kosovo since 1999
B92 - 6 hours ago
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.

Albania and the EU: strong support, little understanding
Portalino - 8 hours ago
The results, it said, show confusion about where Albania stands in terms of its EU bid. While 49% believe Albania is ready to join, 24% think the country will be invited even if it is not fully ready.

Turkish FM to visit Albania on further development of bilateral ...
People's Daily Online - 17 hours ago
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will pay an official visit to Albania on Thursday for talks on further development of bilateral relations, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported on Wednesday.


Playfuls.com
Croatia Beat Spain To Qualify For Match For Fifth Place At Worlds
Playfuls.com - 1 hour ago
Inspired by their superstar Ivano Balic, Croatia overcame an early 7-5 deficit and paved the way to victory with a 16-12 halftime lead in Cologne.

Five French citizens arrested over card skimming scam in Greece
International Herald Tribune - 4 hours ago
THESSALONIKI, Greece: Five French citizens were arrested in northern Greece Thursday, accused of using stolen bank account data to withdraw more than €100000 (US$129500) in Greece, police sad. The five suspects and an unidentified accomplice, ...


Romano Vod'i
Public hearing for the condition of the Roma in Macedonia
Romano Vod'i - 3 hours ago
The Roma issue in Macedonia - lack of knowledge or lack of political will is a subject on the today’s public hearing which is held in the Assembly of Republic of Macedonia. According to the report of the European Roma Rights Centre and the National ...


Visit Montenegro
Montenegro leases Sveti Stefan
B92 - 4 hours ago
"The objective is to bring Sveti Stefan back to its former glory and pre-eminent position in the tourism industry in the Mediterranean," said Adrian Zecha of Amanresorts, who signed the deal with Montenegro's tourism and ecology minister, ...

US criticizes Serbia's threats to cut diplomatic ties in case of ...
International Herald Tribune - 4 hours ago
As its condition for joining Serbia's next government, the conservative Popular Coalition has demanded that the future Cabinet must reject Kosovo's independence and cut all ties with countries that recognize it as a separate country.


Aljazeera.net
War Crimes Court Prosecutor Urges EU to Keep Pressure on Serbia
Men's News Daily - 12 hours ago
Swiss lawyer Carla del Ponte, who is chief prosecutor of the UN war crimes tribunal, said Wednesday she is concerned the European Union might resume talks with Serbia before the leading fugitives from the Balkan wars have been arrested.
Del Ponte against EU Serbia talks MWC News

Come to Serbia - home to few people and Kazakh music
Reuters.uk - 32 minutes ago
The "Serbia - Moments to Remember" commercial was widely pilloried at home as being boring and misleading for showing Serbia as a land of rolling hills, churches and nature reserves full of wildlife, but apparently devoid of people.


Washington Post
Gates opens Microsoft support centre in Romania
Ireland Online - 38 minutes ago
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates inaugurated a technical support centre in Bucharest today, saying he was confident that Romania’s recent accession to the European Union would boost foreign investment and the country’s IT industry.
Piracy worked for us, Romania president tells Gates Washington Post

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.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Kosovo: impatience grows


Kosovo: impatience grows
Helsingin Sanomat - 23 minutes ago
With its plastic finger, the mannequin points at a transparent box one metre high containing maps and posters of Kosovo monasteries, as well as cartoons mocking the United Nations.

Kosovo: investments in waste management
ECIKS.org - 1 hour ago
Prishtina, 30 January 2007 - Four prestigious German and Swiss companies have expressed interest in building a company that recycles waste and turns it into energy in Kosovo. However, UNMIK ist delaying the decision to allow this investment.

Mojsiu calls UN to declare independence of Kosovo
Makfax - 17 minutes ago
"The wars that broke out in the wake of Yugoslavia's disintegration and the time Kosovo has spent under UN Administration confirms that the status should reflect the wish of the majority of Kosovo's population as well as the international community's ...

About that coal in Kosovo
Fistful of Euros - 3 hours ago
I say “over twenty years” because even back in the 1980s, the Kosovo coal fields were the ugly stepsister of Yugoslav energy.


Reuters AlertNet
Helping regardless of national affiliation in Kosovo
Reuters AlertNet - 6 hours ago
January 2007 saw the launch of two family strengthening programmes in Kosovo, located in the vicinity of SOS Children's Village Pristina.


Hовини.bg
RTK: Albania and Bulgaria Support Marti Ahtisaari’s
Focus News - 2 hours ago
Albania and Bulgaria confirmed their support for the plan of Marti Ahtisaari for the statute of Kosovo, RTK reports. The Prime Ministers of the two countries - Sali Berisa and Sergey Stanishev �-aid yesterday in Tirana that they support the decision ...


MRT online
Bulgaria Signs Deal for Danube Bridge
Houston Chronicle - 4 hours ago
SOFIA, Bulgaria - Bulgaria signed a euro100 million (about US$130 million) deal on Tuesday for a new bridge across the River Danube with Spanish construction company Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas SA.

Olive tree leaves spark frenzy in Greece, one dead
Khaleej Times - 12 minutes ago
Supermarkets on the oil-producing island of Crete and in Athens started stocking the leaves that, in some cases, cost more than the oil itself, which is renowned for its health benefits and known as liquid gold in Greece.

Ochrid Agreement is Macedonia’s Entrance Ticket for the EU: Jan ...
Focus News - 2 hours ago
‘The Ochrid agreement is the entrance ticked of Macedonia for the European Union. Ignoring and disregarding it could jeopardize the country’s membership in EU’, Jan Marinus Wiersma, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary faction of PES in the European ...

Rupel says Mladic's arrest is not prerequisite for EU-Serbia talks
Makfax - 43 minutes ago
European Union will not set Ratko Mladic's arrest as a precondition for resumption of stabilization and association negotiations with Serbia, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said. In an interview with weekly newspaper European Voice, ...

Deputy Charges Slovenia Police Over Gypsy
Romano Vod'i - 5 hours ago
Slovenia's ombudsman is charging police for unauthorized surveillance of reporters and a relocated Gypsy family, media said Wednesday.


Boston Globe
Hrant Dink: Turkey remembers
Café Babel - 5 hours ago
«‘Hrant was the perfect target for those who want to hinder the democratisation of Turkey and its entry into the European Union’, declared a reporter for Agos, the bilingual Turkish-Armenian weekly of which Hrant Dink was co-founder and editor in chief ...

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Elections, Elections



Playfuls.com
UN envoy poised to recommend ’provisional independence’ for Kosovo ...
Boston Herald - 3 hours ago
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Union officials and diplomats in Belgium expect a UN mediator to recommend limited sovereignty for Serbia’s breakaway province of Kosovo that could eventually lead to full independence for the region, a UN protectorate ...

US Seeks Pro-Europe Outcome for Serbia Election, Kosovo Ruling
Washington File - 51 minutes ago
Washington - The United States would like to see pro-European political parties defeat nationalists in Serbia’s elections January 21, which will be followed by an international decision on Kosovo’s future status, a senior US diplomat says.

Kosovo Government adopts agenda for EU partnership
ECIKS.org - 6 hours ago
Prishtina, 18 January 2007 - The Government of Kosovo adopted yesterday an action plan for European partnership, which foresees regular meetings of ministers to discuss the European integration agenda.

Nationalism on Balkans is like cheap alcohol: Fried
Makfax - 9 hours ago
Nationalism is like cheap alcohol, first it makes you drunk, then it makes you blind, then it kills you, said high-ranking US official Daniel Fried, on the occasion of the upcoming elections in Serbia.


Election campaign in Albania started
Makfax - 5 hours ago
The campaign for local elections in Albania to be held on 18 February officially started on Thursday. As reported by Makfax's correspondent, largest opposition and ruling parties are finishing their agreements with coalition partners.


Macedonia requested extradition of Cocorovska
Makfax - 9 hours ago
Necessary extradition documents were handed over to the Ministry of Justice of Serbia, in accordance with the Law on Criminal Procedure and provisions of the Agreement between Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro on legal assistance in civil ...

Montenegro joins the International Monetary Fund and World Bank
CBC News - 13 minutes ago
"Montenegro is claiming its place as a respected member of the global community of nations, and it is demonstrating its commitment to meet the responsibilities and reap the benefits of international cooperation," IMF chief Rodrigo de Rato said.


Voice of America
Serbia’s Fateful Choice
Council on Foreign Relations - 54 minutes ago
The endgame for Kosovo’s final status and, to some extent, the closing chapter on the late 20th-century’s Balkan wars, begins with Serbia’s parliamentary elections (ElectionGuide) on January 21. UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari is waiting until after ...
Fate of Kosovo looms large over Serbia election MSNBC
West urges Serbia to vote for European future Southeast European Times


Jurnalul National
Row threatens Romania coalition
BBC News - 5 hours ago
Romania is in the grip of a political storm as relations between President Traian Basescu and his prime minister hit rock bottom.


Angus Reid Global Monitor
The Turkey Question: The EU and the Concept of Borders
Brussels Journal - 1 hour ago
The acceptance speech made last Sunday by Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s Interior Minister and now Union pour un Mouvement Populaire presidential candidate, has attracted considerable attention for its references to Turkey’s European future.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Kosovo's president predicts decision on province's final status ...
International Herald Tribune - 8 hours ago
AP. PRISTINA, Serbia: Kosovo's president said Wednesday that he expects a decision on Kosovo's final status within months.


BOSNIA: SERB LEADER BLASTS MEP BALKANS DELEGATION HEAD
AKI - 8 hours ago
Sarajevo, 27 Dec. (AKI) - Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik has accused Euro-MP and chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for South-East Europe, Doris Pack, of being a "liar" and a "Serb hater," saying he doesn’t ever want to meet her.


Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia Sign Agreement on
Focus News - 7 hours ago
Sarajevo. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia have signed today an agreement on military cooperation, a month after Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a similar agreement with Serbia, AFP reported citing the country’s Ministry of Defense.


Playfuls.com
Macedonia Police Intercept Explosives
Playfuls.com - 7 hours ago
by News Staff. Macedonian police confiscated more than a pound of C-4 high explosives from a furloughed convict who was allegedly trying to take it into Greece.

SERBIA: KOSOVO AND EARLY ELECTIONS SEEN AS KEY TO COUNTRY'S FUTURE
AKI - 8 hours ago
Belgrade, 27 Dec. (AKI) - During the government of prime minister Vojislav Kostunica Serbia has for the past three years experienced a period of relative political stability and modest economic recovery.


With EU membership approaching, Romania enjoys an economic boom
Southeast European Times - 5 hours ago
Romania's national currency exceeded a six-year high this year, and the economy continues to expand at a robust rate. By Paul Ciocoiu for Southeast European Times in Bucharest - 27/12/06.


Slovenia Opens Labour Market for Bulgarians, Romanians
Sofia News Agency - 6 hours ago
Bulgaria: The Slovenian government decided to leave its labour market open for newcomers Bulgaria and Romania joining the EU next January.

Gerald Ford Dies at 93
KVBC - 49 minutes ago
Nevada leaders are remembering the legacy, and mourning the loss, of President Gerald Ford. They are calling him a devoted leader who led the country with dignity through one of its most turbulent times.
President Gerald Ford Dies at 93 Salem-News.Com
Gerald R. Ford: A Healer of Wounds Washington Post

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

What's next for Kosovo?

I hope you had a good Christmass. This article on Kosovo seems pretty good. Further we have some interesting news from the region. Plus, we have a new war in Africa.

What's next for Kosovo?

25/12/2006

With Belgrade and Pristina unable to bridge their differences over Kosovo's future, a decision on status is now up to the international community. That poses its own set of challenges.

By Robert C. Austin for Southeast European Times – 26/12/06

Regional stability in Southeast Europe depends ultimately on the resolution of Kosovo's status, a process which the UN Security Council formally launched in late 2005. Several rounds of talks under UN auspices were then held between Kosovo Albanian and Serbian representatives, in the hope that a solution acceptable to both sides could be reached. That hope has not borne fruit. The Kosovo Albanians want nothing less than statehood. The Serbian side, meanwhile, has stuck to its refrain of "more than autonomy but less than independence", though it remains unclear what this would amount to in practice. In October, Serbian voters approved a constitution which describes Kosovo as an integral part of the country. more



Playfuls.com
UN To End Kosovo Talks
Playfuls.com - 8 hours ago
by News Staff. There will be no further talks once a UN envoy announces his proposal for Serbia's mainly ethnic-Albanian Kosovo province, a media report said Tuesday.
What's next for Kosovo?Southeast European Times


Serb jailed 20 years for Kosovo war crimes
Earthtimes.org - Dec 25, 2006
BELGRADE, Serbia, Dec. 25 Serbia's high court upheld a 20-year jail sentence for a former Serbian police convicted of 1999 war crimes in Serbia's Kosovo province.


Vjesti: Joining the Western Balkans to the EU Will be Priority of ...
Focus News - Dec 24, 2006
Slovenia. Slovenia expects that Montenegro will receive a mandate for talks for EU membership at the beginning of the Slovenian EU Presidency in the first half of 2008, Rano Genorio, high-standing Slovenian ...


Albania hosts inter-border co-operation conference
Southeast European Times - 7 hours ago
The closer the ties with neighbouring countries, the shorter Albania's path to the EU will be, says Integration Minister Arenca Trashani.


OVERVIEW OF EU-CROATIA MEMBERSHIP TALKS IN 2006
Journal of Turkish Weekly - 16 hours ago
The most important event in the year 2006 regarding the relations between Croatia and the European Union was Brussels' decision to separate Croatia's membership talks from the process of Turkey's negotiations.



Playfuls.com
Christmas Eve Shooting In Croatia Leaves Four Dead
Playfuls.com - Dec 25, 2006
by News Staff. A Croatian man shot an killed three people on Sunday night and later took his own life in a town some 30 kilometres west of the capital of Zagreb.


FEATURE-Sex slavery plagues Romania and Bulgaria
Reuters AlertNet - 1 hour ago
(This is part of a package of stories ahead of Romania and Bulgaria's entry into the European Union on Jan. 1). By Justyna Pawlak.



Montenegro to introduce two official languages
Makfax - 16 hours ago
Montenegro's authorities are set to introduce changes to the Constitution, including official use of both Montenegrin and Serbian languages and refraining from treating the Church in the supreme state law.


Serbia drug seizures sparks killings
Earthtimes.org - 6 hours ago
NIS, Serbia, Dec. 26 Police said gang fighting is under way to control the drug market in the southern Serbian city of Nis, following seizures of 90 pounds of heroin this year.


50 euros for passing through Serbia
B92 - 9 hours ago
SOFIA -- Bulgaria's citizens will have to pay a fee of 5- euros when passing through Serbia, starting in January 1. Orlin Nikolov of the border police has told Bulgarian BNR radio that the Kalotina Border ...


Slovenia takes cautious approach in giant step to euro
Monsters and Critics.com - Dec 23, 2006
By Andrew McCathie Dec 24, 2006, 3:34 GMT. Berlin - The small ex-Yugoslavian republic of Slovenia is leaving nothing to chance as it prepares to become the first of the new European Union member states to join the euro on January 1.

Zaman Online


Finland to Open 'New Window' for Turkey's EU Bid
Zaman Online - 10 hours ago
By Cihan News Agency. Countries supporting Turkey in the European Union (EU) and the EU Commission have started an initiative to 'immediately open' eight suspended chapters in Turkey's EU talks if one of the ...
Turkey announces new EU accession strategy Southeast European Times



CBC News



War Returns to Horn of Africa
Zaman Online - 7 hours ago
By Foreign News Desk. Ethiopia’s war against the Somalia Islamic Courts Council (SICC) is a new chapter of violence and uncertainty in war-torn Somalia’s history.
1,000 dead in Somalia clashes RTE.ie
US signals support for Ethiopian attacks on Somali Islamists International Herald Tribune
Times Online - USA Today - Guardian Unlimited - People's Daily Online
all 2,180 news articles »