The issue of national identity is taken seriously by Balkan people – including the least serious among them.
Pahor Frustrated at Conference Absentees
| 20 March 2010
Slovenia’s Prime Minister Borut Pahor, one of the organisers of Saturday’s western Balkans conference, did not hide his dissatisfaction at the absence of some invitees from the region, Brussels and Madrid.
Brdo Conference Overshadowed by Absences
Brdo | 20 March 2010A conference, which aimed to present a common front in the region’s path towards EU integration, has been overshadowed by the boycott of the Serbian president, triggering the absence of major European politicians.
Tadic, Van Rompuy Won't Attend Regional Summit
Belgrade | 19 March 2010A regional conference scheduled for Saturday will go forward even though Serbian President Boris Tadic will not attend the event. There are also indications that the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, will not be present.
Balkan Economies Brace for Fallout from Greece Crisis
Tirana, Pristina, Skopje, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest, Sarajevo, Zagreb | 18 March 2010 | By Balkan Insight staff
Greece has been the economic motor of the region in recent years. As a result, its severe financial troubles hold consequences for several countries beyond its borders.
Bulgaria Gays Roused by Town ‘Ban’ on Parades
Sofia | 18 March 2010 | By Boryana Dzhambazova
LGBT rainbow flag
Little town in southern Bulgaria finds itself at the centre of a civil rights storm after city council says no to parades by ‘guys wearing thongs’.
Serb-Albanian Deadlock Keeps Bujanovac in Limbo
Bujanovac | 17 March 2010 | By Mukarrem Ameti
Bujanovac local assembly
There is no sign of a breakthrough in talks on establishing a multi-ethnic authority in the divided South Serbian town, though all agree that hopes of prosperity depend on a deal.
Gruevski Mulls Benefits of Snap Poll in Macedonia
Skopje | 15 March 2010 | By Sinisa-Jakov Marusic
Nikola Gruevski
Politically astute leader may decide to capitalise this year on his high popularity ratings – while the opposition remains weak – and so secure another four years in office.
Museum Brings Lost World of Albanian Communism Alive
By Besar Likmeta17 March 2010 A display of ordinary objects that Albanians have long since lost sight off aims to shed light on everyday life in the Communist era.
Privatisation offers new Hope for Serbia's Auto Industry
By Laura Wolfs18 March 2010 From 2000 onwards, the government took steps to split up the Zastava conglomerate, and prize its component companies away from the mothership and into private hands. For Zastava Automobili, now Fiat Serbia, things have turned out well. Others were not so lucky.
Lukic Cousins Symbol of Fear in Visegrad
By Nidzara Ahmetasevic17 March 2010 Convicted of burning 100 people alive, surviving victims of their many crimes are angry that prosecutors did not charge the Lukics over their rape camp, from which few women emerged alive.
