New Remains Discovered in Albania Mass Grave

Tirana | 08 February 2010 | By Gjergj Erebara

Criminologists probing a communist execution site find new remains, while Albania’s prime minister describes the discovery as “shocking” and calls for the creation of an institute that will seek to find the graves of thousands of others still missing.

Albanian Leaders to Hold Crisis Talks

Tirana | 09 February 2010 |

Albanian President Bamir Topi announced in a statement on Tuesday that he has called for talks to be held between the ruling and opposition leaders on February 13 in an effort to solve the country's ongoing political crisis.

Macedonia, Albania Discuss Corridor 8

| 09 February 2010 |

The key project that can contribute to further cooperation between Albania and Macedonia is the continued construction of the east-west European road and rail network, the countries' foreign ministers concluded Monday at a meeting in Tirana.

Investigation: Son's Search For Father Uncovers Albanian Mass Grave

Tirana | 08 February 2010 | By Gjergj Erebara

Years after the collapse of the Stalinist regime, many families of Albanians executed by the communists are still desperately looking for the bodies of their relatives.

Albania Press Review - February 9

Tirana | 09 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Albania’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy

Macedonian FM Visits Albania

Skopje | 08 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki is travelling to Tirana today at the invitation of his Albanian counterpart, Ilir Meta.

Albania: Anti-Smuggling Measure Extended

Tirana | 05 February 2010 |

Albania’s parliament has extended the country’s moratorium on the use of speedboats along its coast for another three years. The moratorium is part of an effort to thwart illegal smuggling.

Albania Press Review - February 8

Tirana | 08 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Albania’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy

Bosnian Serb Parliament to Discuss Referendum

Sarajevo | 09 February 2010 |

The parliament of Bosnia's Serb dominated entity, Republika Srpska, will hold a special session on Tuesday to discuss a draft law on referendum in defiance of repeated calls by the international community against the move.

Bosnia, Croatia to Sign Extradition Agreement

| 09 February 2010 |

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will sign an agreement on extradition on February 10 that could prevent convicted criminals from escaping justice.

Bosnia: Three Acquitted on War Crimes Charges

| 09 February 2010 |

The Appellate Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed the first instance verdict sentencing Mladen Blagojevic to seven years in prison for inhumane acts and acquitting Zdravko Bozic, Zoran Zivanovic and Zeljko Zaric on war crimes charges.

Sarajevo Embittered by Courts’ Silence Over Markale Massacre

sarajevo, bosnia, massacre | 05 February 2010 | By Dalio Sijah

Only one person has ever faced justice for the horrific bombardment of the Markale market place 16 years ago – and many people want to know why.

Bosnia Press Review - February 09

Sarajevo | 09 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Bosnia and Herzegovina's main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Bosnia: Courage Award for Montenegro Officer

| 08 February 2010 |

GARIWO, a Bosnian nongovernmental organization, will award a former policeman from Montenegro as a champion of civil courage.

Bosnian Teen Fakes Robbery, Gets Dad Fined

Sarajevo | 08 February 2010 |

After going on a spending spree with his dad's money, a 17-year-old Bosnian boy went to police to report that he had been robbed while driving his family car, forgetting that he did not even have a drivers' license, police said on Monday.

Bosnia Press Review - February 08

Sarajevo | 08 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Bosnia and Herzegovina's main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy

Georgieva, Ciolos Approved with New Commission

| 09 February 2010 |

The European Parliament has approved the new European Commission at its session in Strasbourg. Kristalina Georgieva and Dacian Ciolos are the new commissioners from Bulgaria and Romania, respectively.

Bulgaria Criticized over Minority Rights

Bulgaria, minority rights, Council of Europe | 09 February 2010 |

Bulgaria is failing to fully uphold minority and children’s rights, according to a new report released today.

 

Bulgaria Covered in Snow

| 08 February 2010 |

Bulgaria emerged completely snowbound on Monday, as excessive snowfall is reported across the country, Bulgarian media reported.

Sofia: Five-Year Ban on GMOs to Be Proposed

| 08 February 2010 |

Following the wave of protests against a bill of amendments that would allow genetically-modified organisms (GMO) to be grown in Bulgaria, the country's ruling party announced on Friday that it would propose a five-year ban on all genetically-modified cultures in the country, the Sofia Echo reported.

Bulgaria Police Least Trusted in EU

| 05 February 2010 |

Bulgaria has the least trusted and transparent police force in the European Union, a recent report by Deutsche Welle reveals.

Greek Bulgaria Border Blocked for Lorries

| 04 February 2010 |

The Sofia Echo reports that all border crossings between Greece and Bulgaria, with the exception of Zlatograd, are currently blocked. The Zlatograd crossing point remains open but cannot be used by lorries. 

Bulgaria’s Georgieva Quizzed in EP

Sofia | 04 February 2010 |

Bulgaria's new EC commissioner designate responsible for international co-operation, humanitarian aid and crisis response, Kristalina Georgieva, seemed to impress her inquisitors in the EU Parliament during her confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

Bulgaria Nominee Faces European Parliament

| 03 February 2010 |

Bulgaria's nominee for European Commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, goes before a European Parliament hearing today as part of her nomination process.

Bosnia, Croatia to Sign Extradition Agreement

| 09 February 2010 |

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia will sign an agreement on extradition on February 10 that could prevent convicted criminals from escaping justice.

Croatia: €30 Million for Tourism Promotion

| 08 February 2010 |

Croatia’s Ministry of Tourism plans to spend €30 million to promote tourism in 2010.

 

Croatian People's Party Leader to Stay in Politics

| 05 February 2010 |

Radimir Cacic, leader of the Croatian People’s Party, HNS, said he plans to remain party leader despite his involvement is a recent car crash that resulted in two deaths, the Croatian Times reports.

 

New Hague Indictment Against Seselj

| 05 February 2010 |

The Hague Prosecution has filed a new indictment against Vojislav Seselj for contempt of the Tribunal.

Trial of RS Krajina Soldiers Continues

| 04 February 2010 |

The trial of Pani Bulat and Rade Vranesevic, former Republika Srpska Krajina soldiers charged with the murder of six Croat civilians, will continue on Friday in Belgrade.

Croatia PM Calls for Better Relations with Serbia

Belgrade | 04 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor has announced that relations between Serbia and Croatia must turn towards the future.

Croatian Seamstress Fined $5.72 Million

Zagreb | 03 February 2010 |

A retired seamstress from Croatia’s southern town Omis has been ordered to pay a $5.72 million (about €4 million) penalty by a federal judge in the US.

47 Paintings Missing from Croatian Embassies

| 03 February 2010 |

Several valuable items have gone missing from Croatian embassies, including 47 paintings.

 

Thaci Asks ISG to Support Strategy for Kosovo North

Pristina | 08 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Kosovo’s PM Hashim Thaci told political directors of the foreign ministries of the 25 member states of the International Steering Group, ISG, that the strategy for northern Kosovo is above all crucial for improving the lives of the people who reside there.

Kosovo Press Review - February 9

Pristina | 09 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Kosovo: 500 Workers Protest at Dubrava Prison

Pristina | 08 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Kosovo Press Review - February 8

Pristina | 08 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Feith: 'New Beginning' for Mitrovica

Pristina | 05 February 2010 | Lawrence Marzouk

The International Civilian Representative in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, has said the appointment of a team to create a new Serb-majority municipality in the divided city of Mitrovica could herald a 'new beginning'.

Kosovo Press Review - February 5

Pristina | 05 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Kosovo: Supreme Court Says No Rerun in Gjilan

Pristina | 04 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Balkans ‘Biggest Threat’ to European Stability

Pristina | 03 February 2010 | Lawrence Marzouk

The Balkans will remain the biggest threat to Europe’s stability in 2010, according to the US Director of National Intelligence.

Skopje: UN “Name” Mediator Arrives February 23

Skopje | 09 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

The UN envoy in the Athens-Skopje “name” dispute, Matthew Nimetz, will pay a visit to Skopje for a fresh round of talks with Macedonian leaders on February 23.

Macedonia 'Coming Out' of Recession

Skopje | 09 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

The Macedonian economy will come out of recession in the first quarter of 2010, Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski said in a statement.

Macedonia, Albania Discuss Corridor 8

| 09 February 2010 |

The key project that can contribute to further cooperation between Albania and Macedonia is the continued construction of the east-west European road and rail network, the countries' foreign ministers concluded Monday at a meeting in Tirana.

Macedonia Press Review – February 9

Skopje | 09 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

Here are the top stories in Macedonia’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Macedonia Committed to EU and NATO Future

Skopje | 08 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

There is no alternative to Macedonia's EU and NATO future, Macedonian President Georgi Ivanov said Sunday after the completion of the Munich Security Conference.

Macedonian FM Visits Albania

Skopje | 08 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki is travelling to Tirana today at the invitation of his Albanian counterpart, Ilir Meta.

Skopje's Controversial Revamp Plan Presented

Skopje | 05 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

To public reaction ranging from exaltation to resentful disbelief, the authorities finally revealed the video animation footage of the ongoing state-funded project to revamp the Skopje downtown area.

Macedonia Press Review – February 8

Skopje | 08 February 2010 | Sinisa-Jakov Marusic

Here are the top stories in Macedonia’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

12 Detained in Montenegro Drug Bust

Podgorica | 09 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Montenegrin police have seized a shipment of 100 kilograms of drugs and detained 12 people suspected of having participated in the smuggling of the illegal goods.

Fire Ravages Business Centre in Montenegro

Podgorica | 08 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

The business centre "Evropa", located in the Montenegrin town of Berane and home to three university faculties, was completely burnt in a fire on Sunday morning.

Bosnia: Courage Award for Montenegro Officer

| 08 February 2010 |

GARIWO, a Bosnian nongovernmental organization, will award a former policeman from Montenegro as a champion of civil courage.

Serbia, Montenegro Relations Turn 'New Page'

Belgrade | 05 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic has welcomed Serbia's decision to turn a new page in its relations with Montenegro.

Serbia Wants to Turn New Page with Montenegro

Belgrade | 26 January 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Serbia is ready to turn a new page in its relations with Montenegro, after relations between the two countries worsened following Podgorica's decision to establish diplomatic links with Kosovo.

US Supports Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic Integratioon

Podgorica | 22 January 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has expressed her country's support for Montenegro's Euro-Atlantic integration.

Balkans Becoming Economically Freer, Says Index

| 21 January 2010 | By Sabina Niksic

Albania has region’s freest economy, Bosnia the least free, while Bulgaria is sole country in region whose score has dropped.

Runaway Hippo Back in Montenegro Zoo

Podgorica | 21 January 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

After ten days of roaming, a female hippopotamus called Nikica is back in her house in Podgorica's zoo.

Georgieva, Ciolos Approved with New Commission

| 09 February 2010 |

The European Parliament has approved the new European Commission at its session in Strasbourg. Kristalina Georgieva and Dacian Ciolos are the new commissioners from Bulgaria and Romania, respectively.

Romania: MP's Immunity to Be Stripped Again

Romania, corruption | 09 February 2010 |

Prosecutors from the Romanian National Anticorruption Department on Tuesday asked for the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of Monica Iacob Ridzi, Romania's former youth and sports minister.

Romania Press Review – February 9

| 09 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Romania’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Romania Unemployment Climbs Further

Bucharest | 08 February 2010 |

Romania's jobless rate almost doubled in January compared with a year before, hitting 8.1 per cent according to data released by the National Statistical Institute.

Romania PM Urges Ban on Psychedelic Plants

| 30 November -1 |

Prime Minister Emil Boc on Friday urged the Health Ministry to quickly complete a law banning the consumption of psychedelic plants, which in Romania is unregulated and has caused the death of many teenagers, according to the premier.

Romania Press Review – February 5

| 05 February 2010 |

Here are the top stories in Romania’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Romania Agrees to US Antimissile Shield

Bucharest | 04 February 2010 |

Romania's Supreme Defence Council, CSAT, on Thursday approved a plan backed by the United States to host “terrestrial interceptors” on its soil as part of a antimissile shield designed to protect Western Europe.

Romania Central Bank Cuts Rates

Bucharest | 03 February 2010 |

Romania’s central bank, BNR, on Wednesday cut its key rate by 50 basis points to 7 per cent, the lowest level in more than two years, but kept the minimum reserve requirements unchanged.

Serbian Officials Report Assets in Anticorruption Measure

Belgrade | 09 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Zorana Markovic, the director of Serbia's Anti-Corruption Agency, has announced that more than 95 per cent of state officials have fulfilled their obligation to submit reports on their assets.

Belgrade Has Lowest Real Estate Prices in Region

Belgrade | 09 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Serbia's capital has the lowest prices for renting apartments and offices in the region, a recent study shows.

Serbia Has 'Illusions' on EU Accession Date

Belgrade | 09 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Even though recent polls suggest that almost half the Serbian population believe their country will join the EU in less than five years, a WAZ.EUobserver article claims that Serbia has unrealistic expectations about the speed of its EU integration.

Thaci Asks ISG to Support Strategy for Kosovo North

Pristina | 08 February 2010 | Petrit Collaku

Kosovo’s PM Hashim Thaci told political directors of the foreign ministries of the 25 member states of the International Steering Group, ISG, that the strategy for northern Kosovo is above all crucial for improving the lives of the people who reside there.

Serbia Press Review - February 9

Belgrade | 09 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Here are the top stories in Serbia’s main newspapers. Balkan Insight has not verified the reports and cannot vouch for their accuracy.

Zarko Lausevic to Appear Before US Court

Belgrade | 08 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

Popular Serbian/Montenegrin actor Zarko Lausevic will appear before a New York court which will decide whether to allow him to stay in the United States and under which conditions.

IMF Mission Arrives in Belgrade

Belgrade | 08 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund has arrived in Belgrade to continue talks regarding the third revision of its stand-by arrangement with Serbia.

US: Serbia's Door to NATO is Open

Belgrade | 05 February 2010 | Bojana Barlovac

The new U.S. ambassador in Belgrade, Mary Warlick, has announced that the door of NATO membership is open to Serbia, stressing that Serbia is the one to decide if it wants to join the alliance.