Balkans

As expected, the latest report released by the European Commission (EC) met with varied reactions among Romanian politicians, journalists and ordinary citizens. A cautious tone was evident as the country discussed the historic moment and its long-term significance.

Montenegro‘s Djukanovic to step down 04/10/2006 PODGORICA, Montenegro — Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic, who led his country through the conflicts of the 1990s to eventual independence, has decided to step down. The move comes on the heels of an impressive election victory by the Djukanovic-led Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) …

BiH holds general elections 01/10/2006 SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) — People across BiH headed for the polls on Sunday (1 October) for the country’s fifth general election since splitting from the former Yugoslavia. Polls showed that three parties — the opposition Social Democrats, the centrist Party for Bosnia and …

Kosovo’s negotiating team has agreed to participate in another session of direct talks with Belgrade on cultural heritage in Kosovo, to be held on 11 July in Vienna. Yet the Kosovo side says it will not accept new demands regarding protection zones around Serb Orthodox cultural and religious sites. “We …

There have been lots of new beginnings for tiny Albania. In 1992, the Democratic Party of Sali Berisha swept to power in a wave of anticommunism. Optimism for fast change and willing sacrifice came with Berisha’s victory. Despite some achievements, Berisha’s government collapsed in 1997 amid the failure of catastrophic …

Kosovo is making progress and is ready to move ahead, Soren Jessen-Petersen told the UN Security Council on Tuesday (20 June). Calling for an early and successful conclusion of the talks on the province’s final status, the outgoing UNMIK chief warned that delaying a decision could threaten stability and progress.

BUCHAREST, Romania — One Romanian soldier in Afghanistan died and four were injured after their armoured vehicle drove over a landmine near the Kandahar base on Tuesday (20 June). The injured soldiers were taken to the Canadian hospital in the base run by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in …

BUCHAREST, Romania — The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) is seeking a government shuffle, according to a statement from UDMR leader Marko Bela on Tuesday (20 June). He said that his party would back the initiative if it was initiated

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) — BiH constitutional reforms were the focus of an informal meeting between High Representative Christian Schwarz-Schilling and the leaders of the six main political parties on Monday (19 June).

TIRANA, Albania — The ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the opposition Socialist Party (SP) exchanged their nominations to fill the vacant seat in the Central Election Commission (CEC), DP headquarters said on Tuesday (20 June). Each party presented four names — two of which are to be endorsed by the …