Balkans

Novi prijedlog budžeta BiH za narednu godinu bit će umanjen za oko 24 miliona KM u odnosu na u srijedu odbačeni prijedlog, a novim prijedlogom bit će uvažen i zahtjev Predsjedništva BiH za izdvajanje 35 miliona KM za povratak, rekli su jučer u Ministarstvu finansija i trezora BiH.

EU member-states have given their consent to close two chapters in Croatia’s admission negotiations, EU sources say. The chapters on the freedom to provide services and social politics and employment will be formally closed at the inter-governmental conference for EU admission, which will be held at the ministerial level in …

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci stated that the process of recognizing Kosovo independence would continue. He said that there would be even more recognitions because of the debate before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague that was held regarding Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration.

Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said Thursday that Serbia has “never moved faster towards the EU than in 2009”. Speaking during a humanitarian New Year’s reception organized by the Foreign Ministry, he reiterated that EU membership was one of the Serbian government’s priorities.

In the first minutes of December 19 2009, 50 citizens of Serbia will be the first to travel to the European Union without visas in their passports in a flight from Belgrade to Brussels. This group of Serbian citizens, who were selected through the “Europe for everyone” open competition and …

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini says the time has come for Serbia to submit its application for European Union membership. Frattini said that Serbia should submit its candidacy appplication with the EU “before Christmas.”

As the scrapping of visas for citizens traveling to the European Union is set to become official on Friday at midnight, Macedonians celebrate with a massive party in Skopje’s main square and a state lottery for a free trip to Paris. Friday night has been declared a “white night,” meaning …

Macedonian President Gjorgje Ivanov met briefly with Greek PM George Papandreou in Copenhagen on the sidelines of the Climate Change Summit. Ivanov said that the visa liberalization will bring to a better cooperation between the two countries. Macedonian President hopes that Greece will surpass the position of blockades.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Macedonia and Iceland are expected to start accession negotiations with EU in 2010. The German Chancellor urged parliamentarians to discuss subjects, which are of great

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic announced that negotiations with Russia over some USD 200 million credit needed for the budget deficit have been finalized.