Eurasia

Romanian prince pulls out of presidential race

ROMANIA Romania’s Prince Radu Duda has withdrawn from the country’s presidential race. Radu – the son-in-law of former Romanian monarch King Michael – pulled out of the race because he feared the election campaign wouldn’t be “fair”. Writing on his blog, the royal said: “I withdraw with regrets but with …

Read More »

Bulgarian expects confirmation Spaska Mitrova cannot be pardoned: deputy foreign minister

BULGARIA Bulgaria has expected confirmation Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov cannot meet Spaska Mitrova’s mother request and pardon her daugther, deputy foreign minister Marin Raykov said. “I am still waiting to see such letter has been received by her family. Of course, both we and the Bulgarian society will draw conclusions …

Read More »

Up to present, government plans no new loans from IMF: finance minister

BULGARIA “The Council of Ministers passed a decree for cutting the expenses at the institutions and increasing the revenues collectability. It is expected for the measures to secure balanced budget by the end of 2009. The measures envisaging restriction of the expenses met the positive evaluation of the participants at …

Read More »

Karadzic seeks time to ready for war crimes trial

HOLLAND Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic said on Friday he needs precisely 14,171 extra hours to prepare his defense against charges of war crimes committed during the 1992-95 Bosnian war, because of the sheer scope of documents and testimony that must be reviewed. Karadzic’s request comes days after prosecutors …

Read More »

Democratic initiative, protocols with Armenia likely to be praised in EU progress report on Turkey

TURKEY The European Commission’s progress report on Turkey, which is expected to be released on Oct. 14, is likely to include praise for the government’s democratic initiative involving the country’s Kurds and the recent protocols announced between Turkey and Armenia.

Read More »

I will not hand in my resignation: Macedonian justice minister

MACEDONIA Macedonian Justice Minister Mihajlo Manevski declared he will not hand in his resignation. Manevski made a statement for the newspaper in reference to the information that international representatives have required for Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to dismiss the minister because of the way he works and the serious remarks …

Read More »

Spaska Mitrova cannot be pardoned, Macedonian president says in letter

MACEDONIA Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov has sent a letter to the mother of Spaska Mitrova, explaining to her that he cannot meet her request and pardon her daughter – Gevgelija resident, who has a Bulgarian passport, without referring the case to the authorities in charge.

Read More »

Violent Clash in Mitrovica

KOSOVO A violent clash broke out in Mitrovica last night, with groups of Serbs and Albanians hurling stones at each other. No injuries were reported. The incident is believed to be linked to a fight between groups of Serb and Albanian youths at a football match on Wednesday, which left …

Read More »

Students Back Demilitarisation as NATO Exercise Starts

BiH The operational phase of NATO’s first major exercise in Bosnia kicked off on Friday in the north-western town of Banja Luka, as Banja Luka University students rallied for the demilitarisation of the country. “The meetings are not in protest and we are not gathering against something or somebody. To …

Read More »