Eurasia

SOFIA After consultations with the parliamentary groups, the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB) announced the distribution of the chairmen’s positions in the standing committees. 

SARAJEVO Acting High Representative Raffi Gregorian expressed his concern with a decision made last week by Bosnia’s Council of Ministers (CoM). The council decided not to extend the mandates of international judges and prosecutors. 

BRUSSELS Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis has informed Brussels about Turkey’s “provocative policy” of violating Greek airspace in the past weeks. The comments came as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday.

TIRANA, Albania The EU is postponing its evaluation of Albania’s application for candidate status due to the prolonged election process in the country, local media reported on Monday (July 27th). Voters went to the polls a month ago, but the final results are still pending, due to challenges raised by …

BRUSSELS, Belgium The Swedish presidency of the EU vowed on Monday (July 27th) to give new momentum to the integration of the Western Balkan countries this fall. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and Swedish EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstrom downplayed fears that accession of the …

BELGRADE, Serbia Rasim Ljajic, the head of Serbia’s national council for co-operation with the UN war crimes tribunal, said on Monday (July 27th) that Serbia is co-operating closely with foreign intelligence services in the hunt for former Bosnian Serbs’ wartime commander Ratko Mladic, and that this co-operation will net results …

BUCHAREST, Romania Parliament decided late on Monday (July 27th) to strip former Youth and Sports Minister Monica Iacob Ridzi of her immunity from prosecution. The vote by the Chamber of Deputies clears the way for the launch of a criminal investigation against Ridzi, who is suspected of embezzling public funds. …

ZAGREB, Croatia Parliament’s foreign policy committee unanimously decided on Monday (July 27th) to propose that President Stipe Mesic remove Neven Jurica as head of the Croatian mission to the UN. Jurica requested he be relieved of his duties for health reasons. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration tightened …

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) High Representative Valentin Inzko has discussed problems in the functioning of the town of Mostar, with the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC), local media reported on Monday (July 27th). Inzko is considering all available options, his spokesperson Frane Maroevic said.

BRUSSELS, Belgium EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn voiced optimism on Monday (July 27th) that Macedonia and Greece can still resolve their long-standing name dispute. He said both countries are working to move the issue forward. The stalemate has affected Macedonia’s bid to get an official start date for EU accession …