Western Balkan leaders embrace EU perspective
21/03/2010
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia -- A summit of Western Balkan leaders near Ljubljana ended on Saturday (March 20th) by adopting a joint statement on their countries' commitment to the European perspective. The forum was marred by the absence of Serbian President Boris Tadic who boycotted because Kosovo was not represented according to the UN Security Council resolution 1244. EU President Herman van Rompuy was also absent. Participants voiced willingness to continue implementing reformed needed for EU integration as well as strengthening regional co-operation. They urged the EU to keep the enlargement process as its top priority and continue supporting mechanisms of regional co-operation. The forum was attended by the prime ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia, as well as by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele.
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said on the forum's sidelines that Pristina remains committed to good neighbourly relations and is ready to co-operate with Serbia. He stressed that Kosovo intends to continue taking part in all international and regional meetings as an independent state. (Beta, Tanjug, B92, RTS, Blic - 20/03/10)
Rehn, Barroso call EU to back financial aid for Greece
21/03/2010
BRUSSELS, Belgium/ATHENS, Greece -- On Friday (March 19th), EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn urged Union leaders to agree on a plan for financial support for Greece, if one becomes necessary. "It is essential that when we deal with a euro area country there is a European lead and a European responsibility," Rehn said. His call came ahead of an EU summit next week. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also urged for an EU agreement on a rescue plan.
Meanwhile, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag weekly that his country would not object to the EU providing bilateral assistance to Athens. "For EU aid to Greece, there is no collective instrument. In case of extreme necessity, there could be co-ordinated bilateral aid on a voluntary basis," Schaeuble said.
The Greek cabinet is expected to table in parliament on Tuesday new tax regulations as part of the austerity measures that should help the country deal with its debt crisis. According to media, the new tax bill foresees a 20% tax rate on the Orthodox Church's income from real estate and 45% tax rate on annual incomes over 100,000 euros. The new "radical" rules will oblige taxi drivers and owners of gas stations and kiosks to issue VAT receipts to customers. (AFP, Financial Times - 20/03/10; Reuters, AFP, Kathimerini, UPI - 19/03/10)
EU's Fuele visits Kosovo and Albania
21/03/2010
PRISTINA, Kosovo/TIRANA, Albania -- Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said on Friday (March 19th) that the EU expects Kosovo to step up efforts to fight crime and corruption and strengthen the rule of law. After talks with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu in Pristina, Fuele stressed the importance of guaranteeing political stability and security for all communities in Kosovo. He told Pristina authorities that there is consensus within the EU over Kosovo's European perspective. Sejdiu said that Kosovo has a vision for its EU and NATO integration, but noted there is still work to do to achieve these goals.
On Friday, Fuele visited Tirana, where he voiced satisfaction with Albania's progress in its EU visa liberalisation process. After talks with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Fuele urged local politicians to overcome their political crisis as it could affect Albania's EU bid. The opposition Socialist Party insist on a thorough investigation of the June 2009 parliamentary election which they claim were manipulated. The ruling Democratic Party has ruled out the possibility of a recount. (MIA, Danas, AP, AFP - 19/03/10)
Erdogan has no immediate plans to expel Armenians
21/03/2010
ANKARA, Turkey -- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday (March 20th) that he has no immediate plans to expel illegal Armenian workers. Earlier this week, he stated in an interview with the BBC's Turkish service that some 100,000 illegal immigrants from Armenia might be sent home. Speaking at a gathering of Turkish artists in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan pointed out that his statement was meant to attract the attention of the international community to his country's "tolerant approach" to Armenians, adding he did not mean that such a step would be immediate. Erdogan said Turkey will continue to deal with the illegal immigrants issue humanely and urged Western countries to stop branding the 1915 killing of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
Erdogan's statement about the possible deportation of Armenians sparked criticism both at home and abroad. On Friday, some 150 people gathered in Istanbul in a demonstration organised by an NGO defending the rights of immigrants. (AFP, CNN Turk, Hurriyet - 20/03/10)
NATO's Fitzgerald praises improved security situation in Kosovo
21/03/2010
PRISTINA, Kosovo -- The NATO Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples Admiral Mark Fitzgerald said on Friday (March 19th) that the transfer of the responsibility for the protection of a Serbian monument of Gazimestan from KFOR to the Kosovo police is a result of improved security situation in the country. Fitzgerald made the statement in Pristina where he held talks with KFOR Commander Lieutenant General Markus Bentler of Germany, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and President Fatmir Sejdiu. He said that KFOR has no mandate to deal with the implementation of the political plan for northern Kosovo. The government's strategy for the north envisages integration of the Serb-majority with Pristina institutions. (B92, Tanjug - 19/03/10)
EC supports initiative for regional war crimes commission
21/03/2010
BELGRADE, Serbia -- The head of the European Commission (EC) delegation to Serbia, Vincent Degert, has voiced support for an initiative of a number of NGOs from the region to set up a fact-finding regional commission on war crimes committed during wars in the Balkans. Speaking at a conference in Novi Sad on Saturday (March 20th), Degert called for a regional approach when dealing with war crimes issues. The EC official estimated that countries from the region should conclude bilateral and multilateral agreements on war crimes investigations. (Beta, B92 - 20/03/10)
BiH to investigate child pornography case in foreign ministry
21/03/2010
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj has asked the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) identify which of his employees used a work computer to access websites with child pornography, local media reported on Saturday (March 20th). According to media in Sarajevo, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Interior Ministry discovered that one of the Foreign Ministry's computers and a computer in the Sarajevo-based Regional Co-operation Council were used to access child porn. The Interior Ministry had allegedly been alerted by Interpol in Luxembourg. (Dnevni Avaz, RTRS, sarajevo-x.com, Fena - 20/03/10)
Romanian mayor charged with bribery
21/03/2010
BUCHAREST, Romania -- Prosecutors from the National Anti-corruption Department (DNA) filed corruption charges Friday (March 19th) against Craiova Mayor Antonie Solomon. He was arrested on March 3rd on suspicion of forgery and accepting bribes. Local media reported that Solomon allegedly took a 50,000 euro bribe from a local businessman in exchange for a permit to build a supermarket. After Solomon's arrest, he was suspended from the post. On Friday, a local court turned down his request for provisional release and remanded him in custody. (Mediafax, Jurnalul National, Adevarul - 19/03/10)
Montenegrin opposition to propose local elections date
21/03/2010
PODGORICA, Montenegro -- Socialist People's Party (SNP) leader Srdjan Milic will propose to President Filip Vujanovic May 30th as a date for holding of local elections, media reported on Saturday (March 20th). The opposition will meet representatives of the parties that are not represented in the parliament on Monday to come up with the final suggestion. According to the media, the opposition wants to avoid May 23rd -- suggested by the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS)-led coalition -- fearing the fourth anniversary of the country's independence may be used by the ruling party to gain advantage ahead of the vote. (Portal Analitika, RTCG - 20/03/10)
Bomb attacks in Athens
21/03/2010
ATHENS, Greece -- A bomb exploded early Saturday (March 20th) in Athens outside the home of Anuar Ikmar, president of the Greek-Pakistani Association. The blast caused damages to the building and three nearby parked cars but no one was hurt. The police cordoned off the area after a warning phone call was received by a Greek TV station and a newspaper before the explosion. Later in the day, a second bomb exploded outside a police detention centre in Athens. There were damages but no injuries as a warning call was received before the blast. The two explosions came after a makeshift bomb went off outside offices of a far-right group in Athens on Friday. The blast caused damages but no injuries. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attacks. (AFP, BBC, DPA, AP, Reuters - 20/03/10)