All News from Balkans

Regional airports hit hard by the pandemic

Traffic at Greece's 14 regional airports managed by German transport company Fraport has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

According to data released by the company, total traffic at the airports in July came to 1.3 million arriving and departing passengers, a 75.1% drop from the figure in July 2019. Regional airports reopened on June 15.

Waste management plan set to improve standards

After the failure to meet targets set in 2015, the new updated National Waste Management Plan (ESDA) for 2020-30 was put up for public consultation by the Environment Ministry Thursday.

Romanian, US military officials discuss number of American troops to be additionally deployed to Romania

The Minister of National Defense Nicolae Ciuca, and the Chief of the Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Daniel Petrescu, met on Friday at the Ministry of Defense (MApN) headquarters with the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General James C McConville, and Commander of US Army Europe Lt. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli.

Unemployment climbs to 17%

The unemployment rate climbed to 17% in May, according to data released Thursday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).

May was the month when the lockdown imposed in late March to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic began to be gradually lifted. So, the unemployment figure is also a metric of how much the lockdown shrank overall economic activity.

Government steps up measures to halt spread of virus

Greece's Civil Protection on Friday announced three new measures as part of the government efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

As of August 12, travellers from Malta will have to present proof of a negative molecular test (PCR) result for Covid-19 taken up to 72 hours before their entry to Greece.

151 new coronavirus infections detected in Greece

Greek health authorities announced 151 new SARS-CoV-2 infections in the country in the last 24 hours, seven of which were imported infections detected at the country's entry points.

This comes a day after the National Organization of Public Health (EODY) confirmed 153 new cases.

In its daily report on Friday, EODY said that the total number of infections has reached 5,270.

PM Orban: Ombudsman relapses, files constitutional challenge to Quarantine and Isolation Law

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said that the Ombudsman has once again challenged the Quarantine and Isolation Law in the Constitutional Court, adding that in his opinion, this "already appears to be an attack on Romania's fundamental interests".

MAE: Romania reaffirms full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity

Romania reaffirms its full support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) said on Twitter on Friday. "12 years since the beginning of the military conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia. Romania reaffirms its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia," informs the MAE.

COVID-19 School Dilemma Troubles Balkan, Central Europe Govts

High-school students wait in line to register for the upcoming school year in Skopje, North Macedonia, June 16, 2020. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

The variety of approaches on offer includes shorter lessons, fewer students in classrooms, alternative periods of online and onsite teaching or combinations of these and other solutions.

Western Balkans still undecided what to do

Thalia brings rain and thunderstorms to Athens

Rain and thunderstorms hit the region of Attica on Friday evening as the weather front Thalia reached the southern part of the country.

According to the National Observatory's Meteo weather service, bad weather conditions will affect a large part of the country for a third consecutive day, with the only exception being the region of Thrace, the island of Evia and Crete.

PM eyes property tax cuts for small isles

On a trip on Thursday to the remote southeastern Aegean island of Halki, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he wants to introduce a provision to reduce the ENFIA property tax for small islands.

UPDATE PM Orban:Budget revision to be adopted next week, all money requests should have solid arguments

Prime Minister Ludovic Orban said that the government will approve next week the budget revision and asked the ministers to present "very solid" arguments for any request for money. "We are finalizing assessments this week and next week we will adopt the emergency ordinance on the revision.