Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatian president "hopes to see Nikolic in Zagreb"

ZAGREB -- Croatia's new president has said she wishes that Serbia "takes the road toward EU membership," and also "hopes to see the Serbian president in Zagreb."

During an exclusive interview for the BHT1 broadcaster, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic also opined that Serbia "should take the step and recognize Kosovo."

Hebdo Cartoon Angers Bosnia's Islamic Chief

The head of Bosnia's Islamic Community, Grand Mufti Husein Kavazovic, has condemned what he called "disgusting" a cartoon image of the Prophet Muhammed published in Wednesday's special issue of the French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

It shows a weeping Prophet holding a "Je suis Charlie" ("I am Charlie") sign below the words "All is forgiven".

Bosnian Serb Truckers Block Border Crossings

Dozens of truck drivers from Bosnia's Serb-dominated entity of Republika Srpska lined up vehicles and blocked border crossings and customs posts near the towns of Gradiska, Samac, Bijeljina and Zvornik, in the north and east of the country, in a protest against new licensing regulations.

Number of asylum seekers increases in December

BELGRADE -- Last year, about 16,500 people "had the intention to seek asylum in Serbia," and December saw a drastic increase in their number.

3,400 people requested asylum that month, heard a conference organized by the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration in Belgrade on Thursday.

Number of asylum seekers increases drastically in December

BELGRADE- Last year, about 16,500 people had the intention to seek asylum in Serbia, and December saw a drastic increase in the number of asylum seekers, with 3,400 people requesting asylum that month, it was said at a conference organized by the Serbian Commissariat for Refugees and Migration in Belgrade on Thursday.

PM receives U.S. ambassador, gets "greeting card from Obama"

BELGRADE -- Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic received on Thursday U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby.

The diplomat presented him with "a personal New Year and Christmas card from President of the U.S. Barack Obama," Tanjug reported.

Vucic receives personal greeting card from Obama

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic received on Thursday U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby, who presented him with a personal New Year and Christmas card from President of the U.S. Barack Obama.

As the Serbian government's press office has stated in a release, Vucic and Kirby discussed several topics relating to Serbia's future, in economic terms in particular.

In-fighting Delays Formation of Bosnia Govts

After numerous procedural difficulties, Bosnia's Central Election Commission, CIK, has finalized the appointment of delegates to the House of Peoples, one of two chambers of parliament in the Federation entity, commission officials told Balkan Insight.

Final certification is expected on Thursday after the CIK reviews the appeals it received on Wednesday afternoon.

Bosnian Claim to Adriatic Alarms Montenegro

Bosnia's parliament on Thursday will debate a resolution calling on the government to reject a proposed agreement with Montenegro aimed at determining the border.

The initiative, proposed by parliamentarian Denis Becirovic in November, says it is unacceptable for Bosnia to allow Montenegro to keep a part of the strategically important Bay of Kotor, close to the town of Herceg Novi.

British Foreign Secretary: Russia Sanctions Should Remain in Place

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has insisted that the sanctions against Russia should remain in place until the country starts fulfilling its commitments under the Minsk agreement.

World Bank Revises Croatia's GDP Growth Down

New estimates of Croatia's likely GDP growth from the World Bank are not looking good for the country as it battles to exit a six-year economic crisis.

The World Bank in June 2014 estimated Croatia's GDP growth that year would be minus-0.5 per cent, rising to 1.2 per cent growth in 2015.

Serbians welcome in "Orthodox" New Year

BELGRADE -- Tens of thousands of people across the country on Tuesday celebrated the beginning of the new year according to the Julian calendar.

This is the calendar adhered to by the Serbian Orthodox Church, so the January 13 festivities are sometimes referred to as the Orthodox, or Serbian New Year.