All News from Balkans
UNHCR Report Shows Dramatic Rise in Asylum Claims
The UN refugee agency issued a report saying there was a sharp rise in asylum claims in 44 industrialized countries in 2013. driven primarily by the crisis in Syria.
UNHCR's "Asylum Trends 2013" report says 612,700 people applied for asylum in North America, Europe, East Asia and the Pacific in 2013, which is the highest total for any year since 2001.
Russia 'Might Demand USD 11 B from Ukraine,' Says Medvedev
Russia might take Ukraine to court after Kiev violated the 2010 Kharkiv Pact, says Russian Prime Minister Dmitriy Medvedev.
In a speech at the Russian Parliament, Medvedev said the losses could be recuperated "out of Ukraine's budget", as he was quoted by Russian website Lenta.ru.
Bulgarian Minister Snubs Accusation of Blundering South Stream Project
Bulgarian Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev has rejected accusations that the current government is to blame for bringing the South Stream gas pipeline project to a standstill.
New Cocaine Route Passes Through Bulgaria
A new cocaine route for Europe goes through Bulgaria said the National Addictions and Drugs Center.
According to its director Momchil Vasilev, in the past two years through Bulgaria was established a new drug channel, which takes cocaine from South America via Western Africa through Greece and Bulgaria, for Western Europe.
Crimea officially becomes part of Russian Federation
Crimea officially becomes part of Russian Federation
MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill making Crimea and Sevastopol officially a part of the Russian Federation.
Earlier on Friday, Ukraine signed the political part of the association agreement with the EU.
Montenegro Ruling Party Replaces Controversial Mayor
After months of speculation about who will succeed Mugosa as mayor of the capital, the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, on Thursday named the Minister of Education, Slavoljub Stijepovic, as head of the list in the Podgorica local elections scheduled for May.
British MPs Slam Government On Anti-Immigrant Sentiments
The government “increased anti-immigrant prejudice” by failing to estimate the number of Bulgarians and Romanians coming to UK after the work restrictions ended, UK MPs said.
The forecasts for a steep increase of immigrants from those two countries proved wrong, concluded a British parliamentary committee.
Gov't seeks to mend rift over milk provision in reform bill
The government's general secretary Panayiotis Baltakos, a close aide to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, on Friday met with Alternate Agricultural Development Minister Maximos Harakopoulos in a bid to overcome the latter's opposition to a provision in a multi-bill of reforms agreed with the troika that extends the shelf life of fresh milk.
Parties spend equal amount in shorter campaign
Parties spend equal amount in shorter campaign
BELGRADE -- Although the recent election campaign was shorter than the one in 2012, about the same amount of money has been spent, said Transparency Serbia.
Sweden launches new strategy for cooperation with Serbia
BELGRADE - The Swedish government has adopted a new results strategy for development cooperation with Serbia for the next seven-year period 2014-2020, whose main purpose is to assist in Serbia's EU approximation, the Swedish Embassy in Serbia released in a statement.
Beatings and Rapes Recalled in HVO Camp
A prosecution witness told the trial of former Bosnian Croat fighter Indira Kameric, for crimes in Bosanski Brod, that she was beaten and sexually abused at the football stadium.
EU's Banking Union Sealed
The EU has completed the agreement on a banking union, its strongest instrument so far to tackle the financial crisis.
After marathon talks, the sealed document will ensure that Eurozone governments are not the only ones in charge of big national banks, the Financial Times has reported.
U.S. envoy urges probe into ties between Šarić, officials
U.S. envoy urges probe into ties between Šarić, officials
BELGRADE -- The arrest and trial of suspected drug lord Darko Šarić "will lead to a reduced role of organized crime in society," U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby has said.
Speaking for the Belgrade-based daily Politika, he added that possible ties between Šarić and government officials must be checked.
Cecilia Malmstrom to Attend Bulgaria's Conference on EU Asylum System
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom will be visiting Bulgaria on 24-25 March, with regards to the refugee situation in the country.
EU Commissioner Malmstrom will participate in a conference "The Common European Asylum System: Challenges and perspectives", Monday.
Public debt at EUR 20.4 billion - 62.9 pct of GDP
Public debt at EUR 20.4 billion - 62.9 pct of GDP
BELGRADE -- Serbia's public debt went up by EUR 178 million in February reaching EUR 20.4 billion or 62.9 percent of the country's GDP.
This data was released by the Ministry of Finance its website.
At the end of 2013, the public debt totaled EUR 20.089 billion or 61.2 percent of the GDP.