All News from Balkans
Migration flows reduced by 91 pct in May, ministry says
The arrival of migrants dropped 91 pct in May compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the Migration Policy Ministry on Thursday.
On four islands (Chios, Samos, Leros, Kos) there were no arrivals last month.
Airlines see strong demand amid reopening
Turkey plans to resume international flights to 40 countries gradually as of June 10, the transport and infrastructure minister said on June 4.
The international flights from Turkey will carry passengers firstly to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Qatar, and Greece, Adil Karaismailoğlu said in a statement.
Tram services in southern Athens to temporarily halt on June 6 for works
The operation of Athens' tram between Zephyros and Mousson stations in the southern part of the city will stop for about five hours on June 6 due to works for the installation of a pedestrian bridge, it was announced Thursday.
Experts register butterflies around Lake Van
Butterflies in Turkey's eastern Lake Van basin, which is home to many living beings with its rich flora, high altitude and unique nature, have started flying as their spawning period begins.
Kosovo Activist to Sue Presidential Bodyguards Over Alleged Attack
A Kosovo activist, Veron Hasani, has pressed charges against the bodyguards of President Hashim Thaci, after being detained for calling the president a "thief" and, he said, violently attacked.
‘Lynch Mob’ Campaign Against Kosovo Rights Activist Condemned
A group of over 40 civil society organisations in Kosovo said in a joint statement on Thursday that Shkelzen Gashi has been "threatened and insulted in the worst way by the general public, but also by many personalities and politicians including President Hashim Thaci".
Greek slump in Q1 not as bad as expected, says gov't spokesman
Greece's economic slump was not as bad as expected, government spokedman Stelios Petsas said on Thursday, following the release of the GDP data by the country's statistics service (ELSTAT).
"Greece had a significantly lower recession than expected, as the GDP for the first quarter decreased by 0.9 percent," government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Thursday.
New round of Covid-19 testing on islands starts June 5
The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) is launching on Friday (June 5) a new round of testing on the residents of 16 small islands of the Aegean, ahead of the opening to foreign tourists in mid-June.
New round of mass Covid-19 testing on islands starts June 5
The National Organization for Public Health (EODY) is launching on Friday (June 5) a new round of testing on the residents of 16 small islands of the Aegean, ahead of the opening to foreign tourists in mid-June.
North Macedonia Reimposes Long Curfews as COVID Cases Spike
After another worrying peak in infections over the past few days, North Macedonia has ordered a full 80-hour lockdown of the capital, Skopje, and the towns of Tetovo, Kumanovo and Stip. Curfews there will start at 9 pm on Thursday and last until 5 am on Monday.
Greek economy shrinks in first quarter, contraction deepens
Greece's economy contracted in January-to-March compared to last year's fourth quarter, the country's statistics service (ELSTAT) said on Thursday.
The seasonally adjusted data showed gross domestic product shrank 1.6 percent in the first quarter, at a faster pace compared to a 0.7 percent contraction in October-to-December.
238 new cases of COVID-19 infection, total number at 19,907
Another 238 cases of persons infected with the novel coronavirus were recorded in Romania since the last informative bulletin, the total number of infections reaching 19,907 cases, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS) announced, on Thursday. Of the persons confirmed positive, 13,919 were declared healed and discharged. The intensive care units are now tending to 153 patients.
Moldova President Accused of Risking Soldiers’ Health in Moscow
Moldova's President has been criticised for sending soldiers to Moscow to join the Victory Day parade on June 24, despite the potential risks to their health in Russia - one of the worst affected countries in the world by COVID-19.
Moldova will send 75 soldiers to the Red Square parade, one of the largest number of soldiers ever used for such an event.
Presidential communications director conveys concern to US ambassador over TRT World journalists
Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has spoken with U.S. Ambassador to Ankara David Satterfield by phone on June 3 to express concern over an incident in which TRT World journalists were injured during protests in the U.S. against the killing of an unarmed black man.
PM appeals to EU’s von der Leyen, Michel over Turkey tensions
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has sent letters to top EU officials protesting over Turkey's activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the publication in the Turkish government's gazette of a map outlining areas of the Greek continental shelf where Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has applied for exploration permits.