Adriatic Sea

Italy's Economic Development Minister Federica Guidi has said the South Stream gas pipeline project is no longer a priority for her country.

"This is useful infrastructure, but is maybe not on the list of our priorities," Guidi told reporters on Wednesday.

Montenegrin opposition leader Nebojsa Medojevic on Thursday accused the government of handing over vital territorial waters to Croatia and called on "democratic forces" in the country to hold a protest rally.

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic on Monday said the two countries needed finally to resolve a long-standing border dispute in the Adriatic Sea, as continued arguments could deter potential investors in oil and gas fields.

Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak and an eight-member committee will review the bids for the exploration and exploitation concessions after the tender concluded on Monday, with contracts expected to be signed by March next year.

BELGRADE - Jadranka Joksimovic, minister without portfolio in charge of the EU integration, stated on Friday that Serbia has the opportunity to become the engine of development in the Western Balkan region.

"In order to achieve this goal we have to work on reforms... I believe that we will make good results in the next two years," Jokismovic said.

Ahead of an important German-hosted meeting in Berlin on Thursday, the Prime Ministers of Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Montenegro met on Monday in Cavtat, Croatia, to discuss the planned construction of an Adriatic-Ionian highway.

The highway will connect Central and Western Europe with Greece through the Western Balkans, running down the coast.

A 56-year-old Macedonian, who ignored signs telling visitors not to approach a rare breed of seals, has been fined 200 euros for poking a rare monk seal on a beach full of other bathers near Pula, in Croatia’s northwest Istria region, on Wednesday.

The man was later deported after authorities discovered he was in the country illegally.

Montenegro's hard-pressed tourist industry is looking to cruise liners for salvation this summer, after what looks like a disappointing season.

Croatia’s hugely important tourist industry, an important motor in the country’s economy, may fail to deliver the expected results this summer, tourist officials fear.

Although official figures for July have yet to emerge, hotels, apartment owners and camps are unofficially reporting a disappointingly large number of unoccupied beds.

European Coastal Airlines, based in Zagreb and owned by German entrepreneur Klaus Dieter Martin, will launch seaplane flights from Split to Pula and the islands of Rab and Hvar next month.