Balkans

June 8 proposed as date for elections in Kosovo

PRIŠTINA -- Hashim Thaci has said that he proposed "the holding of parliamentary elections on June 8," during the Wednesday meeting with leaders of other political parties.

The meeting took place at the U.S. embassy in Priština.

Amid continuing uncertainties over the date of national elections in Kosovo, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has proposed June 8 as a potential option.

He made his proposal on Friday to the President, Atifete Jahjaga, at a meeting held at the presidency building in Pristina.

Kosovo police announced they had arrested 11 people suspected of abusing official authority and economic authorization, and of fraud, related to the privatization of a company.

Baki Kelani, police spokesperson, said the arrests concerned the privatization of Fan, a company based in Podujeva/Podujevo.

The company was sold off by the Privatization Agency of Kosovo, PAK.

Croatia backing Balkan European agenda

Croatia's plans to push a Balkan agenda within the EU are shown by non-paper on BiH.

Croatia Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic said the proposal will also keep the region on the EU's radar. [AFP]

Croatia has taken on the role of advocate for the EU integration of other Balkan states.

Serbia safe country of origin, asylum requests "groundless"

BERLIN -- The German government adopted on Wednesday an asylum bill that declares Serbia a safe country of origin.

This makes asylum requests by Serbian citizens groundless in principle and shortening the procedure of repatriating asylum-seekers.

MUP unit in Kosovo as part of "planned activity"

BELGRADE -- The Ministry of Interior has said that members of the Serbian Army, and MUP's Gendarmerie on Tuesday conducted a joint reconnaissance activity with KFOR.

This went "in line with the Kumanovo Agreement," said the MUP.

EU working with Balkans to improve food production

Experts said the goal is to harmonise agriculture legislation with that of the EU and implement more efficient practices.

The EU is assisting Balkan countries to adopt efficient agricultural practices and policies. [AFP]

BERLIN - The German government adopted on Wednesday an asylum bill that declares Serbia a safe country of origin, making asylum requests by Serbian citizens groundless in principle and shortening the procedure of repatriating asylum-seekers.

PRISTINA- KFOR Commander General Salvatore Farina said on Wednesday the security situation in Kosovo had improved.

He met at the KFOR headquarters in Pristina with the mayors of four northern Kosovo municipalities where Serbs are the majority to discuss the general situation in Kosovo, particularly focusing on the situation in the north of the territory.

BELGRADE - The Serbian Ministry of Interior said on Wednesday that representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) and the Serbian Gendarmerie have conducted a joint reconnaissance operation with Kfor representatives in line with the Kumanovo Agreement.