Macedonia
EU Urges Macedonian Political Leaders to Return to Negotiating Table
The European Commission has expressed its concerns over the decision of Macedonia's Presigent Gjorge Ivanov to pardon politicians suspected of involvement in last year's wiretapping scandal and condemned Wednesday's violent opposition protests.
Bulgaria's PM Foresees 'Permanent Destabilization' of Macedonia
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has predicted a gloomy political future for Macedonia, casting doubt whether the early elections scheduled for June 05 will take place at all.
"Macedonia will be permanently destabilized in my opinion, let's hope I am wrong," Dnevnik.bg quotes him as saying after a national security council meeting.
War games in Greece near Macedonia, Turkey amid migration row
The Greek army on April 14 staged a double military exercise on its border with Macedonia and an island cluster near Turkey, officials said, amid tension with Skopje over the refugee crisis.
"Emergency manoeuvres have been ordered in Kilkis (in northern Greece) and Oinousses (in the eastern Aegean)," an army general staff source told AFP.
Macedonia says Greek military plane violated its airspace
A Greek military airplane entered Macedonia's airspace at 10:30 CET on Thursday, Skopje-based TV Telma has reported.
The media outlet identified the plane as "a Phantom" - i.e., an F-4 - adding it flew about one kilometer into the Macedonian space.
Bulgaria Calls on Macedonia Politicians to Abide by Rule of Law
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement urging politicians in neighboring Macedonia to renew dialogue.
Democracy Declining in Balkans, Warns Freedom House
After substantial progress from 2004 to 2010, democracy in the Balkans has declined for six years according to US-based NGO Freedom House's annual report on democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia, which was published on Tuesday.
Greece blasts Macedonia for using 'excessive force' on migrants
Greece on April 11 lashed out at Macedonia for using "excessive force" after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on migrants trying to breach the closed border to enter the EU.
Macedonia, Greece Trade Barbs over Refugee Clashes
Athens sent two diplomatic protest notes to Skopje on Monday, accusing Macedonian security forces of using excessive force against the refugees during clashes that erupted the previous day as they tried to cross the border.
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Nearly 4,300 Foreigners Have Sought Protection in Bulgaria since Start of 2016
Foreign nationals have filed 4,267 applications for protection between January 1 and April 5, the head of Bulgaria's State Agency for Refugees, Petya Parvanova, has said.
Bulgaria, Greece Defence Ministers Urge Closer Cooperation in Tackling Migration Crisis
The defence ministers of Bulgaria and Greece have discussed the need to hold talks at the level of contact groups from the two countries' armed forces about joint tackling of the migration pressure at EU borders.