MANS requires explanation from Đukanović on his wealth

Soros interferes into Macedonia’s home affairs, Poposki says

We were on the edge of war between Serbia and Kosovo, Nikolic says

We were on the edge of a war, the Albanians want a war, said Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic after the incident with the Serbian train from Belgrade to Kosovo which returned after a failed attempt to arrive to the northern city of Kosovska Mitrovica. According to Nikolic ‘each following attempt of the Kosovo institutions in Pristina to cause a clash will end up really bad’. ‘May the Albanians themselves and their donators consider this issue,’ the Serbian president further said.

We need to take care of Albanians in Macedonia, Tirana says

Albania must take care of Albanians around the globe, President Bujar Nishani stated on the accusations that the Tirana authorities interfere into Macedonia’s home affairs. On January 7, three Albanian parties in Macedonia published an ‘Albanian platform’, calling on for constitutional changes and changes of the state symbols alongside the making of Albanian an official language in Macedonia. The platform was adopted after consultations of Macedonian Albanian leaders with Tirana’s authorities.

Turkish parliament enhances president’s authority

The Turkish newspapers report on their front pages that the discussing and the first reading vote at parliament of the package of constitutional reforms, boosting the authority of the president has ended and the second read vote is kicking off as of January 18. It is expected to last three days. Then it will become clear whether that package will receive enough support for an eventual referendum to be offered. It needs 330 positive votes out of all 550 for each separate section and the entire package.

Greek farmers preparing new road blockades

The Greek farmers announced end-December the start of protests as of January 23 which means new road and border blockades. A week earlier the farmers plan to step out into village squares and to block those, mass media report. The people are unhappy with the government’s economic policy in terms of taxes, retirement security and incomes. Bulgaria’s trade has suffered serious losses at previous border and road blockades.

Economic growth of 5.25 in Romania promised by Grindeanu

Romanian PM Sorin Grindeanu promised in a TV interview a GDP of EUR 181.5 bln, economic growth of 5.2% and 180,000 new jobs. He also assured that the 2017 budget deficit will fit into the target set of less than 3%. The government forecasts inflation rate of 1.4% for this year.

Compiled by: Atanas Tsenov

English version: Zhivko Stanchev