EU calls on Western Balkans to overcome their differences

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on the Western Balkan states to overcome their differences and to work for tighter cooperation in the region. During an informal working meeting in Brussels with leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo, Mrs. Mogherini said that the EU could enhance the options and perspectives for good neighboring cooperation in the region. At the same time she pointed out that the community was alarmed by the escalating tension across the Western Balkans and was also convinced that Russia acted as a factor of regional destabilization.

Macedonia to have new government next week

In the beginning of the next week the Republic of Macedonia will have its new government, said leader of the Social Democratic Union Zoran Zaev after his conversation in Brussels with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. In the meantime leader of the Democratic Union for Integration Ali Ahmeti assured that the arguable platform of the three Albanian parties in Macedonia won’t be fully included into the new government’s agenda, but all its aspects which caused huge arguments and tension within the Macedonian society will be opened for debate.

Montenegro enters NATO in June

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that Montenegro would join the Alliance in June. At a press-conference he pointed out that the NATO member-states were finishing the ratification of the protocol for the country’s membership and hailed the Montenegrin authorities, expecting it as the 29^th member of the Alliance.

Erdogan demands EU decision on Turkey’s membership

Turkish President Recep Erdogan stated that the EU should decide whether it wants Turkey to become its member. Prior to his departure for the NATO summit in Brussels he said that Ankara wouldn’t turn into ‘a beggar’, in order to receive membership. The tension between Ankara and Brussels escalated due to the April 16 referendum, expanding the legitimacy of Erdogan’s authority, questioning the future of Turkey’s EU application. Most EU member-states, headed by Germany oppose the freezing of the pre-accession negotiations with Turkey, but Austria demands the ceasing of the process.

New Albanian cabinet prior to election

The Albanian parliament voted the governmental changes contracted between the two main political opponents in the country – leader of the Socialist Party and PM Edi Rama and Chair of the oppositional Democratic Party Lulzim Basha. The ministers of the interior, finances, justice, healthcare, education and labor and social policy were exchanged. These changes came after the direct interference of US diplomat Hoyt Brian Yee. The opposition has been insisting since the start of the year on the forming of an expert government which should organize free and democratic elections, also blaming Rama for preparing the polls’ falsifying. 

Compiled by: Stoimen Pavlov

English version: Zhivko Stanchev