Juncker urges Kosovo to ratify border demarcation agreement with Montenegro

Within the frameworks of his visit to the Western Balkans the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker called on Kosovo to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and improve its relations with Serbia. The Border demarcation agreement with Montenegro is a precondition for Kosovo’s citizens to travel freely within the Schengen Area. The ties between Kosovo and Serbia are of great significance for their European integration, Jean-Claude Juncker further said. Earlier in Belgrade he called on Serbia to solve the territorial dispute with Kosovo. In less than 12 years you managed to make a good progress, EC President Juncker said during his visit in Montenegro. Jean-Claude Juncker reminded that the small Balkan country is a member of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization and last year it became a NATO member as well.

Protest in Skopje against Macedonia’s name change

Several thousand people protested in Skopje and called on Macedonia’s government to suspend the talks with Greece in relation to Macedonia’s naming dispute. The protesters crossed nearby the office of the European Union in Skopje shouting Macedonia’s name and waving the national flags. A group of protesters burned the Greek national flag in front of the country’s Parliament. Greece has been claiming during the negotiations that the name of their northern neighbor in its current form envisages territorial claims to the region of Macedonia. However, FYROM is willing to change its name, in order to solve the naming dispute with Greece. The suggestions are: Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Upper Macedonia, Republic of Vardar Macedonia and Republic of Macedonia (Skopje).

Greece eases capital restrictions before end of bailout programme

The Greek government eased the capital restrictions introduced in the summer of 2015 when the future of this country in the Eurozone was questioned. The Greek Ministry of Finance said that it would allow the citizens to withdraw lump sums of up to EUR 2,300 in cash per month from bank accounts, from EUR 1,800 currently. The Greek nationals will be allowed to open bank accounts without any restrictions for the first time since the summer of 2015. Inspectors from the European institutions and the International Monetary Fund are in Athens to make the last review of the economic reforms before the end of the Greek bailout programme in august 2018.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer concerned by allegations of torture in Turkey

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Nils Melzer said he was concerned about claims that people arrested on suspicions of alleged ties with US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen or with the outlawed Kurdish rebels have been exposed to “brutal interrogation techniques”, including beatings, electric shocks and threats. No serious measures appeared to have been taken by the authorities to investigate these allegations or to hold perpetrator accountable, Nils Melzer said. Turkey accused Fethullah Gülen that he was behind the failed coup attempt in 2016, but the cleric denied these accusations.

Albanian Police seizes 613 kilograms of cocaine

The Albanian Police has seized 613 kilograms of cocaine hidden in banana containers from Colombia. This is the biggest quantity of drugs ever seized in this country which was urged to intensify fight against corruption, organized crime and drug-trafficking, in order to join the EU. The seized quantity is estimated at nearly EUR 180 million. It arrived to Durres port through Italy and Malta ten days ago.

Compiled by: Milgena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov