Countries from Brdo-Brioni Process expect additional assistance from EU

In the final declaration of the meeting of the Brdo-Brioni Process in Skopje the countries from the Western Balkans admitted that rule of law, fundamental human rights, efficient judiciary system, good governance and fight against corruption and organized crime are crucial to progress, development and stability of the whole region. Bulgaria’s Premier Boyko Borissov and the President of the European Council Donald Tusk were honorary guests of the forum. The participants stressed on the importance of the forthcoming EU-Western Balkans summit in Sofia. The countries voiced expectations for additional assistance from the EU aimed at improving transport, energy and digital connectivity.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expects record-high support at forthcoming early elections

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a party congress in Izmir that he expected the forthcoming early elections to remain in history with record high number of ballots cast for his Justice and Development Party. Recep Erdogan criticized strongly the leader of the oppositional Republican People’s Party Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Erdogan accused Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of being in contact with the coup plotters in July 2016.

Greece will upgrade 85 F-16 fighter jets

Greece approved a deal with the United States to upgrade dozens of its F16 fighter jets made in the USA. A meeting by the government council of foreign affairs and defense approved a programme for modernization of this country’s air forces. The programme envisages modernization of 85 fighter jets to F-16 V level. Greece has a total of 150 F-16 fighter jets and spends 2% of its gross domestic product on defense. Its fighter jects are on regular missions in the Aegean Sea to intercept Turkish aircraft that violates the country’s airspace.

Skopje must agree to an erga omnes name: Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias

Skopje must agree to an erga omnes name, so we can proceed to an overall positive agreement, Greece’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias said after the NATO meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels. In order for FYROM to get an invitation to join NATO, the 2008 Bucharest decision, as well as the results of the current negotiation, must be implemented, Minister Kotzias added.

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic to visit Russia again

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic will visit Russia again, the Belgrade newspaper Blic announced. This will be the second visit of President Vucic to Russia in less than six months. At the end of December 2017 he said in Moscow that Serbia was firmly supporting the deepening of the political relations with the Russian Federation and would never impose sanctions to this country over the Ukrainian crisis.  Before visiting again Moscow Serbia’s President Vucic will visit Ankara on May 7.

Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill holds festive liturgy in Tirana

In the presence of several thousands of pilgrims from different Albanian regions the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill held together with the head of the Albanian Orthodox Church Archbishop Anastasios a festive liturgy at the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral in Tirana. The Albanian church has served to its people for centuries in difficult moments, including atheistic persecutions, Patriarch Kirill said during the service. During the military conflict in Kosovo the Albanian church received refugees regardless of their religion and political beliefs, Patriarch Kirill went on to say. The church service was held in three languages- Albanian, Church-Slavonic and Greek.

Compiled by: Stoimen Pavlov

English version: Kostadin Atanasov