40 intellectuals from Europe and USA support Macedonia-Greece agreement in open letter

More than 40 intellectuals from Europe and the US gave their support, in an open letter, to the agreement between Macedonia and Greece on the name dispute of the former. The letter, published by The Guardian reads that the agreement “respects the dignity and the right to self-determination of the two peoples and confirms the desire of both countries for peaceful coexistence”. The letter is signed by leading scholars from the universities of Oxford, Berkeley, New York, Cambridge, Warsaw, Bologna, as well as MEPs. “In these critical times, when Europe faces the rise of extreme rightwing nationalism and racism, and dangerous revisionisms are resurfacing in the Balkans and Europe dividing people into “traitors” and “patriots”, it is more important than ever to support those who take risks for reconciliation,” the letter reads.

Status agreement signed allowing the deployment of European Border and Coast Guard Agency teams along Macedonian borders

Dimitris Avramopoulos, European commissioner for migration, home affairs and citizenship and Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski reached a status agreement in Brussels allowing teams from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to be deployed in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to help the country tackle possible migratory challenges. Oliver Spasovski pointed out that the citizens of Macedonia should have no worries about their safety and that the country has the historical chance of becoming part of the EU.

European Commission advises Albania to reduce its government debt

The European Commission has advised Albania to continue its policy of reducing government debt and unfavourbale credits by taking advantage of the momentum in the economy. In its latest evaluation of the economies of the candidate countries for membership of the EU, the European Commission ascertains that the economic growth rate in Albania picked up additional speed in the first half of 2018, with the support of foreign investments and increased domestic consumption. In the first quarter of 2018, the Albanian economy marked a 4.4 percent growth – the highest quarterly growth rate in 3.5 years.

Turkey and Netherlands restore diplomatic relations

Turkey and the Netherlands have agreed to normalize their relations over the coming months, the Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced. The decision was made in a telephone conversation between Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Dutch counterpart Stef Blok. Tensions between the two countries escalated after the Netherlands refused to allow campaigning on its territory in support of the Turkish referendum of 2017.

Slovenian hospitals recruit doctors from non-EU countries

Hospitals in Slovenia will, from now on, be able to hire specialized doctors from third, non-EU countries for up to one year with the approval of the ministry of health. These doctors will have to be given expert guarantees by three Slovenian doctors in the same specialty. This has become possible after amendments were made to the health care act aimed at coping with the shortage of specialists – most of all cardiologists and anesthesiologists at leading hospitals.

Thousands swim across Bosphorus in cross-continental race

A total of 2,419 swimmers from 55 countries joined the 30th cross-continental swimming race across the Bosphorus. This unique swimming race crossing the strait from the Asian to the European shore is organized by the Turkish Olympic Committee. All swimmers had a chip attached to their legs to track time. Dogukan Ulac from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey, won in the men's category with a time of 46 minutes 58 seconds. The women’s race was won by Hilal Zeynep Sarac from Turkey who clocked 50 minutes 50 seconds.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

English version: Milena Daynova