Turkey's opposition demands that Supreme Electoral Council cancels results of latest referendum

The main opposition party in Turkey-The Republican People's Party demanded that the Supreme Electoral Council in that country cancel the results of the latest referendum on constitutional amendments that expands the power of President Recep Erdogan. The opposition contends that a series of violations of the election law were made during the voting. Later, the Supreme Electoral Council rejected the request of the Republican People's Party. Last Sunday 51.41% of the Turkish citizens voted in favor of the constitutional amendments proposed by president Erdogan and the rulingJustice and DevelopmentParty. Representatives of OSCE who monitored the referendum in Turkey announced that it did not live up to the standards of the Council of Europe. Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in response that the comments of the OSCE mission in Turkey were “unacceptable.”

Serbia detains organized crime group for migrant smuggling from Bulgaria

Serbia's authorities detained an organized crime group for migrant smuggling from Bulgaria. Serbia's Minister of Interior Nebojsa Stefanovic announced that the country's Service for Combating Organized Crime arrested the persons who smuggled illegal migrants from Bulgaria to Belgrade and charged EUR 250 per migrant. The illegal migrants were transported from Serbia's capital to the territory of the European Union. Minister Stefanovic specified that Serbia's Police detained 8 people. However, 2 people from that crime group are still wanted by the country's authorities.

Countries from Western Balkans should maintain good neighborly relations: EC Spokesperson Maja Kocijancic

The countries from the Western Balkans should maintain good neighborly relations and cooperation between those countries should be equal, the Spokesperson of the European Commission Maja Kocijancic said on occasion of the announcement of Albania's Premier Edi Rama about possible union between Albania and Kosovo. The Western Balkan region has a clear European perspective. We have been cooperating with all partners from that regions without deviating from the principles of reconciliation and regional cooperation, in order to reach that goal,  Maja Kocijancic went on to say. Albania's Premier Edi Rama said in an interview for Politico daily that should the EU membership prospects of the countries from the Western Balkans faded, a union between Albania and Kosovo could not be ruled out.

Romania's weapons export increase

In 2016 Romania's export of weapons has increased with 15% as compared to the previous year reaching its highest level in the past ten years to nearly EUR 180 million, Gandul newspaper announced. The USA is still the biggest importer of Romanian weapons. Nearly 40% of the country's total export of weapons amounting to EUR 67.3 million is directed to the USA. Bulgaria was the second biggest importer of Romanian weapons. It paid EUR 19.7 million for Romanian weapons. Romania also exported large volumes to the Saudi Arabia to the tune of EUR 19.4 million, to the UAE (EUR 15.26 million) and Israel (EUR 14.9 million).

IMF: Greece needs to restructure its debt

The International Monetary Fund will not provide financial assistance to Greece, if that country fails to restructure its debts, IMF chief Christine Lagarde announced. The IMF will not participate in the Greek bailout programme if Greece's debts do not match the criteria of the International Monetary Fund. The IMF contends that Greece should continue to make reforms. Greece needs a new tranche of the EUR 86 billion bailout programme, in order to pay its debts in July.

Runway Romanian investor Sebastian Ghita arrested in Belgrade

The Romanian investor Sebastian Ghita who was trying to escape from Romania's authorities was arrested in Belgrade. Ghita who is a former MP disappeared on December 21 last year. Bringing Sebastian Ghita to his home country may take nearly a month. Ghita is being prosecuted in five criminal cases. Romania's National Anticorruption Directorate charged Ghita with using confidential information, bribery, buying influence and blackmail.

Compiled by: Stoimen Pavlov

English version: Kostadin Atanasov