Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process meet in Sofia on November 9

The Foreign Ministers of the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans will hold a meeting on November 9 within the frameworks of the first joint Presidency of Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The meeting will be held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva and North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani will co-chair the event. The forum aims to prepare the Berlin Process Summit on November 10 in Sofia. Participants will discuss the challenges for the Western Balkans in the context of confidence-building measures and improving regional cooperation, including through better connectivity between people and infrastructure. The meeting will focus on topics related to young people and the civil society, Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior announced.

Romania enforces new restrictions and anti-epidemic measures on November 9

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis announced new measures the authorities will enforce to contain the spread of Covid-19, DIGI24 TV announced. Night-time movement will be restricted. Face masks become mandatory both in public places and workplaces. Shops must close no later than 9 pm. All private and public celebrations are prohibited. Employees from the public and the private sector are to switch over to work from home where possible. Romania’s authorities contend that a national lockdown is not necessary at the moment.

Serbia increases budget deficit due to coronavirus crisis

The Serbian government approved additional spending in its 2020 budget for the second time this year to compensate for the economic damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and invest in medical facilities to combat the disease, Reuters informs. The draft revised budget envisages an increase in deficit to USD 4.87 billion or 8.9% of the country’s GDP. The Serbian cabinet is planning to use the funds for purchase of medical equipment, construction of new hospitals, investments in infrastructure and subsidies to businesses and agriculture. The Serbian government said economy of this country is expected to contract 1% this year, better than the previously forecasted -1.8%.

Turkey’s drillship Fatih begins second drilling in Black Sea

Turkey’s drillship Fatih began drilling a second well in the Black Sea, CNN Turk announced. This country’s Minister of Energy Fatih Dönmez posted on the social networks that drilling in Türkali well have begun after preparatory activities being completed. Drilling will continue for 75 days, Minister Fatih Dönmez further wrote. Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan has already announced that the Tuna 1 discovery holds 405 billion cubic meters of natural gas. This is the biggest quantity of gas ever discovered in the history of this country.

Former leaders of Kosovo Liberation Army surrender voluntarily to Special Court in Hague.

The former President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Kadri Veseli and the Chairman of the Parliamentary group of Self-determination Movement Rexhep Selimi surrendered voluntarily to the Special Court in Hague. They are indicted in military crimes as leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Hashim Thaci has voluntary withdrewn from the position of President of Kosovo as well. EULEX arrested and took to the War Crimes Hague Court the former National Assembly speaker Jakup Krasniqi as well, BTA informs.

First mosque in Athens opens for prayers

The first mosque in Athens opened doors on November 2 after 14 years of delays. “A long effort by successive governments since 2006, when Law 3512 was passed, has been completed. Greece sends a clear message inside and outside the country, of democracy, religious freedom and respect”, said General Secretary of Religions Giorgos Kalantzis, reported Kathimerini newspaper. Prayers were held at the mosque in strict adherence to social distancing rules and other safety measures enforced in Greece to contain the spread of Covid-19. The mosque’s first imam is Moroccan-born Zaki Mohammed, 49, a Greek citizen.

Written by: Ivo Ivanov

English version: Kostadin Atanasov