Employment and fight against corruption are Kosovo’s priorities: Albin Kurti

Our top priorities are justice, jobs and fight against corruption, said Albin Kurti, leader of the left-wing movement Self-Determination that won the early Parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Alban Kurti said he would reframe talks with Serbia to put the two sides on equal footing. “The talks with Serbia need to begin from the standpoint of reciprocity and equality. The talks should not focus on compensating Belgrade for losing Kosovo as a province”, said Kurti.

The Self-Determination party earned 48% at the latest Parliamentary elections in Kosovo and will have to look for a coalition partner, in order to fulfil its promises for a fresh start in Kosovo’s politics.

Belgrade and Skopje to solve disputes via dialogue

Belgrade and Skopje will strengthen good neighbor relations through solving all open issues, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and North Macedonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani agreed during the official visit of Minister Osmani to Serbia’s capital. President Vucic and Minister Osmani discussed ways to improve economic cooperation and enhance mutual support on the countries’ path to EU membership. Aleksandar Vucic stressed that the “mini Schengen” was an example of successful cooperation for the benefit of the citizens and the benefit of all countries involved in the initiative.

Talks on the Cyprus dispute expected to take place in April

The informal meeting on the Cyprus dispute is likely to be held in April, the spokesperson of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alexandros Papaioannou told the media, BTA reported. Initially, the informal 5+1 meeting on the Cyprus problem was scheduled to take place in the beginning of March in the USA. Representatives of the Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, UN representatives, as well as representatives of the guarantor countries- Greece, Turkey and Great Britain, are to participate at the meeting.

Greece and the Greek Cypriots insist on a solution based on bi-communal and bi-zonal federation in line with the resolutions of the UN Security Council. However, the Turkish Cypriots demand an agreement envisaging the creation of two separate states that may eventually become part of a confederation.

Turkey launches campaign named “Turkish language- a world language”

The Turkish language is our strongest line of defense against cultural imperialism, Turkey’s President Recep Tayiip Erdogan said in his speech delivered at the opening ceremony of “Our Yunnus” Year at the Presidential Complex. “We can neither protect our national identity nor achieve our global goals unless we preserve the Turkish language” President Erdogan pointed out. Erdogan said that the 700^th death anniversary of 13^th century poet Yunnus Emre would pass under the motto “Turkish language- a world language”, reports trtbulgarian.com web site.

Serbia’s Orthodox Church elects new Patriarch

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected 59-year-old Porfirije Peric, Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana, as the 46th Patriarch of Serbia, announced BTA. Porfirije Peric was elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church several months after the death of the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej who passed away after contracting Covid-19. After completing his education, Porfirije went to the Holy Archangels Monastery in Kovilj where he devoted himself to the treatment of people with addictions. The monastery became a spiritual shelter for young intellectuals, artists and rock musicians. In 2005, Porfirije founded a therapeutic community called “The Land of the Living” which was named the most successful project for therapy of drug addiction.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov