Balkan developments

published on 9/27/24 1:30 PM

Photo: eurotopics.net

Albania to start substantive EU accession negotiations on 15 October

The EU's permanent representatives in Brussels have unanimously decided to open accession negotiations with Albania. The process will start on 15 October with an EU-Albania intergovernmental conference in Luxembourg. Cluster 1 of the negotiating chapters on "fundamental issues" will then be opened. This will separate Albania from North Macedonia in the integration process. The last obstacle to the start of negotiations was a dispute between Albania and Greece over the arrest and conviction of ethnic Greek politician Fredi Beleri in the Albanian municipality of Himare. Beleri was arrested in May 2023 during a mayoral election campaign in his home town of Himare. He subsequently won the election, but was never sworn in as he was remanded in custody. In March of that year, he was sentenced to two years in prison for election fraud. He was released on 3 September 2024, having served 2/3 of his sentence, BGNES recalls. "This is good news for Albania, but a step backwards for the Republic of North Macedonia, which has again failed to take a decisive step towards EU accession," Euractiv notes.

Cyprus calls for immediate resumption of reunification talks

The UN General Assembly in New York has become the scene of fierce confrontation over the Cyprus issue. In his address, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides described Turkish President Recep Erdogan's claims that two separate states exist on the island as "revisionism and disregard for international law". He was responding to the Turkish President's earlier demand that the international community recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Christodoulides accused Ankara of 'violating international law and the UN Charter' by occupying part of the country for 50 years. Addressing Erdogan directly, he called for an immediate resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue.

"No country that believes in the moral superiority of its position refuses to sit at the negotiating table," Christodoulides stressed.

US funds Romanian military modernisation

The US and Romania have signed a $920 million direct Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan agreement. The US government is providing the funds for the modernisation of Romania's defence forces. The document was signed in Bucharest by Romanian Finance Minister Marcel Bolos and US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director Michael Miller.

“The signing of the loan agreement is a solid argument of the trust and status that Romania enjoys in this relationship with our strategic ally. The agreement is only the first stage of future defence projects that we will develop together with the United States to reach financing of more than $2 billion," said Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. He stated that the money would be used to improve defence capabilities, develop the local defence industry, create jobs and introduce new technologies, reports BTA.

Croatia ready to reintroduce conscription

The Croatian Ministry of Defence has met all the requirements for the reintroduction of compulsory military service. "The political decision will be made in Parliament, in talks with the Prime Minister and in talks with the President of the country. If this political decision is taken, we will start on 1 January," said Defence Minister Ivan Anusic.

The instructors are ready, there are 3 locations prepared for the annual accommodation of 17,000 - 18,000 conscripts over the age of 18, the minister added, as quoted by HINA. Answering journalists' questions, he said that the cost of initial military training should be less than 5 million euros a year. Between 17,000 and 18,000 Croatian young men over the age of 18 will be invited to serve in the military for two months a year. There will be an alternative civilian service for those who refuse to go to the barracks, Anusic added.

Montenegro bans single-use plastics

The new law on waste management, which came into force on 20 October, bans the use of lightweight plastic bags between 15 and 50 microns thick and single-use plastic products in Montenegro, the Montenegrin government announced. Those who do not comply with the law will be fined between 1,000 and 40,000 euros. The measure is part of a wider effort to tighten controls and encourage a shift towards more sustainable ways of managing waste, with a particular focus on reducing the use of plastics. In addition to the ban on plastic bags, the law also introduces a tax on the disposal of mixed municipal waste in landfills, which will encourage recycling and waste reduction, national broadcaster RTCG reports.

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