Countries:

* Albania *

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Bosnia *

Cvetković, ministers in visit to Greece Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 PM Mirko Cvetković will leave on a two-day visit to Athens, where he will attend the official opening of the new Acropolis Museum. This is according to premier’s cabinet announcement late on Friday in Belgrade. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/cvetkovi___ministersinvisittogreece-184022326

Criminal charges filed against Bećković son Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 Serbian police (MUP) say they have filed criminal charges against the son of B92 TV host Olja Bećković. The charges against the minor, now handed over to the First Municipal Court in Belgrade, cite possession of marijuana. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/criminalchargesfiledagainstbe__kovi__son-184005380

"Tension growing" inside DS-G17 camp Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 A high ranking official of the ruling Democrats (DS) says that statements coming from G17 Plus are not jeopardizing the ruling coalition. Still, DS Executive Council President Marko Đurišić was quoted by daily Politika as saying that the said statements are causing "unnecessary tensions". http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_tensiongrowing_insideds-g17camp-163022217

France moves to impose ban on burqa Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 The French government says it may impose restrictions on wearing the burqa, or face-and-body-covering veil. This could come if a parliamentary probe finds the garment degrading for women, VOA reports. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/francemovestoimposebanonburqa-163005183

Visas yes, interim deal no, say Dutch Jun 20, 2009, 15:30 CET | Story | B92 The Dutch FM has repeated that the interim trade deal and the SAA itself cannot be activated without Serbia’s full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was signed in late April 2008, but was immediately suspended. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/visasyes_interimdealno_saydutch-153004595

Gazprom to give Serbia "priority" in gas consumption Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia will have priority using natural gas from the Banatski Dvor underground storage, which is now majority owned by Russia’s Gazprom. This is according to Energy Minister Petar Škundrić, who explained that the move will protect the country in case of future gas crises. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/gazpromtogiveserbia_priority_ingasconsumption-14302238

Air crash families to get payout Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Air France says it is set to pay initial compensation to the families of those killed in the Atlantic air crash on 1 June. Two hundred and twenty-eight people died when a French plane crashed on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/aircrashfamiliestogetpayout-143005110

High rep in surprise visit to RS Jun 20, 2009, 14:00 CET | Story | B92 High Representative in Bosnia Valentin Inzko has today arrived in Banja Luka, RS, where he met with the Bosnian Serb entity’s top officials. He met with Parliament Speaker Igor Radojičić and PM Milorad Dodik. Reporters from Banja Luka assume that they discussed the parliament’s recent decisions regarding the transfer of RS powers to the state level. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/highrepinsurprisevisittors-140005260

World Refugee Day marked in Serbia Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia – home to more than 300,000 refugees and IDPs – is today marking World Refugee Day. Serbia is number one in Europe and number 13 globally when it comes to the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the figure reaching more than 307,000 people. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/worldrefugeedaymarkedinserbia-133021838

EU summit finds agreement on Ireland and Barroso Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Two of the men who emerged with the most to smile about from the summit of the 27 EU leaders were the Irish PM and the president of the European Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso won unanimous backing for another term in the top job. And Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen came away with guarantees on the Lisbon Treaty that are intended to persuade Irish voters into approving the document they have already thrown out. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/eusummitfindsagreementonirelandandbarroso-133004845

"EU to provide budget assistance" Jun 20, 2009, 12:30 CET | Story | B92 Deputy PM Božidar Đelić agreed in Brussels on Friday terms for EU’s assistance to the Serbian budget worth EUR 100mn. "We agreed with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn about the conditions for obtaining budget assistance worth EUR 100mn for our country. We will be able to present that budget assistance on July 3 at the session of the committee of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)," Đelić said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_eutoprovidebudgetassistance_-123005165

Bilateral meetings in Novi Sad Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Leaders of the central European countries gathered for a summit in Novi Sad will spend the third day of the event in bilateral meetings. Participants in 16th Central Europe Summit – regional heads of state and governments – last evening took a walk in downtown Novi Sad, in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, accompanied by Serbian President Boris Tadić, FM Vuk Jeremić and Vojvodina Executive Council President Bojan Pajtić. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bilateralmeetingsinnovisad-115630167

Slovenia confirms first swine flue case Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Slovenia has confirmed that the first case of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in that country. The patient is a woman who traveled from New York to Venice, Italy, and then to Slovenia. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/sloveniaconfirmsfirstswinefluecase-115613210

Iran rally set to go ahead Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A protest rally against a disputed presidential election will go ahead, an aide of defeated candidate Mehdi Karrubi has said. This came a day after Iran’s top authority demanded an end to such street protests. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/iranrallysettogoahead-115556392

U.S. acknowledges role in Afghan civilian deaths Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A long-awaited official report on the deaths of dozens of Afghan civilians during U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan last month became available VOA reports. In it, the U.S. military acknowledges that a bomber crew dropped thousands of pounds of bombs on buildings that may have contained innocent civilians, along with Taliban fighters. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/u_s_acknowledgesroleinafghanciviliandeaths-115539582

Electricity again cut off to Kosovo Serb enclave Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 Several thousands of Serbs in the enclave of Gračanica, in central Kosovo were once again Friday cut off electricity. Tanjug reports that this came due to their refusal to sign collective contracts with the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) on paying for the electric energy. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/electricityagaincutofftokosovoserbenclave-115522735

UNMIK’s present role "political" Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, has a political role now, spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying on Friday. "Our role is somewhat different now, we now have the European Union mission, EULEX, here, which is in charge of the rule of law, which is why UNMIK will be more focused on establishing dialogue among the communities," Geekie told KiM Radio. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/unmik_spresentrole_political_-115505227

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Bulgaria *

Northeastern Bulgaria Plans 600 Wind Power Generators by 2015 Jun 19, 2009, 23:21 CET | Story | Novinite.com Investors are showing tremendous interest in the construction of wind power generators and by 2015 their number in Northeastern Bulgaria is expected to total 600 with a capacity of 1500 MW.The statement was made by Economy and Energy Minister Petar Dimitrov, who spoke at the opening of a round table in the town of Kavarna on the development of wind energy parks in Bulgaria and environment protection.According to the minister investors’ orders so far are for power generators with capacity of 5 200 MW.... http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/northeasternbulgariaplans600windpowergeneratorsby2015-232114494

EBRD Extends EUR 6 M Loan to Bulgaria Transport Company Jun 19, 2009, 23:20 CET | Story | Novinite.com Hebros Bus Ltd, the largest privately owned regional transport operator providing public transport services in Plovdiv and in southern Bulgaria, has received a EUR 6 M loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).The proceeds of the loan will be used to acquire 30 new buses running on natural gas. These will replace old diesel vehicles currently being used in Plovdiv.... http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdextendseur6mloantobulgariatransportcompany-232057761

Bulgaria Cement Factory Zlatna Panega with Large Profit in 2008 Jun 19, 2009, 23:20 CET | Story | Novinite.com The Bulgarian cement producer Zlatna Panega Cement Jsc registered a net profit increase of 46% in 2008.Thus, the country’s 2008 net profit reached BGN 89,5%, and its 2008 sales volume increased by 35,7% compared to 2007 reaching BGN 213 M.In 2008, the factory sold a total of 1 497 000 tons of cement compared to 1 239 000 tons in 2007.... http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bulgariacementfactoryzlatnapanegawithlargeprofitin2008-232040820

Czech Skoda Sole Bidder to Supply Trolleys for Bulgaria Capital Jun 19, 2009, 23:20 CET | Story | Novinite.com The Czech Skoda Electric ended up being the only bidder to supply new trolley cars in the tender of the municipal company "Capital Electric Transport."The tender procedure concluded Friday, the company informs, adding that 4 firms had purchased documents to participate in the tender, but the Czechs ended being the only ones to submit them.... http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/czechskodasolebiddertosupplytrolleysforbulgariacapital-232024109

300 Bulgarian Hotels to Foreclose by End of 2009 Jun 19, 2009, 23:20 CET | Story | Novinite.com Banks in Bulgaria could end up being owners of 300 hotels by the end of the current year due to the reduced tourist numbers.The comment was made by the Director of the Institute for Assessment and Analysis in Tourism, Rumen Draganov.Despite the effort on the part of the banks and the Cabinet to lower interest rates, they have not made any changes in the interest rates for tourism investors, according to Draganov, at the time when many hotel owners experience difficulties in paying off their loans.... http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/300bulgarianhotelstoforeclosebyendof2009-23200710

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Croatia *

Cvetković, ministers in visit to Greece Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 PM Mirko Cvetković will leave on a two-day visit to Athens, where he will attend the official opening of the new Acropolis Museum. This is according to premier’s cabinet announcement late on Friday in Belgrade. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/cvetkovi___ministersinvisittogreece-184022326

Criminal charges filed against Bećković son Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 Serbian police (MUP) say they have filed criminal charges against the son of B92 TV host Olja Bećković. The charges against the minor, now handed over to the First Municipal Court in Belgrade, cite possession of marijuana. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/criminalchargesfiledagainstbe__kovi__son-184005380

"Tension growing" inside DS-G17 camp Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 A high ranking official of the ruling Democrats (DS) says that statements coming from G17 Plus are not jeopardizing the ruling coalition. Still, DS Executive Council President Marko Đurišić was quoted by daily Politika as saying that the said statements are causing "unnecessary tensions". http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_tensiongrowing_insideds-g17camp-163022217

France moves to impose ban on burqa Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 The French government says it may impose restrictions on wearing the burqa, or face-and-body-covering veil. This could come if a parliamentary probe finds the garment degrading for women, VOA reports. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/francemovestoimposebanonburqa-163005183

Visas yes, interim deal no, say Dutch Jun 20, 2009, 15:30 CET | Story | B92 The Dutch FM has repeated that the interim trade deal and the SAA itself cannot be activated without Serbia’s full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was signed in late April 2008, but was immediately suspended. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/visasyes_interimdealno_saydutch-153004595

Gazprom to give Serbia "priority" in gas consumption Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia will have priority using natural gas from the Banatski Dvor underground storage, which is now majority owned by Russia’s Gazprom. This is according to Energy Minister Petar Škundrić, who explained that the move will protect the country in case of future gas crises. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/gazpromtogiveserbia_priority_ingasconsumption-14302238

Air crash families to get payout Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Air France says it is set to pay initial compensation to the families of those killed in the Atlantic air crash on 1 June. Two hundred and twenty-eight people died when a French plane crashed on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/aircrashfamiliestogetpayout-143005110

High rep in surprise visit to RS Jun 20, 2009, 14:00 CET | Story | B92 High Representative in Bosnia Valentin Inzko has today arrived in Banja Luka, RS, where he met with the Bosnian Serb entity’s top officials. He met with Parliament Speaker Igor Radojičić and PM Milorad Dodik. Reporters from Banja Luka assume that they discussed the parliament’s recent decisions regarding the transfer of RS powers to the state level. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/highrepinsurprisevisittors-140005260

World Refugee Day marked in Serbia Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia – home to more than 300,000 refugees and IDPs – is today marking World Refugee Day. Serbia is number one in Europe and number 13 globally when it comes to the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the figure reaching more than 307,000 people. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/worldrefugeedaymarkedinserbia-133021838

EU summit finds agreement on Ireland and Barroso Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Two of the men who emerged with the most to smile about from the summit of the 27 EU leaders were the Irish PM and the president of the European Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso won unanimous backing for another term in the top job. And Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen came away with guarantees on the Lisbon Treaty that are intended to persuade Irish voters into approving the document they have already thrown out. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/eusummitfindsagreementonirelandandbarroso-133004845

"EU to provide budget assistance" Jun 20, 2009, 12:30 CET | Story | B92 Deputy PM Božidar Đelić agreed in Brussels on Friday terms for EU’s assistance to the Serbian budget worth EUR 100mn. "We agreed with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn about the conditions for obtaining budget assistance worth EUR 100mn for our country. We will be able to present that budget assistance on July 3 at the session of the committee of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)," Đelić said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_eutoprovidebudgetassistance_-123005165

Bilateral meetings in Novi Sad Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Leaders of the central European countries gathered for a summit in Novi Sad will spend the third day of the event in bilateral meetings. Participants in 16th Central Europe Summit – regional heads of state and governments – last evening took a walk in downtown Novi Sad, in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, accompanied by Serbian President Boris Tadić, FM Vuk Jeremić and Vojvodina Executive Council President Bojan Pajtić. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bilateralmeetingsinnovisad-115630167

Slovenia confirms first swine flue case Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Slovenia has confirmed that the first case of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in that country. The patient is a woman who traveled from New York to Venice, Italy, and then to Slovenia. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/sloveniaconfirmsfirstswinefluecase-115613210

Iran rally set to go ahead Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A protest rally against a disputed presidential election will go ahead, an aide of defeated candidate Mehdi Karrubi has said. This came a day after Iran’s top authority demanded an end to such street protests. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/iranrallysettogoahead-115556392

U.S. acknowledges role in Afghan civilian deaths Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A long-awaited official report on the deaths of dozens of Afghan civilians during U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan last month became available VOA reports. In it, the U.S. military acknowledges that a bomber crew dropped thousands of pounds of bombs on buildings that may have contained innocent civilians, along with Taliban fighters. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/u_s_acknowledgesroleinafghanciviliandeaths-115539582

Electricity again cut off to Kosovo Serb enclave Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 Several thousands of Serbs in the enclave of Gračanica, in central Kosovo were once again Friday cut off electricity. Tanjug reports that this came due to their refusal to sign collective contracts with the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) on paying for the electric energy. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/electricityagaincutofftokosovoserbenclave-115522735

UNMIK’s present role "political" Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, has a political role now, spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying on Friday. "Our role is somewhat different now, we now have the European Union mission, EULEX, here, which is in charge of the rule of law, which is why UNMIK will be more focused on establishing dialogue among the communities," Geekie told KiM Radio. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/unmik_spresentrole_political_-115505227

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Macedonia *

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Moldova *

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Montenegro *

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Romania *

Romania’s Brasov City To Call Tender for Ski Tracks Upgrade Worth up to 80 Mln Euro - Media Jun 19, 2009, 19:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 19 (SeeNews) – The Romanian city of Brasov will call a tender on August 6 for an upgrade of ski tracks in a nearby resort at an estimated cost of 70 to 80 million euro ($97 million-$111 million), Bucharest-based news agency Mediafax reported on Friday. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/brasovcityhalltocalltenderforupto80mlneuroskitracksupgradingproject-media-185553

* Serbia *

Cvetković, ministers in visit to Greece Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 PM Mirko Cvetković will leave on a two-day visit to Athens, where he will attend the official opening of the new Acropolis Museum. This is according to premier’s cabinet announcement late on Friday in Belgrade. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/cvetkovi___ministersinvisittogreece-184022326

Criminal charges filed against Bećković son Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 Serbian police (MUP) say they have filed criminal charges against the son of B92 TV host Olja Bećković. The charges against the minor, now handed over to the First Municipal Court in Belgrade, cite possession of marijuana. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/criminalchargesfiledagainstbe__kovi__son-184005380

"Tension growing" inside DS-G17 camp Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 A high ranking official of the ruling Democrats (DS) says that statements coming from G17 Plus are not jeopardizing the ruling coalition. Still, DS Executive Council President Marko Đurišić was quoted by daily Politika as saying that the said statements are causing "unnecessary tensions". http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_tensiongrowing_insideds-g17camp-163022217

France moves to impose ban on burqa Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 The French government says it may impose restrictions on wearing the burqa, or face-and-body-covering veil. This could come if a parliamentary probe finds the garment degrading for women, VOA reports. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/francemovestoimposebanonburqa-163005183

Visas yes, interim deal no, say Dutch Jun 20, 2009, 15:30 CET | Story | B92 The Dutch FM has repeated that the interim trade deal and the SAA itself cannot be activated without Serbia’s full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was signed in late April 2008, but was immediately suspended. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/visasyes_interimdealno_saydutch-153004595

Gazprom to give Serbia "priority" in gas consumption Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia will have priority using natural gas from the Banatski Dvor underground storage, which is now majority owned by Russia’s Gazprom. This is according to Energy Minister Petar Škundrić, who explained that the move will protect the country in case of future gas crises. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/gazpromtogiveserbia_priority_ingasconsumption-14302238

Air crash families to get payout Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Air France says it is set to pay initial compensation to the families of those killed in the Atlantic air crash on 1 June. Two hundred and twenty-eight people died when a French plane crashed on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/aircrashfamiliestogetpayout-143005110

High rep in surprise visit to RS Jun 20, 2009, 14:00 CET | Story | B92 High Representative in Bosnia Valentin Inzko has today arrived in Banja Luka, RS, where he met with the Bosnian Serb entity’s top officials. He met with Parliament Speaker Igor Radojičić and PM Milorad Dodik. Reporters from Banja Luka assume that they discussed the parliament’s recent decisions regarding the transfer of RS powers to the state level. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/highrepinsurprisevisittors-140005260

World Refugee Day marked in Serbia Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia – home to more than 300,000 refugees and IDPs – is today marking World Refugee Day. Serbia is number one in Europe and number 13 globally when it comes to the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the figure reaching more than 307,000 people. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/worldrefugeedaymarkedinserbia-133021838

EU summit finds agreement on Ireland and Barroso Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Two of the men who emerged with the most to smile about from the summit of the 27 EU leaders were the Irish PM and the president of the European Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso won unanimous backing for another term in the top job. And Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen came away with guarantees on the Lisbon Treaty that are intended to persuade Irish voters into approving the document they have already thrown out. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/eusummitfindsagreementonirelandandbarroso-133004845

"EU to provide budget assistance" Jun 20, 2009, 12:30 CET | Story | B92 Deputy PM Božidar Đelić agreed in Brussels on Friday terms for EU’s assistance to the Serbian budget worth EUR 100mn. "We agreed with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn about the conditions for obtaining budget assistance worth EUR 100mn for our country. We will be able to present that budget assistance on July 3 at the session of the committee of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)," Đelić said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_eutoprovidebudgetassistance_-123005165

Bilateral meetings in Novi Sad Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Leaders of the central European countries gathered for a summit in Novi Sad will spend the third day of the event in bilateral meetings. Participants in 16th Central Europe Summit – regional heads of state and governments – last evening took a walk in downtown Novi Sad, in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, accompanied by Serbian President Boris Tadić, FM Vuk Jeremić and Vojvodina Executive Council President Bojan Pajtić. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bilateralmeetingsinnovisad-115630167

Slovenia confirms first swine flue case Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Slovenia has confirmed that the first case of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in that country. The patient is a woman who traveled from New York to Venice, Italy, and then to Slovenia. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/sloveniaconfirmsfirstswinefluecase-115613210

Iran rally set to go ahead Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A protest rally against a disputed presidential election will go ahead, an aide of defeated candidate Mehdi Karrubi has said. This came a day after Iran’s top authority demanded an end to such street protests. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/iranrallysettogoahead-115556392

U.S. acknowledges role in Afghan civilian deaths Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A long-awaited official report on the deaths of dozens of Afghan civilians during U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan last month became available VOA reports. In it, the U.S. military acknowledges that a bomber crew dropped thousands of pounds of bombs on buildings that may have contained innocent civilians, along with Taliban fighters. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/u_s_acknowledgesroleinafghanciviliandeaths-115539582

Electricity again cut off to Kosovo Serb enclave Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 Several thousands of Serbs in the enclave of Gračanica, in central Kosovo were once again Friday cut off electricity. Tanjug reports that this came due to their refusal to sign collective contracts with the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) on paying for the electric energy. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/electricityagaincutofftokosovoserbenclave-115522735

UNMIK’s present role "political" Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, has a political role now, spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying on Friday. "Our role is somewhat different now, we now have the European Union mission, EULEX, here, which is in charge of the rule of law, which is why UNMIK will be more focused on establishing dialogue among the communities," Geekie told KiM Radio. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/unmik_spresentrole_political_-115505227

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

* Slovenia *

Cvetković, ministers in visit to Greece Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 PM Mirko Cvetković will leave on a two-day visit to Athens, where he will attend the official opening of the new Acropolis Museum. This is according to premier’s cabinet announcement late on Friday in Belgrade. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/cvetkovi___ministersinvisittogreece-184022326

Criminal charges filed against Bećković son Jun 20, 2009, 18:40 CET | Story | B92 Serbian police (MUP) say they have filed criminal charges against the son of B92 TV host Olja Bećković. The charges against the minor, now handed over to the First Municipal Court in Belgrade, cite possession of marijuana. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/criminalchargesfiledagainstbe__kovi__son-184005380

"Tension growing" inside DS-G17 camp Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 A high ranking official of the ruling Democrats (DS) says that statements coming from G17 Plus are not jeopardizing the ruling coalition. Still, DS Executive Council President Marko Đurišić was quoted by daily Politika as saying that the said statements are causing "unnecessary tensions". http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_tensiongrowing_insideds-g17camp-163022217

France moves to impose ban on burqa Jun 20, 2009, 16:30 CET | Story | B92 The French government says it may impose restrictions on wearing the burqa, or face-and-body-covering veil. This could come if a parliamentary probe finds the garment degrading for women, VOA reports. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/francemovestoimposebanonburqa-163005183

Visas yes, interim deal no, say Dutch Jun 20, 2009, 15:30 CET | Story | B92 The Dutch FM has repeated that the interim trade deal and the SAA itself cannot be activated without Serbia’s full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was signed in late April 2008, but was immediately suspended. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/visasyes_interimdealno_saydutch-153004595

Gazprom to give Serbia "priority" in gas consumption Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia will have priority using natural gas from the Banatski Dvor underground storage, which is now majority owned by Russia’s Gazprom. This is according to Energy Minister Petar Škundrić, who explained that the move will protect the country in case of future gas crises. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/gazpromtogiveserbia_priority_ingasconsumption-14302238

Air crash families to get payout Jun 20, 2009, 14:30 CET | Story | B92 Air France says it is set to pay initial compensation to the families of those killed in the Atlantic air crash on 1 June. Two hundred and twenty-eight people died when a French plane crashed on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/aircrashfamiliestogetpayout-143005110

High rep in surprise visit to RS Jun 20, 2009, 14:00 CET | Story | B92 High Representative in Bosnia Valentin Inzko has today arrived in Banja Luka, RS, where he met with the Bosnian Serb entity’s top officials. He met with Parliament Speaker Igor Radojičić and PM Milorad Dodik. Reporters from Banja Luka assume that they discussed the parliament’s recent decisions regarding the transfer of RS powers to the state level. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/highrepinsurprisevisittors-140005260

World Refugee Day marked in Serbia Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Serbia – home to more than 300,000 refugees and IDPs – is today marking World Refugee Day. Serbia is number one in Europe and number 13 globally when it comes to the number of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), with the figure reaching more than 307,000 people. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/worldrefugeedaymarkedinserbia-133021838

EU summit finds agreement on Ireland and Barroso Jun 20, 2009, 13:30 CET | Story | B92 Two of the men who emerged with the most to smile about from the summit of the 27 EU leaders were the Irish PM and the president of the European Commission. Jose Manuel Barroso won unanimous backing for another term in the top job. And Ireland’s Prime Minister Brian Cowen came away with guarantees on the Lisbon Treaty that are intended to persuade Irish voters into approving the document they have already thrown out. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/eusummitfindsagreementonirelandandbarroso-133004845

"EU to provide budget assistance" Jun 20, 2009, 12:30 CET | Story | B92 Deputy PM Božidar Đelić agreed in Brussels on Friday terms for EU’s assistance to the Serbian budget worth EUR 100mn. "We agreed with Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn about the conditions for obtaining budget assistance worth EUR 100mn for our country. We will be able to present that budget assistance on July 3 at the session of the committee of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)," Đelić said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/_eutoprovidebudgetassistance_-123005165

Bilateral meetings in Novi Sad Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Leaders of the central European countries gathered for a summit in Novi Sad will spend the third day of the event in bilateral meetings. Participants in 16th Central Europe Summit – regional heads of state and governments – last evening took a walk in downtown Novi Sad, in Vojvodina, northern Serbia, accompanied by Serbian President Boris Tadić, FM Vuk Jeremić and Vojvodina Executive Council President Bojan Pajtić. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/bilateralmeetingsinnovisad-115630167

Slovenia confirms first swine flue case Jun 20, 2009, 11:56 CET | Story | B92 Slovenia has confirmed that the first case of the H1N1 flu virus had been diagnosed in that country. The patient is a woman who traveled from New York to Venice, Italy, and then to Slovenia. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/sloveniaconfirmsfirstswinefluecase-115613210

Iran rally set to go ahead Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A protest rally against a disputed presidential election will go ahead, an aide of defeated candidate Mehdi Karrubi has said. This came a day after Iran’s top authority demanded an end to such street protests. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/iranrallysettogoahead-115556392

U.S. acknowledges role in Afghan civilian deaths Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 A long-awaited official report on the deaths of dozens of Afghan civilians during U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan last month became available VOA reports. In it, the U.S. military acknowledges that a bomber crew dropped thousands of pounds of bombs on buildings that may have contained innocent civilians, along with Taliban fighters. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/u_s_acknowledgesroleinafghanciviliandeaths-115539582

Electricity again cut off to Kosovo Serb enclave Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 Several thousands of Serbs in the enclave of Gračanica, in central Kosovo were once again Friday cut off electricity. Tanjug reports that this came due to their refusal to sign collective contracts with the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) on paying for the electric energy. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/electricityagaincutofftokosovoserbenclave-115522735

UNMIK’s present role "political" Jun 20, 2009, 11:55 CET | Story | B92 UN mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, has a political role now, spokesman Russell Geekie was quoted as saying on Friday. "Our role is somewhat different now, we now have the European Union mission, EULEX, here, which is in charge of the rule of law, which is why UNMIK will be more focused on establishing dialogue among the communities," Geekie told KiM Radio. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/unmik_spresentrole_political_-115505227

EBRD To Lend More to Crisis-hit Eastern Europe - Mirow Jun 19, 2009, 19:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LONDON (UK), June 19 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend more to banks and businesses in eastern Europe and former Soviet states as the impact of the global crisis on real economies might worsen, the bank’s president Thomas Mirow said. http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/ebrdtolendmoretocrisis-hiteasterneurope-mirow-184535

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