"Bosnian politicians have criticised Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa's comments that Bosnia and Herzegovina poses a bigger threat to regional stability in the Balkans, than Kosovo.
The ruling Bosniak Party of Democratic Action, SDA, said Jansa's comments were unacceptable, ambiguous and required explanation, Bosnian media reported on Wednesday.
Slovenia currently holds the rotating European Union presidency and Prime Minister Jansa was hosting EU officials when he made the controversial remarks on Monday..
'Bosnia and Herzegovina is a more serious problem for the stability of the western Balkans', the Slovenian Premier told delegates at talks just outside the capital Ljubljana.
'For Kosovo it's clear what will happen, it's more a question of how to do it', Jansa said, hinting that the province's ethnic Albanian majority will inevitably gain independence from Serbia.
'For Bosnia the question is: are the Dayton agreements working? First we have to see if the Dayton agreement works.' He added that in the long term, 'it's not possible to have a state that cannot rule itself and needs international governors.'
The SDA claimed Jansa's arguments were reckless."
Source: BalkanInsight.com
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Cracks Appear in Slovenia's Model Facade
"The Slovenians began expressing their frustrations in late November, when around 70,000 people took to the streets in Ljubljana -- a massive demonstration for such a small country. In what was the largest rally since the Slovenians proclaimed their independence, trade unions, students and pensioners protested against the rising cost of living and demanded more social justice.
Slovenia's inflation rate of 5.7 percent -- the highest in the euro zone -- does give rise for concern. In early November, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy Joaquín Almunia even felt the need to issue a public warning to Slovenia, a model economy until then. An inflation rate higher than 3 percent, Almunia said, sends 'a bad signal' to the countries next in line for Euro-zone membership."
Source: Business Week
Slovenia's inflation rate of 5.7 percent -- the highest in the euro zone -- does give rise for concern. In early November, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy Joaquín Almunia even felt the need to issue a public warning to Slovenia, a model economy until then. An inflation rate higher than 3 percent, Almunia said, sends 'a bad signal' to the countries next in line for Euro-zone membership."
Source: Business Week
EU warns Zagreb over Adriatic fishing restrictions
"The European Union has warned Croatia it will damage its chances of joining the EU by setting up a protected fishing zone in the Adriatic Sea aimed at EU members Italy and Slovenia.
Croatia is involved in maritime border issues with Slovenia and alleges that Italian fishermen have taken Croatian sea fishing stocks, Croatian media reported.
Slovenia, which took over the six-month rotating EU presidency Tuesday from Portugal, said Croatia's unilateral proclamationof the protected fishing zone violated the sovereignty of Slovenia."
Source: AKI
Croatia is involved in maritime border issues with Slovenia and alleges that Italian fishermen have taken Croatian sea fishing stocks, Croatian media reported.
Slovenia, which took over the six-month rotating EU presidency Tuesday from Portugal, said Croatia's unilateral proclamationof the protected fishing zone violated the sovereignty of Slovenia."
Source: AKI
Slovenia Takes Over EU Presidency
“Slovenia took over on Tuesday from Portugal the six-month EU's rotating presidency, expected to be dominated by the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and the Kosovo issue, among others.
‘The agenda on the table is highly diverse. The main focus will be on the Lisbon Strategy, energy and climate change, the Western Balkans, the ratification of the new treaty and intercultural dialogues,’ Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said in his welcome address on the presidency's website. …” [Xinhua (01/01)/Factiva]
AP notes that “…There are worries that Kosovo independence could trigger new violence in the Balkans and European governments expect Slovenia …to use its past ties to help reach a solution. …Slovenia also is expected to push for other former Yugoslav countries to join the EU.
…” [The Associated Press (01/01)/Factiva]"
Source: World Bank News & Broadcast
‘The agenda on the table is highly diverse. The main focus will be on the Lisbon Strategy, energy and climate change, the Western Balkans, the ratification of the new treaty and intercultural dialogues,’ Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa said in his welcome address on the presidency's website. …” [Xinhua (01/01)/Factiva]
AP notes that “…There are worries that Kosovo independence could trigger new violence in the Balkans and European governments expect Slovenia …to use its past ties to help reach a solution. …Slovenia also is expected to push for other former Yugoslav countries to join the EU.
…” [The Associated Press (01/01)/Factiva]"
Source: World Bank News & Broadcast
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Celebrations at Schengen Passes with Italy
"Trieste, 20th December - Italy and Slovenia are about to write another page in their history, following Ljubljana's entry to the European Union and the single currency. From midnight tonight frontier barriers will disappear, and from tomorrow onwards all passes will be free to traffic, without even the need to display an identity card. Ceremonies are already underway today to mark the entry of Slovenia into the Schengen area. They are to culminate with Saturday's most high-profile celebration, which is to take place in Rabuiese, in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Manuel Jose' Barroso and of Italy's Interior Minister Giuliano Amato."
Source: AGI News On
Source: AGI News On
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Croatia May Back Down on Fishing Zone
"Croatia is likely to ease a planned enforcement of a protected fishing zone in the Adriatic in January, which has angered neighbours and worried the European Commission, President Stjepan Mesic said on Tuesday.
'We want to join the European Union and it is difficult to imagine that the (zone) will be enforced in its current form,' Mesic, who visited Brussels last week, told state radio.
Croatia, which hopes to become an EU member around 2010, is due to apply the zone, which covers roughly 56,000 square km, from Jan. 1 to preserve fish stocks and limit pollution. The plan is opposed by EU members Italy and Slovenia.
'I expect a compromise, a temporary solution until we join the EU. It is now important that experts agree on how to protect the Adriatic and regulate fishing quotas,' Mesic said."
Source: Javno
'We want to join the European Union and it is difficult to imagine that the (zone) will be enforced in its current form,' Mesic, who visited Brussels last week, told state radio.
Croatia, which hopes to become an EU member around 2010, is due to apply the zone, which covers roughly 56,000 square km, from Jan. 1 to preserve fish stocks and limit pollution. The plan is opposed by EU members Italy and Slovenia.
'I expect a compromise, a temporary solution until we join the EU. It is now important that experts agree on how to protect the Adriatic and regulate fishing quotas,' Mesic said."
Source: Javno
Slovenia denies plan for Kosovo independence
"Janez Janša has refuted the International Herald Tribune’s claims regarding a plan for Kosovo independence.
The Tribune yesterday writes that Slovenia has prepared a plan for Kosovo independence to be implemented in the first two months of 2008, and within 48 hours of Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany recognizing the province’s independence.
Afterwards, the United States and other countries would recognize Kosovo’s independence, adding that the plan involves a “carefully prepared declaration of independence from Priština, some time after the Serbian elections in early February,“ the Herald Tribune writes, quoting “high European Union officials“ as sources.
The daily says that Slovenia will present the plan in January on assuming the EU presidency, though after the EU meeting in Lisbon, Slovenian Prime Minister Janša dismissed the claims while talking to reporters."
Source: B92
The Tribune yesterday writes that Slovenia has prepared a plan for Kosovo independence to be implemented in the first two months of 2008, and within 48 hours of Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany recognizing the province’s independence.
Afterwards, the United States and other countries would recognize Kosovo’s independence, adding that the plan involves a “carefully prepared declaration of independence from Priština, some time after the Serbian elections in early February,“ the Herald Tribune writes, quoting “high European Union officials“ as sources.
The daily says that Slovenia will present the plan in January on assuming the EU presidency, though after the EU meeting in Lisbon, Slovenian Prime Minister Janša dismissed the claims while talking to reporters."
Source: B92
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