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Balkan developments

Ankara prepares action plan in connection with independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan

Photo: BGNESOn September 22 Turkey is to announce an action plan with relation to the referendum for independence in Iraq’s Kurdish region, Turkeys’ President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. Turkey insists on the preservation of the territorial integrity of Iraq. Turkey and Iraq share a 350 kilometer-long border. The authorities in the autonomous regions Iraqi Kurdistan scheduled an independence referendum for September 25, 2017, without paying attention to the position of the central authorities. Baghdad already announced that Iraq would not recognize the results of that referendum and Iran and Turkey later backed Iraq’s statement.

Romanian migrant route to Western Europe emerges

Photo: BGNESOn occasion of the recent efforts of migrants to enter Romania illegally a spokesperson of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) commented that migrant smugglers have been trying to find a new migrant route to Europe through the Black Sea. Hundreds of refugees in the city of Timisoara situated near the Romania-Hungary border are waiting for an opportunity to cross the state border. A direct crossing between Serbia and Hungary has become impossible, because of the barbed wire fencing that was built between the two countries, while the Romania-Hungary border remains open. According to data of Romania’s Border Police, over 1,200 people have been detained since the beginning of 2017 in their attempt to cross that country’s western border, whereas in 2016 their number amounted to 900 only.

Serbia launches motorway section connecting Pirot and Bulgaria-Serbia border

Photo: BGNESThe motorway section connecting the town of Pirot and the Bulgaria-Serbia border was officially unveiled in Serbia. The motorway is part of the Pan-European Transport Corridor 10. Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić announced that by the end of 2017 almost the whole east-bound motorway will be completed, except for the section connecting Bancarevo and Crvena Reka. In May next year Serbia will complete its motorway and when Bulgaria constructs the motorway on its territory we will travel on a motorway all the way to Istanbul, President Vučić commented.

NATO warships arrive in Montenegro

Photo: vijesti.meTwo British, a French and a Greek warships, part of the NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group Two (SNMCMG2), arrived at Montenegro’s port Bar. Montenegro’s Ministry of Defense announced that the visit of NATO warships aimed at enhancing cooperation with Montenegro’s naval forces. The warships will stay at Bar port until September 20.

Kosovo to have its own army by end 2017

Photo: BGNESKosovo will have its own army by the end of 2017, that country’s President Hashim Thaçi told RTK TV channel. That is why, some amendments to the state Constitution may be made in relation to that move. Pristina intends to have a modern, multinational and professional army, in order to give good perspectives for Kosovo’s NATO membership. The whole process will go in partnership with the USA, NATO and the EU.

Serbia’s Premier Brnabic participates at Pride Parade in Belgrade

Photo: BGNESSerbia’s Premier Ana Brnabic (R) took part at the gay parade in Belgrade. Belgrade’s Mayor Siniša Mali and two Ministers of the Serbian cabinet also participated at the Belgrade Pride. Brnabic who is Serbia’s first openly gay person of such position also attended last year’s gay pride parade. In 2016 Brnabic served as Minister for Public Administration and Local Self-Government. The previous gay parades in Serbia’s capital Belgrade were marked with street violence. That is why enhanced security measures were taken for this year’s edition of Belgrade Pride.

Written by: Stoimen Pavlov
English version: Kostadin Atanasov


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