Macedonia writes off debts of its poorest citizens

The most vulnerable citizens in Macedonia can now file applications to the nearest social assistance offices to write off part of their debts. The authorities are to write off debts which emerged until December 31, 2013 regarding consumed electricity, central heating, consumer’s loans, etc. People on social benefits, unemployed for a period of over 12 months, nationals exposed to social risk to due the death of their marriage couple, or ones with disability or severe illness emerged over the past 5 years can file such applications.

Gunshots against Turkish embassy in Moscow

A man opened fire against the Turkish embassy in Moscow on Monday. No people were wounded during the accident. The aggressor was targeting the sign Embassy of the Republic of Turkey right after he parked his car nearby. The guards of the embassy detained the attacker and later took him to the police department for interrogation. The authorities found out that the aggressor was a forty six- year-old Armenian national.

Bulgarian and Romanian policemen hold joint operations

Twenty Romanian and eleven Bulgarian policemen have completed inspections in the southern Romanian districts of Calarasi, Constanta, Dolj and Giurgiu of three hundred and ten automobiles, of which one hundred ninety seven were registered in Romania and ninety eight were registered in Bulgaria. One crime was registered as a result of the inspection. A total of one hundred and thirteen sanctions to the tune of 20,000 Romanian Leu were imposed. Meanwhile, seven Bulgarian and five Romanian policemen were making inspections on Bulgarian territory. They checked fifty three cars, of which fifteen were registered in Bulgaria and thirty two-in Romania. The policemen imposed twelve sanctions worth EUR 300.

Ukraine withdraws armed forces from Kosovo

Ukraine is to withdraw most of its troops from the KFOR NATO-led peace-keeping mission in Kosovo. The Ukrainian soldiers will be replaced by Hungarian peacekeepers. Ukraine has 160 military men in KFOR and Hungary-over 200. Some Ukrainian soldiers will stay in Kosovo though, but NATO did not specify their number. Currently around 5,000 military men participate in the NATO peace operation in Kosovo.

Greece credit rating on the rise

The International rating agency Moody’s has lifted up the rating of the Greek structured bonds. The agency assessed the Greek bonds with a Ba3 rating. The agency notes that the increased credit rating of this country is a result of the improved economic perspectives in Greece, the improved financial condition over the past twelve months and the reduced debt burden over the Greek cabinet.

Slovenia has new Prime Minister

The President of Slovenia Borut Pahor has proposed Miro Cerar to become the country’s Premier after the elections in July won convincingly by the newly-established center-left party led by Miro Cerar. The National Assembly of Slovenia has to confirm the appointment of the fifty-year-old newcomer until August 26. Later Cerar will have fifteen days to form and present his cabinet which is also to be approved by the country’s Parliament. The political party headed by the Slovenian politician and lawyer Cerar won the majority of the votes at the early Parliamentary elections held on July 13 and has 36 MPs at the National Assembly, which consist of a total of 90 MPs. A majority of 46 MPs is needed for the appointment of a new Prime Minister in this country.

Cyprus gives green light for UK air strikes in Iraq

The Republic of Cyprus does not object to air strikes in Iraq carried out by Great Britain. For the purpose, the British air bases on this island will be used, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yannis Kasulidis. He added that if Great Britain wants to conduct air strikes against the Jihadists from the Islamic State in Iraq, the Republic of Cyprus will not have anything against such operation.

Bosnia and Herzegovina recovers from flooding

The European Union is planning to provide shelter to some 14,000 people in Bosnia and Herzegovina who were affected by the flooding in May. The renovation of schools, hospitals, roads and water conduits has already started and the EU is making efforts to open another 2,000 jobs in the regions affected by the flooding. The representative of the EU delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina said that some EUR 85 million is to be spent before a given progress is registered.

English version: Kostadin Atanasov