Joe Biden calls on Kosovo’s government to continue dialogue on normalizing ties with neighboring Serbia

U.S. president Joe Biden has urged Kosovo’s government to continue a dialogue on normalizing relations with neighboring Serbia. “Washington would continue to support efforts to secure a lasting peace through productive dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and ultimately a comprehensive normalization agreement”, Joe Biden wrote in a letter to Kosovo’s new President Vjosa Osmani. “Any agreement between the two countries should be centered on mutual recognition”, Joe Biden further wrote, quoted by the Associated Press.

Bobi Bobev: Idea of redrawing Western Balkans borders is unacceptable

“No one would support such an idea. The hypothetical fulfillment of this idea means that the territories of Albania, Serbia and Croatia would increase significantly at the expense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Montenegro”, Bobi Bobev, former Ambassador of Bulgaria to Montenegro said for the BNR with regard to the latest publication of a non-paper allegedly sent by Slovenia’s Premier Janez Jansa to Brussels. The non-paper allegedly suggests that parts of Republika Srpska would become part of greater Serbia, Croat cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina would become part of greater Croatia and that Albania and Kosovo merge into greater Albania.

In Bobi Bobev’s words, the ideas of creating greater states have traditions in the Balkan region, but only those who are against the Euro-Atlantic perspective of the Western Balkans and wants to create conflicts in the region is interested in spreading such ideas.

Greece and Israel sign USD 1.65 billion defense deal

Israel and Greece have signed their biggest ever defense procurement deal. It includes a contract to the tune of USD 1.65 billion for the establishment and operation of a training center for the Hellenic Air Force by Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems over a 22 year period, reported Horizont channel of the Bulgarian National Radio, referring to Reuters. The training center will be modeled on Israeli’s Flight Academy. It will be equipped with ten M-346 training aircraft manufactured by Italy’s company Leonardo. The Israeli company is to provide equipment for renovation of Greece’s T-6 aircraft. It will also provide training simulators and logistical support.

Romania, Poland and Turkey hold traditional meeting in Bucharest

Romania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau have met in Bucharest to discuss cooperation and the situation in the Black Sea region, reported Radio Romania. The traditional tripartite forum is held annually since 2016. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Georgia and Ukraine joined this year’s forum.

Romania is deeply concerned about the situation in the Black Sea, said this country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Aurescu. During the meeting, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu laid the emphasis on the economic cooperation between Turkey and Romania. “Romania is our biggest trade partner in the Balkans and Turkey is among the biggest investors in Romania”, noted Minister Çavuşoğlu, quoted by the Anadolu Agency.

Russian tourists vaccinated with Sputnik V to be able to visit Greece

The Greek Minister of Tourism Harris Theocharis has visited Russia and met with government officials and representatives of the tourism sector before the start of the tourist season in Greece scheduled for May 15, reported BGNES. Minister Theocharis noted that Greece had decided to recognize the Sputnik V vaccine as equivalent to European vaccines, making it easier for Russian tourists to travel to Greece. “The Russian citizens can visit Greece without having to undergo additional tests”, said Harris Theocharis. As in previous years, the popular Greek islands, including Santorini, are expected to attract a large number of foreign visitors.

Written by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov