Balkan developments

published on 8/20/21 12:33 PM

The Balkans and the Afghan refugees

Turkey does not have any obligation whatsoever to become a safe haven for Afghan refugees, Turkey’s President Recep Erdogan said late Thursday after a cabinet meeting, quoted by BNR’s Horozont channel. President Erdogan called on the European countries to shoulder the responsibility for Afghans fleeing the Taliban.

Greece is taking measures to avoid the repeat of mass arrivals of migrants that the country experienced in 2015, when the Aegean islands and the Greece-Turkey land border were flooded by refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, said the Spokesperson of the Greek cabinet Yannis Economou.

Montenegro will not accept refugees fleeing Afghanistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro announced that by joining the statement of about 100 countries in support of the Afghan people, Montenegro did not oblige to temporarily accept the residents of Afghanistan who helped the allied forces, since such an obligation is not foreseen by this statement.

Albania is ready to shelter at least 3,000 Afghan refugees if needed, because I remember what it was like for Albanians, this country’s Premier Edi Rama said speaking to Italian newspaper Il Foglio, quoted by BGNES. Edi Rama also called the Europeans who deny shelter to refugees “hypocrites”.

Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo are the first European countries to offer temporary asylum to Afghan refugees who worked with the US military, writes Politico. Many of them are civilians who are waiting to receive US visas.

Greece’s tourism booms despite Covid-19 restrictions

Greece’s tourism booms, despite the stringent anti-epidemic measures and the increased number of people infected with coronavirus. August has been very successful for this country’s tourism, Greece’s Ministry of Tourism announced and voiced hopes that September will be successful as well, reported the correspondent of the Bulgarian National Radio in Greece Katya Peeva. Bulgarian and Romanian tourists make up for the lack of Russian holidaymakers, note local travel agencies. Northern Greece is visited mainly by Bulgarian and Romanian tourists who refrain from travelling by ferryboats to the Greek islands, comment Greece’s tour operators. Hotel occupancy on the Greek islands also exceeds 80%, despite the Covid-19 restrictions introduced by the authorities. All hotels on Mykonos and Santorini islands are fully booked for September.

Restaurants in North Macedonia require vaccine certificates

North Macedonia has introduced new anti-epidemic measures. Those who want to visit a café or a restaurant must present a certificate of at least one Covid-19 vaccination, reported the Bulgarian National Television. The government has introduced hefty fines for those who disobey the measures, ranging from EUR 250 for individuals to up to EUR 30,000 for legal entities, announced the State Market Inspectorate. On August 16, new measures restricting the freedom of movement of unvaccinated people came into force in North Macedonia.

Wim Wenders awarded the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo

The famous German Director Wim Wenders was awarded the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo during the 27^th Sarajevo Film Festival. Wenders was awarded for his outstanding contribution to film art. “I have the feeling that all my dreams have come true. The eyes are a precious instrument, but the most important organ of a filmmaker is his heart”, said seventy-six-year-old Wim Wenders during the award ceremony.

The Sarajevo Film Festival was founded in the 1990’s as a symbol of resistance during the siege of the city. Over the years, it became the most prominent film festival in the Balkans.

Written by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: EPA/BGNES