Skopje and Tirana call on Bulgaria to open the way to EU accession talks

I hope that Bulgaria will be able to form a regular government after the third general elections, which would unblock the process of North Macedonia’s EU integration, said this country’s Premier Zoran Zaev within the frameworks of the Bled Strategic Forum. Premier Zaev said he hoped that the positive decision would come at the end of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU in December, reported BGNES.

Albania’s Premier Edi Rama also called on Sofia to lift the veto on North Macedonia, so that North Macedonia and Albania can launch accession negotiations: “You Bulgarians, don’t’ be so typical of the EU, be more Balkanized, open the way to the talks”, Edi Rama told President Radev during the Bled Strategic Forum.

Mevlut Cavisoglu: The international community must act in unity and solidarity on Afghanistan

The international community must act in unity and solidarity on Afghanistan and increase its aid and support efforts, said Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavisoglu, reported the Turkish Radio and Television. Thus, a bigger refugee wave can be avoided, said Minister Cavisoglu. “Now we must focus on the establishment of peace, comfort and stability in Afghanistan. Primarily, a power vacuum should be avoided for the protection of the safety and life and property of the people”, Mevlut Cavisoglu told the Serbian newspaper Politika. “In this frame, we wish the formation of an inclusive government that will represent all Afghans”.

Turkey is unable to cope with another migrant wave and the international community must urgently take responsibility to solve this issue, the Spokesperson of the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin noted at a meeting with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths

Kosovo welcomes the first Afghan refugees

The first groups of Afghan refugees arrived in Pristina onboard a US military plane, reported, RTS. More than 200 people, including children and middle-aged people, were onboard. They were welcomed at the Pristina Airport by the US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip S. Kosnett, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani and this country’s Premier Albin Kurti. Nearly 2,000 Afghan refugees are expected to arrive in Kosovo. The Afghan nationals who worked with NATO, and their family members, will stay in the Balkan country temporarily until they are issued documents for long-term residence in the USA. They will be accommodated at a refugee camp near the US military base Bondsteel near the town of Uroshevac.

Serbia opens a third Covid-19 hospital

A new hospital for the treatment of Covid-19 patients opened in the Serbian town of Novi Sad. It has the capacity to accommodate more than 600 patients diagnosed with coronavirus infection. This is the third Covid-19 hospital in Serbia. This country has already opened such hospitals in the capital Belgrade and the town of Krusevac, reported BGNES.

Nearly EUR 33 million has been invested in the construction of the specialized hospital. Another EUR 17 million was invested in medical equipment, which guarantees that patients will receive a high-level service, said this country’s Premier Ana Brnabic during the official opening. The new Covid-19 hospital in Novi Sad is expected to be converted into a multi profile hospital after the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The world has lost a legend

Greece has announced a three days of mourning in memory of composer Mikis Theodorakis who passed away at the age of 96. Hundreds of Greeks gathered in front of his house in Athens after they learned the news. The medics protesting in front of the Ministry of Health lowered the flags and sang songs by Theodorakis. “Today, we have lost part of the soul of Greece”, said Greece’s Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

Mikis Theodorakis was not only a great composer, but a great politician, who managed to unite everyone in moments of national tension, reported the correspondent of the BNR in Greece Katya Peeva.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

Photos: BGNES, EPA/BGNES, Reuters, srbija.gov.rs, german-documentaries.de