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Balkan Developments

Turkey is dissatisfied with the EU's strategic compass


Turkey's foreign ministry has criticized the EU's adopted Strategic Compass for Crisis Response. The strategy will make the EU not part of the solution, but part of the problems in the Eastern Mediterranean, Anadolu Ajansı reports. In Ankara, they are dissatisfied with the part of the document on the Eastern Mediterranean, which mentions Turkey. The foreign ministry said it was drafted "under the dictation of two EU members who do not respect the rights of Turks in the region and have extreme claims to maritime rights". According to the ministry, this contradicts international law, established practice and even the EU's own legal regulation.

Kosovo wants recognition from Serbia so that Kosovo Serbs can vote on April 3


The United States, France, Italy, Germany and Britain have called on Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from actions and rhetoric that escalate tensions and lead to incidents, according to a joint statement issued by the US State Department, the Associated Press reported. The five welcomed Serbia's readiness for dialogue and expressed disappointment with Pristina's decision to reject their proposal to resolve the differences. The five are unhappy with the rejection of a "constructive proposal" to allow ethnic Serbs in Kosovo to vote on April 3. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the country's constitution requires an agreement with Serbia to hold avoting for the Kosovo residents with dual citizenship for president and parliament of Serbia on April 3.

Montenegro believes "Serbian world" is Ukraine's role in "Russian world"


Belgrade's idea of ​​a "Serbian world" in the Balkans is equivalent to the idea of ​​a "Russian world". This was stated in an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini by Montenegrin President Milo Dukanovic. According to the statesman, the "unresolved issues" since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia are "appropriate ground for the destruction and stagnation of the region's European integration in recent years". Dukanovic adds that "Greater Serbia and Russia have been oppressed in Montenegro in a political crisis whose end is not in sight." from atheism "and that Montenegro is expected to be a small Ukraine."

Dukanovic quoted Serbian Metropolitan Ioannicius of Montenegro as saying that "events in Ukraine are a consequence of atheism" and that "Montenegro is expected to be a small Ukraine".

Greece's top diplomat wants to personally lead a humanitarian mission in Mariupol


Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias has said he wants to personally lead a humanitarian mission in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, where thousands of Greeks live, BTA reports. Dendias said Greece's priority was to protect unarmed civilians and ethnic Greeks in Mariupol, adding that he had already notified Ukrainian and Russian authorities of the humanitarian action.

"I intend to personally lead this rescue mission," he said after meeting with Greek Consul General in Mariupol Manolis Androulakis, the last EU diplomat to leave the besieged Ukrainian port. Dendias said he was coordinating with the Red Cross. Since the start of the war in Mariupol, at least 10 Greeks have been killed, several dozen wounded and about 150 evacuated.

Albania is in an energy crisis


Albania has ordered all cities to turn off lights in public buildings and streets if necessary, due to the energy crisis caused by a lack of rainfall and a spike in electricity prices. The state energy company KESH has shut down 11 of the 13 water turbines. Only the cascade oн the Drina River is currently operational.

Spring water shortages have forced Albania to import most of its electricity. The country of 2.8 million people has no fossil fuel facilities. All electricity production depends on hydropower, and the last dry months and overuse of water have exacerbated the already difficult situation.

Tirana refuses to raise electricity prices for households and covers the cost of importing electricity from the state budget. For 2022, it has set aside 550 million euros for the subsidies but according to experts, at least 1 billion is needed.

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov

English version Rositsa Petkova

Photos: mfa.gov.tr, EPA/BGNES, kesh.al

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