Balkan Developments

published on 8/11/23 11:21 AM

Slovenia declares August 14 as a day to support flood victims

Catastrophic flooding in Slovenia was caused by a strong storm that hit the ‎Balkan country. The natural disaster claimed the lives of at least 6 people and ‎caused property damage worth billions of euros. ‎

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said that this was the worst natural ‎disaster in 30 years - 2/3 of the country was devastated, and many people were ‎left without homes, BTA reported. In the tragedy that befell them, the ‎Slovenians showed an enviable unity. Slovenian radio stations joined forces in ‎a campaign to raise funds to help victims, called "One Heart, One Slovenia", ‎and managed to raise almost €2 million in only one day. Through the Poplave 2023 app, ‎launched on August 7, thousands of volunteers declared their readiness to help ‎in any way they can. ‎

Prime Minister Golob announced on his Instagram profile that the government ‎has declared August 14 a day of solidarity. Slovenians will get an additional ‎day off to the weekend to help with the damage removal process from the ‎floods. The EU, NATO and a number of European countries have started to ‎send emergency aid to the affected country. The EU has pledged aid to the ‎tune of 400 million euros.‎

Kosovo asks for US help to join NATO

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, asked the US for help to speed up ‎the procedure for the country's accession to NATO. This happened during ‎Osmani's meeting with American Senator Jack Reed in Pristina, the Albanian ‎editorial of Radio Free Europe reported. ‎

The Kosovo president emphasized that the US "has no greater allies and ‎friends in the region than the Republic of Kosovo" and defined the Kosovo ‎people as "the most pro-American in Europe and the world." She indicated ‎that Kosovo had taken steps to de-escalate tensions in the northern part of the ‎country and highlighted "Serbia's destabilizing actions and its cooperation with ‎Russia". The country is multi-ethnic and the Kosovo constitution guarantees a ‎high level of protection for the rights and freedoms of all communities, assured ‎Osmani. ‎

In an interview with ‎‎"Kosova Press" Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that ‎work is being done to eliminate any problems as quickly as possible in order ‎to hold new elections in the north. He added that Kosovo was interested in a ‎complete de-escalation of tensions in the predominantly Serb-populated ‎region. Tensions there rose in late May when ethnic Albanian mayors took ‎office after local elections boycotted by Serbs.‎

Russians remain the biggest investors in Montenegro

The largest foreign investors in Montenegro for the January-May period this ‎year are Russian citizens, who invested 52.5 million. euro, the Montenegrin ‎agency MINA reported, referring to data from the Central Bank of ‎Montenegro. ‎

Russians have invested the most funds in real estate - 28.9 million euros, and ‎in companies and banks in Montenegro - 12.3 million euros. This shows that ‎regardless of the disturbed diplomatic relations between Montenegro and ‎Russia due to the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, a large ‎number of Russians come to Montenegro together with capital that they invest. ‎

The second largest investors are citizens and companies from Serbia, who ‎invested 48 million euros, of which 26.1 million euros in the purchase of real ‎estate. ‎

Investors from Switzerland are in third place with 39 million euros, writes ‎BTA.‎

The Cosmopolis festival brings musicians from all over the world in ‎Kavala

In the Greek city of Kavala until August 30, the world music festival ‎Cosmopolis is being held for the fourth year. The participants in this edition ‎are from Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Cape Verde, Senegal, Bulgaria and ‎Cyprus. ‎

Various points under the open sky in the Old City of Kavala and the ‎surrounding area become the scene, the main ones being Muhammad Ali ‎Square and the Central Square. Moving from place to place, tourists can enjoy ‎the old buildings steeped in history, buy local olive jam or souvenirs to remind ‎them of their stay in the welcoming city. Most events have free entry. The ‎hosts have tried to create a wonderful atmosphere with musicians with colorful ‎and invigorating music at a high level. But the audience doesn't stay behind ‎and shows that they really know how to have fun. ‎

On August 23, the Bulgarian kaval virtuoso Theodosii Spassov appeared in ‎front of the audience in the Greek city with "No Keys Trio".‎

Photos: AP/BTA, evropaelire.org, sputnikportal.rs, Facebook/Cosmopolis Festival, Facebook/Tabanka