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SETimes

2010-03-11, Bulgaria's GERB pushes to oust Parvanov

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov is facing possible impeachment for disclosing the contents of a recent conversation with Finance Minister Simeon Djankov.
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2010-03-11, Flap over genocide resolution strains Turkish-US ties

Saying it is a matter of national honour, Ankara voices anger over a non-binding resolution that describes the WWI-era massacre of Armenians as genocide.
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2010-03-11, Kosovo deports self-proclaimed imam, closes mosque

Self-proclaimed imam Xhemajl (Kastriot) Duka -- an Albanian -- is kicked out of Kosovo based on laws regulating residency for foreigners. Pristina is cracking down on Islamist extremists throughout the republic.
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2010-03-11, European Socialists voice support for Albanian opposition

STRASBOURG, France -- Members of the Party of European Socialists (PES) voiced their support Wednesday (March 10th) for efforts by Albania's oppositi...
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2010-03-11, Turkey, IMF terminate talks

ANKARA, Turkey -- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday (March 10th) that Ankara and the IMF have agreed to discontinue talks on...
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2010-03-11, Romania's PDL fails to remove Geoana as Senate speaker

BUCHAREST, Romania -- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (PDL) on Wednesday (March 10th) failed again to remove Mircea Geoana, of the Social Democra...
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2010-03-11, Greece paralysed by nationwide strike

ATHENS, Greece -- Thousands of workers walked off their jobs on Thursday (March 11th), the third 24-hour general strike in a month. The action, organ...
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2010-03-11, Turkey lowers earthquake death toll

ANKARA, Turkey -- Authorities on Wednesday (March 10th) lowered the death toll from the strong earthquake that rocked eastern Turkey last week, from...
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2010-03-11, Hackers arrested in Turkey

ANKARA, Turkey -- Police announced on Wednesday (March 10th) the arrests of 23 hackers linked to the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), who at...
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2010-03-11, UK releases BiH's Ganic on bail

LONDON, United Kingdom -- A London court released former Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) presidency member Ejup Ganic on bail Thursday (March 11th), pen...
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2010-03-11, Karadzic seeks another delay in Hague trial

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands -- Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic lodged an appeal Wednesday (March 10th) against the UN war crimes tribunal'...
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2010-03-11, BiH charges three with war crimes

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- Prosecutors filed charges Wednesday (March 10th) against three former Bosnian army members for war crimes c...
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2010-03-11, New checkpoint opens between BiH, Montenegro

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- Security Minister Sadik Ahmetovic and the head of the European Commission (EC) delegation to BiH, Dimitris...
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2010-03-11, BiH's Spiric meets EU Commissioner Malmstrom

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Prime Minister Nikola Spiric briefed EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom on Wednesday (M...
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2010-03-11, Bill would give Albanian prime minister more power

TIRANA, Albania -- A parliamentary committee adopted a draft law Wednesday (March 10th) on the State Intelligence Service (SHISH) which, if passed, w...
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2010-03-11, KFOR restores relations with Kosovo Security Force

PRISTINA, Kosovo -- KFOR has restored relations with the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) after almost a week of tension, the NATO-led force announced on...
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2010-03-11, EP panel supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo

STRASBOURG, France -- Representatives of the European Parliament (EP) Foreign Affairs Committee in Strasbourg have promised Kosovo Foreign Minister S...
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2010-03-10, Culture and Sports: Sarajevo hosts film festival

Sarajevo screens films from around the world as host of a big cinema event. Also in culture and sports news: Bulgarian poet Lubomir Levchev is honoured in Macedonia, and Armand Duka is re-elected head of the Football Association of Albania.
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2010-03-08, Facebook has a friend in Southeast Europe

As interest in social media takes off in the region, even presidents are getting into the act.
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BIRN

2009-09-24, Serbia’s Roma Put Hope in Farm Cooperative

A pioneering enterprise in Vojvodina gives farmers from the Roma community greater access to the market.
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2009-09-24, Relocating Displaced Roma in Belgrade

The Belgrade authorities say plans to move hundreds of Roma residents from their slum will go ahead, in spite of opposition from other inhabitants of the city who do not want the Roma as their neighbours.
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2009-09-24, Roma Internet Center Breaks Prejudices

Community sets up Roma internet center to boost minority’s education level.
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2009-09-24, Serbia Helps Roma Students

With little schooling or financial resources, it is tough for Serbia’s Roma to make it to university, but the government’s affirmative action is beginning to signal a change for the better.
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2009-09-24, Serbia’s Roma Media Fight for Survival

Roma-language TV and radio have experienced difficulties with the regulatory authorities, but Roma broadcasters continue to reach a substantial audience.
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2009-09-24, Kosovo: a Gunrunners’ Paradise

Legal loopholes and ineffective law enforcement have been a blessing for Kosovo gunrunners who have benefited from the authorities’ failure to address the problem.

By Krenar Gashi in Pristina

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2009-09-24, Comment: Who will Run Croatia?

Uncertainty over the make-up of Croatia’s new government causes few concerns outside the country as it prepares to become the next member of the EU and NATO.

By Christopher Cviic in London
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2009-09-24, Kosovo: A Chapter Closes

Serbia’s reliance on Russia to keep Kosovo appears to have backfired by prompting EU countries to line up behind the independence option in order to show their unity.

By Tim Judah in London
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2009-09-24, Tirana - Choking on Growth

Albania’s capital becomes a victim of its own phenomenal growth, as the city’s environmental problems multiply. 
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2009-09-24, Romania: Who Cares About Politics?

Voters’ disappointment and ignorance marred Romania’s first European elections, while a referendum on changing the electoral system failed due to low turnout.

By Marian Chiriac in Bucharest
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The Earth Times

2010-01-28, Cold spell claims nine more Romanian lives, first victims in Serbia

Bucharest/Belgrade - The cold wave which has gripped the Balkans for days took 11 more lives Thursday, raising the death toll in Romania to 53, while Serbia reported its first deaths. Romania reported nine more casualties in the past 24 hours, bringi...
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Reporter

2009-12-18, Greece to pass tax reform bill till March

Greece expects to pass a tax reform bill early March, with a view to boosting revenues from 2011, the country's finance minister said on Friday, adding the legislation was key to shore up public finances.
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2009-12-18, Slovenia: Gorenje sees EUR 10 M profit in 2010

The supervisors of household appliance maker Gorenje confirmed on Thursday the targets for next year, projecting EUR 1.24bn in sales revenues and a net profit of EUR 10.09m. According to a press release by the Velenje-based company, sales revenues are expected to reach EUR 1.16bn this year, a 12.8% decrease on 2008.
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2009-12-18, Bulgaria: Eurohold Bulgaria to guarantee loan of EUR 10 M

At an extraordinary meeting on January 18, shareholders of Eurohold Bulgaria will vote on a proposal to guarantee a loan of EUR 10 mln provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to Eurohold’s leasing unit Eurolease Auto, the conglomerate said in a statement. EBRD requires cofinancing from Bulgarian banks at the amount of EUR 25 mln for 2010. Eurohold Bulgaria must guarantee the combined loans as an additional condition for financing from the EBRD.
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2009-12-16, Turkey: Unemployment rate remains unchanged at 13.4% in Sep'09

Turkish unemployment rate for Sep'09 (Aug-Sep-Oct period) as 13.4%, unchanged vis-à-vis Aug'09. Non-farm unemployment rate receded slightly to 16.9% in Sep'09 from 17% in Aug'09.
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2009-12-16, Croatia: Atlantska plovidba sees net loss of USD 4 -6 M in 2010

On a press conference held on Tuesday, December 15, CEO of the company, Mr. Ante Jerkovic announced that figures for the end of the year will be satisfying and above expectations. Company should reach a net loss of between USD 4mn and USD 6mn, which is above their previous FY09 estimates of USD 30mn in net loss, said by Jerkovic.
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2009-12-16, Bulgaria turns to current account gap on weak tourism revenues

On weak toursim revenues, the current account slipped back to the red in October, show figures of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB). The shortfall totalled EUR 252 M (down 78% YoY) compared to a break-even current account in September and surpluses of over EUR 214 M and EUR 134 M for August and July, respectively.
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2009-12-15, Bulgaria: BNB sees earnings down to BGN 80.2 M in 2010

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) sees its earnings at BGN 80.2 mln in 2010, down from BGN 456.0 mln projected for 2009, the central bank’s draft budget showed. The central bank expects the income from the management of its international currency reserve to diminish to BGN 161 mln in 2010 as a result of the financial crisis, vs. BGN 491.6 mln projected for 2009. BNB expects an annual increase of 5.2% in its currency reserves to BGN 22.5 bn in 2010.
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2009-12-15, Slovenia: Unemployment to surpass 100,000 in early 2010

Labour Minister Ivan Svetlik told parliament on Monday that the jobless figure is anticipated to rise beyond 100,000 early next year, after standing at around 97,000 at the end of the year. Answering a question from an opposition MP, Svetlik told questions time at the outset of the December plenary of the National Assembly that the number of unemployed at the end of March 2010 is expected to stand at 101,000.
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2009-12-14, Turkey: Court closes down pro-Kurdish party

Turkey's High the Court closed pro-kurdish partym DTP and imposed a political ban on 37 party members including two prominent MPs. The immediate consequence of the ruling will be on parliamentary arithmetic as DTP MPs announced that they would pull out from the parliament.
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2009-12-14, Bulgaria: Gov't to collect about BGN 400 M from state-owned companies

The Government plans to collect about BGN 400m from state-owned companies such as SofiaAirport, Bulgarian Energy Holding, Air Traffic Control and Kinteks, a distributor of military-relatedproducts. Separately the Prime Minister announced that 1.1 million retired people will receive aChristmas bonus of BGN 25 in the beginning of January. The eligible persons are those with amonthly pension of below BGN 200.
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2009-12-14, Croatia: Institut IGH to have tough next year - CEO

On a Christmas banquet held for partners and journalists, Mr. Jure Radic, CEO of Institut IGH announced tough year 2010. According to announcement, following year should be tough as was the current one. Although this year was year of the crisis and development stagnation, business result will be very positive and one of the best years for the company.
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2009-12-11, Cyprus: Billateral negotiations to speed up in a bid for final settlement

Leaders of the Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus are speeding up their 16-month long negotiations in a bid to reach a settlement by next March.
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2009-12-11, Turkey Economy contracts 3,3% in Q309

Turkey's economy contracted 3.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2009, Turkey's statistics authority, TUIK, said Thursday.
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2009-12-11, Greece: C-Bank advises bank to limit ECB exposure

Greece's central bank Governor had recently advised domestic banks to limit their ECB exposure.Nevertheless, sources said that the four largest domestic banks are considering participating in next week’s LTRO.
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2009-12-11, Greece: Govt plans to revamp 2010 budget

According to sources, following the market turmoil, the government plans to revamp its proposed 2010 budget and introduce new stricter measures to deal with the country’s deficit.
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2009-12-11, Croatia: Construction works down 9.4% in September

Central Bureau of Statistics announced figures for construction sector in September. Construction work went down by 9.4% y/y while on the cumulative level, drop amounted to 4.4% y/y in the first nine months. New building still dominate in the structure of construction work, however their stake somewhat weakened from 63.2% to 59.4% in the total construction work. In October there were 1,114 building permits issued which represents a drop of 12.1 y/y. Unlike data for finalized construction work which is almost equally balanced between buildings and civil engineering work, new building permits are 87.4% issued for buildings.
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2009-12-11, Bulgaria's GDP contracts 5.4% in Q3/2009

Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a preliminary 5.4% y-oy bn in real terms to BGN 18.056 in Q3’ 2009, while aggregate GDP dropped by an annual 4.7% to BGN 48.339 bn in the nine-months through September, data of the National Statistics Office (NSI) indicated on Thursday.
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2009-12-08, Greece: Fitch Downgrades Greece to 'BBB+'; Outlook Negative

Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by a preliminary 5.4% y-oy bn in real terms to BGN 18.056 in Q3’ 2009, while aggregate GDP dropped by an annual 4.7% to BGN 48.339 bn in the nine-months through September, data of the National Statistics Office (NSI) indicated on Thursday.
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2009-12-08, Turkey: Fitch's upgrade confirms Turkey's resilience- Minister

Foreign Trade Minister Zafer Çağlayan said during a ceremony that that international credit rating agency Fitch’s decision on Thursday to upgrade Turkey’s sovereign rating by two notches to BB+ confirmed that the global economic crisis has indeed left the Turkish economy relatively unscathed.
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2009-12-08, Turkey: Industrial production up 6.5% in October

Turkey's industrial production posted a surprise rise of 6.5 percent on the year in October, the Turkish Statistics Institute said on Tuesday, signalling the economy is recovering after several months' steep contraction.
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2009-12-04, Slovenia: Banks accept Petrol's plan for Istrabenz debt restructuring

The banks owed money by the insolvent Istrabenz holding agreed on Wednesday to accept a debt restructuring plan, Istrabenz chairman Bogdan Topic told STA. Topic would not go into the details of the plan, but media reports say that it is based on a proposal submitted by energy group Petrol.
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2009-12-04, Bulgaria: Moody's withdraws ratings of FIB for "business reasons"

Moody's Investors Service withdrew the ratings of First Investment Bank for business reasons, the global ratings agency said on Wednesday. 'This action was taken with the consent of both parties and does not reflect a change in the bank's creditworthiness,' Moody's said.
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2009-12-02, Bulgaria: Eurohold turns to losses of BGN 3.5 M in 9-mo

Eurohold Bulgaria posted a negative bottom line of BGN 3.581 mln in the nine-months through September, vs. a net profit of BGN 35.995 mln in the respective period of 2008. Sales revenue of the conglomerate rose by 29% y-oy to BGN 269.618 mln but its income from financial operations slumped by 77% on the year to BGN 9.149 mln. Moreover, operating expenses increased faster than revenues, by an annual 36%.
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