Despite Warning on Violence, Greece won't Ban Golden Dawn

Although Greece's government has said it will not ban the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights said there is enough evidence of the party's support for violence to outlaw the group

Greece: Dangers of the Disaffected and Unemployed

With unemployment in Greece at 27 percent, it is not surprising to see both radical right- and left-wing groups gaining support from those who have become disaffected by the crises. The disenchanted are joining radical parties espousing a wide variety of ideologies

Bulgaria's Wrestling Coach Starts Hunger Strike to Protest IOC Decision

Olympic gold medalist and Bulgaria's top wrestling coach Armen Nazaryan has started a hunger strike to protest the International Olympic Committee's move to drop the sport after the 2016 Olympics

Fight for Human Rights in Bulgaria Meets With Mixed Success

The recent dramatic attack on Bulgarian politician Ahmed Dogan who champions immigrant rights for Muslims and Turks wasn't a clear-cut case of ultra-right nationalism

Taming the Wild East: Bulgaria

Risk Monitor's Stefan Popov is trying to change the image of Bulgaria as the Wild East frontier of the European Union

In the Line of Fire: Journalists Take Hits from All Sides

Caught between ethnic identities and ethics, reporters in Southeast Europe are commonly intimidated into self-censorship

Djokovic Rips Roddick, Advances to Third Round at Olympics

Serbian Novak Djokovic needed just 54 minutes to beat American Andy Roddick, 6-2, 6-1, to advance to the third round of the Olympic tennis event against Lleyton Hewitt of Australia

Greece Expects Record Number of Tourists this Year

The ongoing economic crisis that has dropped hotel rates and food prices made Greece one of the most attractive destinations for tourists this year. Tourism revenues could hit record highs of as much as 12 billion euros this year

Bulgaria: The Next Generation

Bulgaria's younger generation is distinguished from those who lived during the communist era by an awareness of the rest of the world -- and how it perceives Bulgaria

Serbia's Strategic Ambiguity and the European Union

As usual, the Serbian parliament declared that it would never recognize the independence of the breakaway region. As the United States does with China and Taiwan, Serbia practices strategic ambiguity with Kosovo

The Politics of Fear

Like ghosts from the past, we see political violence, xenophobia, migrants being scapegoated and extreme nationalism creeping into our public debates -- even into our parliaments. This is a Europe diverging from its founding principles

Fear and Loathing on the Streets of Athens

Police officers in body armour surround dark-skinned men on a busy street in Athens. It is a scene that has been playing out across the city since the government crackdown on illegal migration

Tough Economic Times Ahead for Serbia

Experts predict more economic problems and challenges ahead for Serbia.

Referendum to Decide Fate of Romania's Basescu

The parliament voted to suspend President Traian Basescu amid fierce political infighting that sparked serious international concern

Balkans: New Extremism Poses Threat

Emerging extremist organisations in the Balkans are operating alongside existing extremist groups and may try to change the political and legal framework to fit their agendas

Human Rights in Serbia

One of the major problems plaguing the Balkans in particular is impunity. I talked with Milan Antonijevic, the director of YUCOM about the continuing human rights problems in Serbia, including the issue of impunity

Bulgaria: The Failure of Funding Roma Inclusion

Money that the European Commission provides to Bulgaria to fund Roma inclusion projects is diverted elsewhere

Balkan Countries Loaded with Firearms

Serbia is the leader in the region in the possession of legal and illegal firearms, but other countries are not far behind

Djokovic On Course for Olympic Showdown with Nemesis Federer

Smarting from the semifinal loss at Wimbledon, Serbia's former World No.1, Novak Djokovic, gave an indication that he meant business at the Olympics when he crushed Andy Roddick

In Balkans Support for Syria Builds

The conflict in Syrian hits home for many in the Balkans as the diaspora and locals start to mobilise support

Romanians Denounce Political Interference in Culture

A decision to move the Romanian Cultural Institute under parliamentary control sparked unprecedented reactions among the country's intellectual community

Croatia's Past Lives On in Modern-Day Split

Lounging alongside the Adriatic Sea on the famed Dalmatian Coast, Split is Croatia's second-largest city, making it a bustling metropolis, serious port city, major transit hub, and top sightseeing destination

Albania Still Working to Dispose of Stockpiled Ammunition

Stockpiles of unstable ammunition have posed a constant threat to those living nearby, as Albania races to meet a dismantling deadline

Greece's Balkan Inheritance is Heavy

The Balkans are historically apart from Europe for two reasons. This has everything to do with the present crisis of Greece and the future of Greece's membership in -- or perhaps its departure from -- the European Union and its euro zone

Is Greece European?

It's no accident that Greece is the most economically troubled country in the EU. The fact that it is located at Europe's southeastern back door also has something to do with it. For Greece's economic and political development bear marks of a legacy not wholly in the modern West

Balkan Countries Dream of Oil Riches

Possible deposits off the coast of Albania and in Serbia have two nations hoping for an economic windfall

Balkans: EU Will Help But Countries Must Reform

Leaders in BiH, Kosovo and Serbia must take steps to put their countries on the right track and prevent the region from sliding backwards, EU parliamentarian Doris Pack says

Kosovo Recognition Not an Easy Decision

Although the Kosovo issue is painful for Serbia, the time has come to acknowledge reality and focus efforts related to the region's common strategic goals, Montenegro's foreign minister says

Balkan Minorities Work Towards Functional Multiculturalism

Minorities throughout the Balkans are banding together and drafting constitutional type documents aimed at protecting and serving their rights

Albanian Public on Edge After Recent Political Stalemate

Lack of communication among Albanian politicians has dampened the hopes for the country's EU prospects

Bulgaria, Romania and Greece Initiate EU strategy for Balkans

The adoption of European standards, economic projects and genuine regional co-operation are the focus of the proposed strategy

Greece's Youth: 'I Have No Hope'

Degrees in hand but no jobs and few prospects, many of Greece's young say they'll reluctantly abandon their near-bankrupt country and look for work and a new life in other countries. Others are just resigned

Children Man Barricades in Northern Kosovo

Tensions along the border in northern Kosovo are high after KFOR announced plans to dismantle the barricades on roads leading to the border crossing of Jarinje and Brnjak

Turkey Needs Further Reforms

The European Commission presented its annual Progress Report on Turkey, arriving at positive and negative conclusions regarding Turkey's stalled EU accession process

'Ottomania' on the Rise in Turkey

While the renewed interest in Ottoman culture and history may be commercialisation to some, it can also provide a reference point for Turkish foreign policy and domestic politics

Turkey: Cartoonist Faces Trial for Asserting that 'Religion Is a Lie'

Not too long ago, when the military acted as the enforcer of a rigidly secular system, a politician in Turkey could be punished merely for reciting religious poetry. Now, with the military's influence waning and moderate Islamists firmly in charge of the machinery of state, government agencies are trying to punish a cartoonist, Bahadir Baruter, for blasphemy

Turkey - Russia Relations and Missile Defense

Ankara's new independent image in Moscow could be threatened by the radar decision

Turkey: Cartoonist Faces Trial for Asserting that 'Religion Is a Lie'

Not too long ago, when the military acted as the enforcer of a rigidly secular system, a politician in Turkey could be punished merely for reciting religious poetry. Now, with the military's influence waning and moderate Islamists firmly in charge of the machinery of state, government agencies are trying to punish a cartoonist, Bahadir Baruter, for blasphemy

Balkan Countries Work To Round Up Privately Held Weapons

The statistics about gun ownership regionwide are surprising and the results can be deadly. In Albania alone, for example, analyst Jonuz Kola estimated this summer that 6% to 9% of the population has a weapon in the home. Scores of accidental shootings occur, including that of a 9-year-old

Greeks Pushed to the Edge by Austerity Measures

A spike in suicides is blamed on the economic crisis that could also bring down the country

Bailout of Greek Banks Good, But Not Enough

With an 18 billion-euro bailout, Greek banks are now staying afloat. But losses and political instability could easily sink the ship

Kosovo Counting on Strong Support From Turkey

Kosovo and Turkey have what former Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu describes as 'golden relations', strong political and economic ties bound together by religious and cultural affinities developed over more than five centuries of Ottoman rule

Greek Voters Punish Ruling Parties for Austerity

Enraged Greek voters delivered a stinging rebuke to the two ruling parties that have dominated politics for four decades

Second Bailout May Not be Enough for Greece

Greeks breathe a sigh of relief now, but economists say a day of reckoning still looms

Berisha Nurtures Albanian-Israeli Ties

Though the main focus of his trip was on business and investments, Prime Minister Sali Berisha also gave Israel support on the Palestinian issue

Is Europe Over?

What made Europe a compelling political, economic, and social alternative wedged between Anglo-American free marketeers and Soviet nomenklatura is rapidly becoming a thing of the past

On WWII Anniversary, Greeks Say 'No' Again

For Greeks, October 28th is a revered day -- the anniversary of a 1940 response to Mussolini's demand that Greece surrender without a fight during World War II. But this year, Greeks are standing up to their government against what they perceive as sacrificing the country's sovereignty to foreign lenders

Greek Workers and Pensioners: The Damage Is Done

Greece will write off 50% of its new debt, but workers, pensioners and the poor say it won't help them in the aftermath of pay cuts, tax hikes, slashed benefits and thousands of coming layoffs

Macedonia's EU Bid Still Mired in Name Issue

The dispute with Athens remains an obstacle despite success in meeting other criteria.

The Black Sea: A Forgotten Geo-strategic Realm

The expectations of the last ten years that the states surrounding the Black Sea would follow the example of the Balkan region and shape themselves into a security community have not been realized. Perceptions of stagnation have replaced the hopes of a working and stable geo-strategic framework, based on a balance of cooperation and conflicts

EC Recommends Serbia Gain EU Candidate Status

The European Commission has recommended Serbia to win EU candidate status, assuring it to grant EU entry to the Balkan state once it makes necessary progress in its relations with Kosovo, which has declared itself as an independent state

Kukan: Dialogue Not Barricades

Eduard Kukan, head of the European Parliament's delegation for relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo, spoke about the recent developments in northern Kosovo

Balkans Summit Extols Regional Co-Operation

Meeting at a summit in New York, Balkan leaders delivered a strong message in favour of regional reconciliation and co-operation, despite lingering differences

Erdogan Pushes for Common Future with Balkan States

Speaking alongside leaders of the Balkan states at the New York Balkan Forum, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed the cultural and historical ties between Turkey and the Balkans, while calling on the region to overcome its troubled history to co-operate and integrate to form a common future

Preparing for Greece's Failure

Find out why Greece isn't salvageable, and why Europeans need at least 2 trillion euro to kick it out of the eurozone without triggering financial catastrophe

Greek Parliament Approves New Property Tax

The Greek Parliament approved a new property tax, aimed at helping the government of Prime Minister George Papandreou meet the budget target under a 110-billion-euro programme of rescue loans from the EU and the IMF

Greece Forecasts Economic Contraction to be Worse than Expected

Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos reported that the country's economic contraction would be worse than expected

In Greek Elections, A Campaign of Fear Prevails

Political leaders stick to their scripts amid anger over austerity, uncertainty and the rising right-wing groups

China's 'Silk Road' in the Balkans

China is making it way through the Balkans, amidst the economic crisis in Europe.

European Economies At Risk - Greece

Greece's economy has suffered from both the financial crisis and austerity measures meant to resolve the crisis

Balkan Countries Still Committed to EU Membership

EU enlargement may be taking a backseat to financial concerns right now, but accession remains a strategic goal for several governments, despite the sometimes significant reforms it entails

The World and the Balkans

2011 was a tense and difficult year for most countries across the globe, including the Balkans.

EU Candidate Status Rejection Means Less Money for Albania

Political stalemate and the slow pace of reforms prompted the EU to reject Albania's candidate status last month -- a setback that has economic and political repercussions

Albania-Kosovo Agreement Rekindles Old Suspicions

A deal to unify consular services abroad, to be followed by similar moves in all other sectors, is a source of concern for some about potential Albanian territorial aggression

EU Urges Kosovo to Plan New Strategy for North

The EU is keen to see dialogue resume between Pristina and Belgrade; talks have been halted amid violence at crossing gates in northern Kosovo

Turkey Ratifies Railway Agreement to Integrate with Balkan States

The railway deal aims to significantly reduce travel times, improve passenger and freight transport and increase competitiveness

Greeks to Face Further Tough Measures

The Greek government said that it would ask parliament within a few days to approve a fresh package of austerity measures aimed at reducing the debt-laden country's bloated budget deficit

Albania's Unsettled Past

Albanian political prisoners recall the past in terms of unsettled issues, having received no apologies either from their tormentors or the state, while many are still unable to find graves of loved ones executed by the regime

Serbia's Markovic Fights Corruption and Public Skepticism

European Union accession hinges in part on progress in fighting pervasive corruption, prompting Serbia to roll out a whole new strategy

Kosovo to Boost Privatizations

Kosovo hopes to accelerate the process with an overhaul of the regulations

Italy and Greece Ask Albania to Unify on European Agenda

Albania needs to calm its problems at home in order to move on the European integration, ministers say

Turkey: Violence Casts Pall Over Constitutional Reform Efforts

A fatal blast in Ankara and increasing violence in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast are overshadowing the country's long-awaited constitutional reform process.

Turkey's Neo-Ottoman Foreign Policy

Whereas Turkey's foreign policy mantra used to be 'no problems with the neighbors,' Turkey now seems to want to become the chief bully in the eastern Mediterranean, escalating tensions between the NATO member and Israel, a key US ally

Kosovo an Obstacle to Serbia's EU Bid

The Serbia-EU Forum affirmed Serbia's European prospect, but also showed that Kosovo will be a major obstacle along that path

Turkey-Israel: What's next?

Deterioration of ties between Turkey and Israel poses a heightened risk for the region, analysts say.

Eastern Mediterranean Olive Oil Producers Seek Markets in Far East

There's a revolution taking place in the eastern Mediterranean and it's all about oil ... olive oil

Turkey Grows Nervous Over Economy

Turkish politicians are expressing concern that the country's booming economy is at risk as the nation's consumers binge on buying and borrowing while Europe struggles to put out the debt fire in Greece

Young Turks Returning Home to Chase Economic Dreams

Macedonia Eyes Its Future in Antiquity

Turkey: Military Resignation Strategy Misfires

Greece's 2nd bailout: Debt Restructuring with No Debt Reduction?

Eurozone Crisis: Greek Tragedy

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia Agree to Help Each Other on Road to EU

The Rise of Turkey in the Balkans

Some Albanians Consider Changing Nationality for Profit

The Divided States of Europe

Greece and EU Attempt to Avoid Disastrous Default

Greek Crisis: Brace for More Volatility in Financial Markets

Greek Parliament Narrowly Approves Austerity Program

Violence Mars Strikes in Greece

Papandreou Seeks Greek MPs Support For Austerity Plan

Greek Cabinet Approves Austerity Measures; Debt Default Still Possible

Greek PM Papandreou Survives Confidence Vote

IMF Urges EU Leaders to Act Now on Greece Bailout

European Finance Ministers Delay Second Greek Bailout To July

Justice for a General -- At Last

Bosnia: Crisis Averted?

Serbo - Croat Relations: Addressing Injustice

Montenegro: The Survivor Exits

Kosovo: A Way To Go

Religion's Growing Influence in International Politics

'Europe Looks East' Hints at the Future

A Divided and Insular European Union

In Balkans, U.S. Could Use 1800s Supreme Court Case for Guidance

This Should Not Be About Austerity, It's About The Future Of Democracy