Greece approves update of military agreement with US

The Greek parliament has approved updating of the defense agreement with the US by 175 against 80 votes and 33 abstentions. The agreement allows US forces to use Greek military facilities such as Larissa and Stefanovikio air bases for supplies, training and emergency operations. The US Army also receives priority for unobstructed access to and use of the Alexandroupolis port, which is of strategic importance to US and NATO warships. Greece hopes the United States will invest more than € 12 million at its base in Larissa and about € 6 million in the village of Marathi, part of the US base at the Port of Souda on the Island of Crete. As lawmakers voted for the agreement, hundreds of left-wing demonstrators protested in central Athens.

Five countries join European sanctions on Turkey

Five countries outside the European Union have joined the framework for restrictive measures in response to unauthorized natural gas exploration activities conducted by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean. The framework was adopted by the EU Council on 11 November. The candidate for membership – Northern Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania, as well as Iceland, a member of the European Economic Area, have expressed their desire to align their policies with the European one.

The EU Council decision implements restrictive measures against persons and organizations responsible for or involved in offshore drilling for exploration and extraction of carbohydrates without permission in territorial waters, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of the Republic of Cyprus.

Josep Borrell: There is no difference between the US and the EU in the approach to Kosovo

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says there is no conflict with the US over the two forces' parallel efforts to bring Serbia and Kosovo back to the negotiating table. EU-brokered negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo began in 2011, but were cut off more than a year ago when Kosovo imposed 100 percent duties on Serbian goods. At the same time, senior US officials in January tried to push Belgrade and Pristina to renew their air and rail links, suspended for the past 21 years. Borrell, who recently visited the Western Balkans for the first time, said that Brussels was not in competition with Washington and that they were working together to achieve results. Borrell said resuming the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo was the only way to bring them closer to the EU. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which has not yet been recognized by Serbia.

New border checkpoint opens between North Macedonia and Kosovo

A new border checkpoint “Belanovce-Stancic” has been opened between North Macedonia and Kosovo. The ceremony was attended by North Macedonia Prime Minister Oliver Spasovski and Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs Bujar Osmani, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj and mayors of the two border municipalities - Lipkovo and Gnjilane. The two countries hope the new, third, border checkpoint will boost overall economic exchanges between North Macedonia and Kosovo.

39 women in Turkish Airlines are flights captains

According to statistics from the Turkish Airlines system, the airline currently employs 4,974 pilots as 211 of them are women. Of these, 39 are ranked first pilots. The youngest female pilot and flight captain in Turkish civil aviation is 29-year-old Celine Sevimli. She gained 8 years of experience as a pilot after completing her pilot training at Anadolu University.

Kosovo's new Prime Minister Albin Kurti outlines cabinet's priorities

Nearly four months after the snap elections, Kosovo already has a new government headed by 44-year-old Albin Kurti. The 15-member cabinet consists of six ministers from each of the two largest parties in the country. The other three seats are for minority representatives. Kurti himself is the leader of the left-wing Self-determination party. The other major party which is to provide support is the Democratic Union of Kosovo.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

English Rossitsa Petcova