Balkan Developments

Skopje concerned with Bulgaria’s memorandum to EU

North Macedonia’s opposition party VMRO-DPMNE has conducted a series of protests against Zoran Zaev’s cabinet. One of the topics raised by this party is connected with the dispute about the ethnic identity of the leader of VMRO Gotse Delchev-whether he is Bulgarian or Macedonian. The number of anti-Bulgarian statements increased after the news that Sofia sent to the EU an explanatory memorandum on the Bulgaria-North Macedonia relations connected with Skopje’s accession to the Union. “Suspension of the Joint Bulgaria-North Macedonia Commission on Educational and Historical Issues and non-compliance with the good neighbor agreement of 2017 is completely unacceptable for Sofia”, the memorandum reads. With regard to the text of the Bulgarian memorandum, North Macedonia’s cabinet stated that the treaty on friendship, good neighborliness and cooperation with Bulgaria creates legal framework and proposes instruments aimed to solve bilateral issues. “Bulgaria and North Macedonia are NATO allies. We have a common obligation to improve neighbor relations and mutual cooperation and build friendship”, the government in Skopje states.

Turkish Cypriots breaking Covid-19 quarantine may be sentenced to up to 1 year in prison

The authorities of the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus have stepped up measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, CNN-Turk announced. According to the text adopted by the MPs in Northern Nicosia, people breaking the quarantine and failing to adhere to the anti-epidemic measures may be sentenced to up to 1 year in prison. People who refuse to wear face masks in crowded places or do not adhere to social distancing will be fined 300 Turkish Lira. The new legislation comes at the backdrop of increased number of Covid-19 cases on the island, CNN-Turk notes.

Migrants moved into new tent camp on Lesbos Island

Thousands of refugees and migrants stranded on Lesbos Island after the devastating fire at the migrant accommodation center in Moria have been transferred to the temporary camp Kara Tepe, government spokesperson Stelios Petsas announced, quoted by Kathimerini newspaper. Migrants underwent rapid Covid-19 testing. “We continue implementing the three aims we had set from the beginning- shelter, food and protection”, Petsas said. The Moria migrant camp was destroyed in a fire deliberately lit by migrants protesting against the Covid-19 quarantine.

Romania deploys first Patriot missiles in Cape Midia military base

Romania’s armed forces received their first shipment of U.S. Patriot surface-to-air missiles manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The missiles were set up at Cape Midia military base near the Black Sea port of Constanta. The acquisition of Patriot surface-to-air missiles has been hailed as a crucial step towards strengthening the country’s air defenses. The deal is estimated at USD 3.9 billion and is an important element of the defense reform programme of an EU and NATO member which tries to upgrade its deterrent capacity against any possible threats from Russia. The President of the Russian Federation has repeatedly said that Moscow views the deployment of American missiles in Eastern Europe as a huge threat and Russia would respond by boosting its own military capabilities, Romania liberta newspaper informs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina does not hurry joining the so-called Mini Schengen

The Collective Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina has rejected proposal of the Serb member of the tripartite Presidency Milorad Didik to join Belgrade’s initiative of the so-called Mini Schengen. The topic is subject to a thirty-day discussion by the Collective presidency. Serbia’s Minister of Agriculture Branislav Nedimovic said at an agriculture forum in Belgrade that Serbia’s food industry would benefit the most from the “Mini Schengen”, because his country would enter a new market niche. The “Mini Schengen” is an area which includes Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania. It lifts all barriers related to veterinary and phytosanitary certificates, Minister Nedimovic underlines, BGNES informs.

Turkey aims to produce own space satellites by 2023

Turkey is to launch into space the new-generation satellite Turkstat-5A, this country’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Adil Karaismailoglu announced. “We are planning to receive the communications satellite on November 30, Minister Karaismailoglu said, quoted by Anadolu Ajansi. He pointed out that the next satellite in the series Turksat 5-B is set for launch next year. Ankara is planning to launch the third satellite Turksat-6A by 2022. This satellite is expected to be produced entirely in Turkey. ”