Balkan developments

published on 11/17/23 11:10 AM

Greek Foreign Minister goes to Gaza, insists on humanitarian corridor

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetridis has made an extraordinary visit to Gaza in order to secure a humanitarian corridor. He spoke with the Palestinian leadership in the capital of the Palestinian Authority, Ramallah. At the meeting the process of negotiations with Israel was discussed. The Greek Foreign Minister has emphasized that the preservation of the lives of civilians in Gaza is of utmost importance and the provision of a humanitarian corridor is important.

The Greek Church has expressed its readiness to help those injured in the conflict, reported BNR correspondent in Athens Katya Peeva. In the Greek capital, Palestinian diplomats met with the archbishop of all Greece, Hieronymus. The head of the Greek Orthodox Church has expressed concern for the victims and injured civilians in Gaza. The Palestinians have thanked for the help provided to civilians who are in Greek churches and monasteries.

Training of Ukrainian pilots for F-16 fighters begins in Romania

A NATO-backed European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) was inaugurated at Romania's Borcea Air Base near the town of Fetești, 150 kilometers east of the capital Bucharest. Romanian and Ukrainian pilots will be trained there, Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tîlvăr and his Dutch counterpart Kajsa Ollongren announced, quoted by BTA.

The US company Lockheed Martin is providing the instructors and maintenance of the equipment, and the Netherlands will provide between 12 and 18 F-16 aircraft for the training program, which is expected to last at least 6 months.

Romania itself currently has 17 second-hand F-16 fighter jets, which it bought from Portugal. It has also bought 32 second-hand F-16s from Norway, the first eight of which are expected to be delivered this year.

The arrival of the first F-16s in Ukraine is expected from the spring of 2024.

Croatia's defense minister has been suspended because of an accident with a dead person

Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banozic has been removed from his post after causing an accident that killed one person. He overtook a truck with his personal car. The 44-year-old minister collided with a van moving in the oncoming lane, and its driver died.

After the incident, Banozic, who was hospitalized with injuries and does not remember the incident, was removed from his post by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Banozic's place was taken by the parliament-approved Ivan Anusic, a veteran of the War of Independence. Upon taking office, the new minister promised that during the remaining 5-6 months of the mandate, he would devote his efforts "to the strengthening and modernization of the Croatian army, a symbol of the strength and pride of the Croatian people," the government's press service reported.

Belgrade: The road to the Open Balkans also goes through wine

The Second International Wine Fair Wine Vision of the Open Balkans was opened in the Serbian capital, Belgrade. The event is taking place from November 16 to 19 under the auspices of the governments of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, as part of the Open Balkans initiative with the participation of over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries.

The most numerous exhibitors are from the member countries of Open Balkans. 260 are from Serbia, 74 from North Macedonia and 21 from Albania, BTA reports. At the opening, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic boasted that there are 467 small wineries in Serbia, a number that has increased tenfold in just a 5-year period.

Compiled by Miglena Ivanova

English publication by Rositsa Petkova