Romania expects to enter Schengen by land by the end of the year

Romania will join the Schengen area via its land borders by the end of the year, said Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in an interview with local TV station Antenna 3, reported BTA. The statement was made on the same day that Austrian Minister of Interior Gerhard Karner avoided giving a time horizon for overriding the veto on Romania and Bulgaria joining Schengen by land. "Romania will enter the Schengen area by air and sea in a month. I guarantee you that by the end of this year Romania will enter Schengen by land as well", Marcel Ciolaccu said.

Serbia to rerun Belgrade elections

New local elections will be held in the Serbian capital Belgrade. The results of the previous vote in December were heavily criticized by the opposition over suspicions of irregularities, including vote-buying. Serbia's Supreme Court, however, rejected the opposition's request to annul the elections. The opposition coalition "Serbia Against Violence" described the decision as a victory for civil society and the people who documented electoral fraud, reported BNT. For three months after the elections, the opposition in Belgrade regularly held protests against "electoral fraud and election theft."

Kosovo and Albania integrate their electricity markets

The integration of the electricity markets of Kosovo and Albania was announced at an official ceremony, reported BTA. The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that this is a historic moment for the energy sector of both countries, as according to him, this will have a role in economic development as well as transparency in the energy sector and is a strategic step for a more efficient energy system. In his words, this collaboration will create a more favorable environment for attracting foreign investments. The memorandum for the integration of the electricity markets of Kosovo and Albania was signed in June 2018, and in 2020, Kosovo exited Serbia's energy system.

Turkiye’s annual inflation accelerated in February to 67.1%

Turkiye’s annual inflation accelerated to 67.1% in February as compared to 64.9% in January, reports BTA. Consumer prices rose by 4.5% month-on-month amid the continuous depreciation of the Turkish lira. The increase in prices particularly concerns food products (+71.1%), the transport sector (+78%), healthcare (+81.25%), education (+91.8%), as well as hotel and catering industry (+94.8%), reported the Turkish Statistical Institute. Although high, the official figures are disputed by independent economists who estimate the rise in consumer prices at 122% year-on-year.

The Hellenic Ministry of Culture tables music quota bill for hotels, airports and ports

A bill tabled by the Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni foresees that 45% of all music played at hotels, airports, malls, ports and casinos will have to be Greek. Fines for violations may reach up to EUR 20,000. Minister Mendoni told the media that the aim is to "preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage". The introduction of a music quota is aimed at protecting and spreading the Greek language, BNR’s correspondent in Greece Katya Peeva reported.
The Panhellenic Federation of Hoteliers reacted to this news, as it believes that this policy takes the country back many years and is based on totalitarian methods.