 RFE/RL Balkan Report 10/23/2009 2:08:23 PM A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the countries of the western Balkans. For more stories on the Balkans, please visit and bookmark our Balkans page . |
 Is Russia Using Serbia To Strengthen Hand? For over a year, Russia has pushed for a new European security body to replace what it says are outdated organizations like NATO and the OSCE. This week, Moscow appeared to seek a European foothold for its initiative, when Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told counterparts in Serbia their country would be part of the security deal. More  The Right And The Power Those two words arguably sum up Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Serbia on October 20: the "right" being a reference to Serbian nationalism, and the "power" representing Russia's considerable ownership and other ties to Balkan fuel and electricity. More  Russian President Deepens Balkan Ties On Belgrade Visit Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has visited Belgrade on the 65th anniversary of the Serbian capital's liberation from Nazi occupation. It was the first-ever visit by a Russian president to Serbia and comes as Moscow is seeking to strengthen ties with its closest ally in the Balkans. More  Kosovo Lawmakers Ratify Border Deal With Macedonia Kosovo's parliament has ratified an agreement ending an eight year dispute with Macedonia over a border region used by gunmen and smugglers. More  Republika Srpska Leader Calls Bosnia 'Unsustainable' Republika Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik has called Bosnia-Herzegovina "an unsustainable country" and dismissed diplomatic efforts by the international community to amend the country's constitution, RFE/RL's Balkan Service reported. More  Lajcak: West Aware Of How Serious Situation Is The Office of the High Representative (OHR) has recently come under attack from Bosnia-Herzegovina's Serbian entity, the Republika Srpska, whose prime minister, Milorad Dodik, has threatened to withdraw from federal structures and says the OHR should be dissolved. Miroslav Lajcak, the foreign minister of Slovakia, served as the international community's high representative to Bosnia from 2007-09. He spoke to RFE/RL ahead of the talks. More  EU, U.S. Diplomats Seek To Ease Bosnia Tensions EU and U.S. diplomats have urged Bosnian leaders to contain a spiraling political crisis that is raising tensions between the country's ethnic groups. The meeting at the EU's military base near Sarajevo underlined the seriousness with which the international community views what many see as a rapidly deteriorating situation in the fragile Balkan state. More |
