RFE/RL Balkan Report
24.05.2012
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the countries of the western Balkans.
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Mladic Genocide Trial A Big Story Everywhere, Except Serbia
As the long-awaited trial of Ratko Mladic began in The Hague on May 16, one country was not watching. Serbia. More 
Nikolic Declares Victory In Serbia
Opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic has declared himself the winner in Serbia's runoff election for president in a vote that could boost fears of a renewed nationalism and deepen political divides. More 
Serbian Nationalist's Surprise Presidential Win Raises Uncertainty
The surprise win of nationalist Tomislav Nikolic in Serbia's presidential polls on May 20 throws the country into fresh political uncertainty. Nikolic, a one-time ally of late Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic, may now ask his party to form a new government and break an existing deal on a new ruling coalition headed by Boris Tadic's Democratic Party. Nikolic's election also casts serious doubt on Serbia's attempts to join the European Union. More 
EU, OSCE Welcome Serb Presidential Poll
The European Union has urged President-elect Tomislav Nikolic to continue Serbia's reform path toward EU integration. More 
Clinton Anticipates NATO Expansion
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that NATO should enlarge at the alliance's next summit. More 
New Study Highlights Roma Woes
A new study of Europe's Roma by the European Union, the World Bank, and the United Nations has found that only 15 percent of the minority have completed secondary education, and more than 90 percent live below the poverty lines of the countries they live in. More 
U.S. State Department Warns Of 'Instability' Following Arab Spring
In a new report, the U.S. State Department calls last year’s uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa “inspirational," with citizens in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria standing up and demanding their universal rights, greater economic opportunity, and participation in their countries’ political future. More 
MEPs Rap Azerbaijan Over Rights
EU lawmakers have adopted a resolution calling for an "immediate stop to all actions aimed at suppressing the freedom of expression and assembly" in Azerbaijan. More |
