RFE/RL BALKAN REPORT
02.05.2013
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 . |
 Interview: U.S. Congressman Says Deal With Serbia Gave Kosovo ‘Nothing' Representative Dana Rohrabacher, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is one of the United States' staunchest supporters of Kosovo's independence. In an interview with RFE/RL, he's critical of the EU-brokered agreement reached last month between Belgrade and Pristina, saying it did not create the preconditions for long-term peace and stability in the Balkans. More  Serbian Orthodox Church Rocked By Sex Scandal The Serbian Orthodox Church has formally removed from duty a powerful 74-year-old cleric bishop implicated in a sex scandal allegedly involving orgies and the rape of underage boys and girls. More  EU Launches Kosovo Organ Probe European Union prosecutors have launched an investigation into eight suspects in connection with an international organ trafficking ring that performed at least 23 illegal kidney transplants at a clinic in Pristina. More  U.S. Issues Country Reports On Human Rights Practices The U.S. State Department has released its "Country Reports On Human Rights Practices" for 2012, highlighting crackdowns on civil society, struggles for democratic change, and threats to freedom of expression. More  EU Recommends Serb Accession Talks The European Union has recommended that membership talks should be opened with Serbia and has given the green light for Kosovo to start talks on an association agreement with the bloc. More  Belgrade Philharmonic Lampoons Law With Mock Ad For Conductor The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra has issued a public call for a conductor who has "a pleasing appearance, [and] owns a dark suit, white shirt, black bow tie, and a rod that can be used as a baton," RFE/RL's Balkan Service reports. More  Landmark Belgrade-Pristina Deal Faces Hurdles In Northern Kosovo Belgrade and Pristina’s landmark agreement to normalize their relations is facing difficult hurdles on the ground in the Serb-majority municipalities of northern Kosovo. More  WATCH: Google+ Hangout On Serbia And Kosovo's Normalization Agreement An RFE/RL Google+ Hangout features RFE/RL Brussels correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL Kosovo Unit head Arbana Vidishiqi, and RFE/RL Balkan Service correspondent Branka Trivic discussing the deal between Belgrade and Pristina and its implications for the region. More |
