The following media round up on international, legal and foreign policy issues from around the Balkans for the period from 13 March to 16 March 2023.
Guernica 37 will provide weekly media updates with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia . Should you wish to contribute or submit a media summary, opinion piece or blog, please send to Ned Vucijak at nenadv@guernica37.com for consideration.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 16 March 2023
Newly US-sanctioned Bosnians, starting with the country's former intelligence chief, have called on the US Treasury Department and embassy to Bosnia to present evidence for their claims. The full article can be found here.
Albania – 16 March 2023
The “golden passports” scheme promoted by Albania’s government in recent years has been suspended, PM Edi Rama has told the vice president of EU Commission Josep Borrell and Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. The full article can be found here.
Moldova – 16/03/2023
Deputies of the ruling party in Moldova have condemned what they term Russia’s plans to regain control of the country after investigative media published a series of what appeared to be official Russian documents on how Moscow plans to maintain its influence in Chisinau and derail its relationship with the West. The Full article can be found here.
Kosovo – 16 March 2023
Cases of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse in Kosovo schools are alarmingly high, and the authorities are slow to react to them. The full article can be found here.
Bulgaria – 15 March 2023
The arrest of a critical journalist on what looks like specious grounds and the lawsuit filed against a respected media outlet highlight the continuing problems facing media freedom in the country. The full article can be found here.
Moldova – 13 March 2023
Moldova's foreign ministry has strongly condemned the confirmed execution of a Ukrainian soldier of Moldovan origin, calling it both a war crime and a 'flagrant violation of international humanitarian law'. The full article can be found here.
Kosovo – 13 March 2023
Kosovo’s Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu asked Serbia for the extradition of two Kosovo citizens charged with war crimes against civilians, claiming they were being subjected to “serious human rights violations”. The full article can be found here.
Serbia – 13 March 2023
Serbia’s Commissioner for Equality said she was alarmed by the Belgrade mayor's 'dangerous' claim on Saturday that the city's Roma live on stealing – and don't want to follow 'civilised' standards. The full article can be found here.