26 octobre 2007
Burgas-Alexandroupolis project discussed at meeting with Greek, Russian, Bulgarian government officials
| 26 October 2007 | 17:26 | FOCUS News Agency |
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Ankara. The Burgas – Alexandroupolis project was discussed at a meeting with officials from the Greek, Russian and Bulgarian governments, Greek radio Skai reported. The talk was held in Ankara within the framework of the ministerial meeting about the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Speeding up procedures on implementing the project was also discussed. The Russian officials voiced interest in establishing a consortium of Russian and Greek companies for the building of a road network along the Black Sea. |
Balkans' reconciliation conference
| 26 October 2007 | 12:46 | FOCUS News Agency |
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Belgrade. The 3rd international conference on national reconciliation in the Balkan opens Friday in Belgrade, cited by Makfax. |
27 septembre 2007
From Bulgarian To Kosovo Syndrome
| 25 September 2007 | 15:21 | Nezavisimaya Gazeta |
By Nodar Mosaki – senior research associate – Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)
The Kosovo issue turned into one of the main issues in the international relations over the last years. Moreover it turned into an inexhaustible source of disagreements between Russia and the West. It is worthwhile to mention that Russia seems more pro Serbian oriented than Serbians themselves in the frame of the negotiations about the Kosovo problem.
It seems Kosovo is rather an exercise in internal political rhetoric for Serbians. Moreover neither Russia nor Serbia offers conditions that would solve the problem in a satisfactory way for all parties. And this means the issue for the Kosovo statute could be solved even without their participation.
The most painful outcome of the situation for Russia would be if Serbia succumbs to the pressure of the West and accept certain bonuses as economic aid from the EU or promises for joining the union in the near future against agreement with conditions set by the USA. This variant should not be excluded, as it would mean full defeat for the Russian diplomacy. The best variant for Russia would be it to make use of its discordances with the West about the Kosovo statute.
Russia criticized the USA time and again at the level of diplomatic rhetoric as it warned for possible “strategic mistakes” in the policy towards the Balkans. Russia traditionally gave as an example Yugoslavia where “NATO’s variant for solving the Kosovo crisis led to Albanian separatism provocation and put the region under the thread of permanent instability”. Compared to many “anti-Albanian” and “anti-Western” statements, Russia traditionally was perceived as “a defender of Serbians and Slav brothers as a whole”. But is this really so?
Together with the West
In the early 90-ties of 20th century “the passiveness, negligence and the carelessness towards national interests” was explained with the lack of experience of the Russian diplomacy, with the undefined foreign policy direction and pro Western attitudes of former Russian foreign minister Andrey Kozirev and president Boris Eltsin. The policy towards Serbians that the West developed was explained the same way. Russia supported all decisions and resolutions of the USA and NATO in the UN, though it acknowledged and criticized their anti-Serbian attitudes. Then Russia explained its solidarity with the West with the urge “the consent not to be disturbed and the complicated Yugoslavian crisis to be regarded”. The contradictory statements of Russian diplomats from this period are known.
Thus for example Russian politicians in Moscow showed their principal support for the Serbians whereas the Russian diplomacy in Belgrade played the role of a Trojan horse of the West. Moreover it persuaded Serbians to acknowledge several “illegal decisions”. Meanwhile Russian diplomats approved USA’s policy in Washington and New York and did not make a stand against passing “anti-Serbian resolutions”. The Russian foreign ministry was “definitely” against any NATO operations conducting in the post Yugoslavian area. Anyway Russia did not put a veto on USA’s decisions during discussions of these issues in the UN Security Council, though it boycotted them sometimes but this still did not mean their approval. Thus Russia apparently was pro Serbian whereas in the UN Security Council and in different negotiations (e.g. the Contact Group) it was completely solidary with the West as a state that “understands the meaning of international mediators’ consent”.
Primakov’s and Ivanov’s diplomacy towards the Balkans continued the policy from the first half of the 90-ties in fact. The authorities and the media in Russia fiercely criticized USA’s policy towards Belgrade but somehow nobody asked the question why Russia took part in passing the “anti Serbian” resolutions in the UN Security Council. In addition to this Russian representatives frequently criticized USA’s actions as the policy of the USA was based in a natural way on adopted (including by Russia) resolutions. All this might seem strange on first sight. The sources of such policy originate from the second half of 19th century, from the age of Eastern crisis that shook Europe.
Bulgarian campaign’s lessons
The reasons for the Eastern crisis that started in the summer of 1875 with a revolt in Bosnia and Herzegovina were processes of internal systematic decay of the Ottoman Empire, development of the national liberation struggle of the Balkan-Slavic nations occupied by the Turks and intensification of competition between great countries for influence over the Balkans.
A revolt broke in spring 1876 in Bulgaria as well that was violently quelled. The next defeat of Serbia caused a burst of Slavonic solidarity in the Russian society. The royal government avoided involvement into a conflict with Turkey at first but declared war to the country in April 1877. By mid July Russian troops cross the Danube River and step Bulgarian territory. A local civil administration was established on the freed Bulgarian territories.
As a result of signing the San Stefano treaty in February 1878 Bulgaria that entered partly Macedonia received half independence becoming a principality, depending on Turkey that should withdraw its troops and to receive taxes. 250 000 Bulgarians signed an address to emperor Alexander II with gratitude to the Russian nation for the deliverance of 500-year Ottoman slavery.
Liberating Bulgaria Russia staked on establishing its influence in this country that is a kind of a heart in the Balkans. Russian generals G. Enrot and A. Kaulbars were appointed military ministers and L. Sobolev became prime minister and foreign minister. But the relations between Bulgarian principality and St. Petersburg deteriorated considerably in mid 80-ties.
The people’s revolt that broke in Plovdiv, Eastern Rumelia’s capital, led to unification with Bulgaria Principality ruled by Alexander Battenberg. The royal government was against this not wanting a Bulgarian unification ruled by prince Alexander supposing united Bulgaria would not become Russia’s base in the Balkans but a hostile country. This was a paradox: Turkey and Russia were the only opponents against Bulgaria’s unification.
Russia did not succeed keeping Bulgaria in the zone of its influence. Russia did not manage to find a base in the newly established Balkan countries that were obliged to Russia to great extent for this. Although St. Petersburg staked much on the “gratitude” of the freed nations and the new Balkan countries, backward Russia in economic and technical aspect could not offer anything to compete the West. Bulgaria and Serbia fell under the influence of the Austrian-Hungarian capital that led to political domination of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in the Balkans.
The Pragmatic Diplomacy
The “Bulgarian failure” pushed Russian politics on pragmatism. Russia realized that there is no perspective is waiting for some “gratitude”, regarding the lack of economic opportunities. I.e. Russia was no longer able to depend on the strategic relations with the Balkan Slavs. Saint Petersburg realized that they, appealing to the pan-Slavic feelings to Russia, aim only at inciting it against Turkey and/or the West, granting themselves the possibility for making some maneuvers in the games and tender with the West, which is threatened by the increasing Russian influence. In this respect, we must remark that Russia’s assistance given to the Armenians (Christians) in the Ottoman Empire has not developed into support to the idea to establish an Armenian state there. For Russia, which is a “heavyweight player” on the international politics carpet, only units equal in status can bear some strategic character to it. However, having a fund of several historic “Slavic” aces, the Russian diplomacy started some discount trade with the West for the Balkans. Its hardly likely that Moscow was unable to realize that Milosevic has dreamt only for spurring on the Russian - American arguments and that his statement about the Belgrade - Moscow (and Minsk) strategic partnership did not need any serious view, anyway during the Russian era, Belgrade managed to trim between the West and the East. It is also obvious that Belgrade was not able to compete with the West, regarding Russia’s a attractiveness. Thus, Russia itself took advantage of Belgrade in their relations, without being involved in the relations with the West. It is hard to set a price for it, but Russia would hardly vote in support to the USA in NATO, and would rather make Milosevic give in for himself.
It is strange that despite having such great experience in Balkan politics, Russian diplomacy stubbornly opposes to the judgment passed on an already solved issue, depriving itself of the opportunity to exert influence on Kosovan authorities, which became interested in the compromise reached by the great states. Anyway, Russia can negotiate certain conditions for the Russian capital’s entering Kosovo’s economy, which is important to the realization of the Balkan expansion planned by the Russian companies.
16 septembre 2007
Rapid Reaction Centre for National Disasters to be Set Up
Romania, Greece and Bulgaria plan to establish a regional rapid reaction centre for national disasters.
The three countries have already discussed the proposal and are now deciding where to headquarter the new centre. Forest fires claimed 64 lives in Greece last month, while dozens of people were killed in floods in Romania and Bulgaria.
In other news Thursday, a two-day meeting of the foreign ministers of the South East European Co-operation Process opened in Sofia. The main topic is the transformation of the Stability Pact into the Regional Co-operation Council
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_63886875
15 septembre 2007
Bulgaria Assesses Security Risks
12 09 2007 Sofia_ Kosovo’s unresolved status remains the biggest security risk in the region, Bulgaria’s National Intelligence Service chief, Kircho Kirov, said at a forum on security in South-eastern Europe.
According to Kirov, any further delay to reaching a settlement on Kosovo increases the probability of a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo’s Albanian leadership and subsequent recognition by a number of countries.
The current situation might revive radical groups of Kosovo’s independence-seeking majority Albanians or its minority Serbs who want to remain part of Serbia.
In such a tense environment a minor incident could set off ethnic clashes similar to those in March 2004, said Kirov.
The National Intelligence Service chief also warned that an unfavourable development in Kosovo was likely to result in the radicalization of ethnic Albanian demands in Macedonia.
According to intelligence information, there are plans for a referendum on whether the ethnic Albanian-inhabited village of Tanusevci in Macedonia should join neighbouring Kosovo.
Kirov added that "sleeper" cells of international organizations – agents awaiting instructions -- were very likely to be based in the region, including Bulgaria.
According to Nikolai Zlatev, a department chief at the National Security Service, some 10,000 nationals of so-called “risk countries” were currently in Bulgaria.
Zlatev said that the transit flow of people posed another threat to Bulgaria because it would help the infiltration of terrorist elements into the country.
"The Balkans were of interest to Islamic radicalism in the 1990s", Zlatev said.
“At present there is no process of radicalization detected among Muslims in Bulgaria. This ensures stability and security in the country, and shows that Bulgaria has a working model for the successful prevention of radical Islamism", Zlatev said.
"Terrorism cannot be fought by way of isolated operations", Bulgarian Interior Minister Roumen Petkov said at the conference.
Petkov argued that the six years since the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York have demonstrated the need for multinational cooperation in combating the threat from terrorism.
http://www.birn.eu.com/en/102/15/4319/
08 septembre 2007
Bulgaria with Visa-Free Regime for Neighbouring Countries?
Bulgaria has the ambitions to apply first the possibility for visa-free regime with the neighbouring countries, said in Vidin the Minister of foreign affairs Ivaylo Kalfin.
A draft agreement with our neighbours has been prepared, it has been coordinated with the respective ministries. The procedure requires confirmation from the representatives of the European Commission. At the moment our proposal is being analyzed in the EC, said Kalfin.
The proposal is the visa-free regime to be for a 30-km zone and where there are specifics of the administrative division, it to be extended to 50 km. Bulgaria not only is not interested but has never wanted to have visa with its neighbours and therefore we make everything possible to relieve this regime which later to be completely removed, said also Kalfin.
We work very actively especially with the governments of Serbia and Macedonia, including for the preparation of the so called “white Schengen list”, which means removal of visa even before EU membership.
http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1162618769
29 juin 2007
BULGARIA CONTINUES TALKS ON US ANTI-MISSILE SHIELD IN EUROPE
During a visit in the Czech Republic, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin once again brought up the issue of the US anti-missile shield to be set in Europe, Xinhua news agency reported.
Kalfin said during a meeting with his Czech counterpart Karel Schwarzenberg that talks about the shield should be held within NATO.
At the same time, intentions of the US had to be clear, so that Russia did not feel threatened, Kalfin said as quoted by Xinhua.
Schwarzenberg said that the Czech Republic also believed the equipment to be installed in various European countries should be part of the NATO defence system.
Russia will continue being part of the talks on defence policies in the future, Schwarzenberg said.
US recently announced its intentions, which troubled Russia. Bulgaria remains outside the shield and local officials said on various occasions that the system should be integrated for all NATO members.
28 juin 2007
New border crossings between Serbia and Bulgaria
Serbian President Boris Tadic and Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov will sign an Agreement today on opening new crossing points on the Serbian-Bulgarian border.
The agreement foresees opening of new crossing point Novo Korito on Serbian side of the border and the crossing point Salash on Bulgarian side of the border, as well as the crossing points of Petachinci and Bankja.
The signing ceremony will take place after the central part of the first Balkan trilateral military exercise Danube Guard 07, conducted by Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. The exercise takes place in the border areas of the three countries along Danube River.
http://www.mrt.com.mk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3102&Itemid=28
17 juin 2007
Easier transit for Turkish workers through Bulgaria
| Bulgarian Consul General in Edirne Angel Angelov said that they had implemented the necessary measures to prevent Turkish workers in European countries from facing difficulties during their return passage to Turkey via Bulgaria. | |
| Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Angelov said that with Bulgaria's attainment of EU membership, customs, visa and policing standards had been modified to meet EU regulations. "That's why Turkish workers can return to their home country by road without difficulty," Angelov said. As of May 10 those who have the visa of any EU member country can make transit passes through Bulgaria, so long as this takes less than five days. There are millions of Turkish workers residing and working in European countries and they mostly prefer to visit Turkey during their vacation, usually in summertime. Those who return to Turkey by motorway have to pass through Bulgaria, but in the past most of then faced problems with both customs and visas. There were long queues and travelers often had to wait hours at a time, or even days. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=114101 |
15 juin 2007
Attack party insists on Passy and Kuneva taking legal responsibility over NPP Kozloduy’s units 3 and 4 closure
| 14 June 2007 | 17:30 | FOCUS News Agency |
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Sofia. The chief EU negotiators – Meglena Kuneva and Solomon Passy must bear the political and legal responsibility for the signing of the deceitful clause for Bulgaria from the EU Accession Treaty due to which Bulgaria closed units 3 and 4 of NPP Kozloduy, MEP Dimitar Stoyanov told journalists during a media briefing where he expressed Attack party’s stand that the clause for closing the nuke’s units 3 and 4 is invalid since the EU Enlargement Commissioner has misled the country, FOCUS News Agency journalist reported. |