The successful implementation of the judicial reform is an important signal, first of all for the citizens of Albania, who want to see progress in the irreversible transformation of Albania as part of its path toward EU accession.
This declaration was made by the German ambassador to Tirana, Susanne Schutz.
During a joint reception with the EU delegation and representatives of the EU countries which participate in the EURALIUS consortium, the German diplomat thanked EURALIUS IV (European Assistance Mission to the Albanian Justice System).
“Thanks to the precious contribution given by EURALIUS team and the excellent cooperation with our partners in the justice system, parliament and government, the reform in the Albanian justice system has led to substantial changes in the Albanian Constitution and in dozens of laws and legal provisions”, she said. /ibna/
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Turkey among the countries urged by the EU to deliver on Syria promises
Syria needs better days. That is the least one can say.
On Wednesday, on the occasion of the gathering in Brussels of international donors who are looking forward to obtaining aid funds for war-stricken Syria, EU officials formally urged Russia, Iran and Turkey EU to guarantee a ceasefire in Syria.
The bloc’s Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini referred to the three states saying that they have a “special responsibility” halt fighting and press Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad “to return to the negotiating table”, the AP reads.
The unfortunate escalation in military activities worries the Union’s officials.
According to AP’s report, “Around 80 countries, organizations and partners backing Syria are taking part in the donor conference. The EU hopes the meeting will give impetus to stalled peace moves under U.N. auspices, on top of gathering several billion dollars in humanitarian aid for Syria and for neighbors like Lebanon and Jordan, struggling to cope with millions of refugees. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said his country will provide 1 billion euros in new funding for 2018 and subsequent years.
The EU, along with many other partners, refuses to help with serious reconstruction in Syria until meaningful peace moves to end the conflict, now into its eighth year, resume in Geneva.”… / IBNA
Main Photo: EU Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura
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Nimetz: Both sides committed to solution, talks to continue
UN envoy Matthew Nimetz said after a meeting with Greek and fYROMacedonia Foreign Ministers, Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov respectively, that they held intensive talks during which both sides showed mutual respect.
“Both sides are committed to reaching a solution and the process will continue in the coming weeks,” said after the meeting that took place in the UN Office in Vienna.
He added these meetings have intensified in recent months, while issues discussed are already familiar.
FMs Kotzias and Dimitrov failed to give media statements after the three-hour talks.
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Migrant smugglers arrested by BiH’s Border Police
The Bosnia and Herzegovina Prosecution Office announced on Wednesday that local Border Police officers arrested two persons suspected of smuggling migrants from BiH to Croatia. As it was confirmed earlier, six persons were arrested on Tuesday while the Prosecution Office has already demanded they remain in custody due to possible influence on potential witnesses.
“The persons that has been demanded to remain in custody are mostly residents of the BiH-Croatia border region, in the area of the Una Sana Canton. According to the investigation findings, they have crossed the border illegally several times while committing criminal offences”, the BiH Prosecution Office announced.
BiH Border Police confirmed that officers, under the authorisation by the country’s Prosecution Office, realised Operational Actions “Taurus” and “Ox”, aimed against smugglers of migrants. During the operations, eight locations in the area of Una-Sana Canton were searched. Six citizens from BiH were apprehended on the grounds of suspicion for the “Organising a group of people or association for the smuggling of migrants” criminal offence in relation to that of “People smuggling”.
“During the searches, evidence material was seized, as well as some weapons and ammunition, while on one location, eight illegal migrants from Kosovo and Iraq were found. Operations were realised in co-operation with the Croatian Interior Ministry on the territory of both countries. Searches were conducted in Croatia as well, whereby 11 persons were apprehended. During the operations, officers of BP BiH were given support by colleagues from the Ministry of the Interior of Una-Sana Canton. We also had the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)”, BiH Border Police said in a press release.
Collection and processing of data within case “Taurus” began in January 2018, while Operational Action “Ox” kickstarted in February 2018. Police officers of the Central Investigation Office of BP BiH, identified more than thirty persons in two organised criminal groups that participated in illegal activities aimed at smuggling migrants from BiH to Croatia. Both groups were active in the area of Bihać and Velika Kladuša. It was documented that they had committed smuggling and transportation of at least 100 foreigners, among them Turks and Kosovars, and a small number of Afghans and Iraqis. They charged them between EUR 500 and EUR 550 for smuggling them across the BiH border.
“Police officers implement reinforced measures at the border, aimed at deterring citizens from high migration risk countries from attempting to enter BiH illegally and perform thorough controls of freight vehicles coming from Serbia and Montenegro. At the same time, they collect information about organised criminal groups that take advantage of the migrants’ misfortune, and gain illegal benefits from smuggling them”, stressed the BiH Border Police…. / IBNA
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HGIC and the two Chinese potential buyers
National Bank’s Board of Directors decided to re-start the procedure for the sale of its subsidiary insurance company with the two potential buyers of the previous tender.
The issue of the Hellenic General Insurance Company (HGIC) was the most important issue of discussion in today’s Board of Directors as the Financial Stability Fund allegedly proposed to re-open the tender, while the bank’s management turned out to be in favour of the the re-start of the procedure with the two potential buyers. They are Fosun and secondarily Gongbao, that had made it to the final round last year.
Besides, it is known that discussions with the Chinese giant Fosun are reportedly at an advanced stage and the Chinese have publicly expressed their interest in acquiring the HGIC.
At the same time, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved the exit programme, which involves the removal of up to 500 employees. The financial benefits of the program are expected to move to the same level as the corresponding programmes implemented by the banks in 2017, with a maximum compensation amount of 180,000 euros…. / IBNA
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Athens eyes bailout conclusion in summer of 2018
Speaking during a press briefing session on Wednesday, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos provided some insight into the thinking of the Tsipras administration with regards to its plans to conclude its bailout program. According to the spokesman, Athens believes it is feasible to complete talks on the conclusion of the program on 21 June. However, he added, should any prior actions remain incomplete at that time, a Eurogroup meeting at a later date could be called to rubber-stamp a deal to conclude the bailout program which officially expires in August. As things stand, Greece’s creditors have pointed to several prior actions – from a list of 88 deliverables making up the 4th and final review of the bailout program – may require more time to be successfully implemented. These include agreed privatizations, reducing NPLs and energy market reforms. On Wednesday, the government made progress with one of the thorniest prior actions regarding the energy industry, by debating a draft bill in parliament which paves the way for the sale of lignite-fired power stations owned by the Public Power Corporation. Unionists and opposition parties slammed the privatization of the plants, branding them a “fire-sale”. Despite the criticism, the government spokesman defended economic policy, arguing that the government has not only managed to put state finances in order, but in the last two years it has also proceeded with the distribution of a 2 billion euro social dividend in support of poorer Greeks. Tzanakopoulos went on to criticize the International Monetary Fund, pointing out that it has consistently underestimated the prospects of the Greek economy in recent years. Athens has maintained that its efforts to promote “fair growth” within the constraints of a strict adjustment program have been ignored by the Washington-based Fund. “Nobody can dispute anymore that the fiscal adjustment in Greece is over and that it is now necessary to speed up all necessary procedures towards a clean exit from the bailout program in August 2018” Tzanakopoulos said…. / IBNA
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