North Macedonia’s integration into EU – provided principles of good neighbourhood are observed

Bujar Osmani, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia met, in Athens, with his Greek counterpart Mikos Dendias. He was also received by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. During these meetings the Greek side reaffirmed its support for North Macedonia’s European perspective.

Stress was laid on the fact that observance of the principles of good neighbourhood is a leading criterion. The sides discussed a plan for the implementation of the strategic partnership agreement. Mikos Dendias stated that a security vacuum cannot be allowed to form in the Western Balkans because it can easily be filled by non-European forces, BTA reports.

Arrests in Serbia over money laundering in connection with cross-border project with Bulgaria

Several municipal administration officials in the town of Surdulica were arrested on 14 January, including the chairman of the municipal council, Tanjug reports. The Serbian town is located on the Western outlands close to the border with Bulgaria.

The arrests were carried out by the anti-corruption directorate in the town of Niš. The charges are of embezzlement and money laundering connected with the implementation of projects under the European cross-border cooperation programme.

According to the investigating authorities, in 2014 the persons apprehended approved a bid by a company which was 29,000 euro higher than the alternative offer. ​

Turkey ready to put relations with EU “back on track”: Recep Erdogan

In an address to EU ambassadors in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Erdogan stated Turkey was ready to put relations with the EU “back on track”, BTA reports.
“Uncertainties that are increasing with Brexit can only be dissipated with Turkey receiving its rightful place in the European family,” President Erdogan said. “It is in our hand to make the year 2021 a success in Turkey-EU relations.”
This statement comes after it was announced that the exploratory maritime talks between Turkey and Greece were to be resumed on 25 January in Istanbul. Recep Erdogan called for the transformation of the Eastern Mediterranean from a competition area into a cooperation basin to serve the region's long-term interests.

Interest in skiing vacations in Bulgaria on the rise among Romanian tourists

Bulgaria is starting the 2021 tourist season with not-to-be-missed skiing vacation offers, the Romanian Аdevarul newspaper writes. The demand for skiing vacations in Bulgaria has been on the rise since the country was taken off the list of coronavirus high-risk countries, the paper writes and adds that many tourists have been making last-minute reservations. According to Аdevarul data, the highest number of reservations made for skiing vacations in Bulgaria are for mid-January and the mid-term school vacation in Romania – 30 January–7 February. SPA centres have opened at the hotels where tourists can relax after their day of skiing, Аdevarul writes.

Greece proposes creation of Covid-19 vaccination certificate

In a letter to the European Commission, Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis proposes the creation of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to facilitate travel within the EU.

“It is urgent to adopt a common understanding on how a vaccination certificate should be structured so as to be accepted in all member states,” Mitsotakis states. He is hoping the issue will be considered at the European Council meeting on 21 January.

Greece’s Prime Minister states that restoring the freedom of movement is a top priority but that Greece “is not going to make vaccination compulsory or a prerequisite for travel or entry into the country.” In the Greek Prime Minister’s words the certificate will also prompt people to get vaccinated.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov