Serbia will not allow instability to spill over from Ukraine to the Balkans

Serbia is a pillar of stability in the Western Balkans, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said at a meeting with Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Belgrade, TANJUG news agencyreports. We will not allow instability and crisis to spread to this part оf Europe, Brnabić vowed.

She thanked Vienna for its support for Serbia's European integration.Austria, by total investments, is Serbia's second most important partner after Germany. Austrian companies have so far invested 2.585 billion euros in the country, employing more than 22,000 people, and in 2021 the trade was worth 1.36 billion euros. This is 28% more than in 2020, Bernabic has pointed out.

After his visit to Belgrade, the Austrian chancellor met with politicians in Sarajevo, Politika newspaper writes.

Montenegro seeks a way out of cabinet crisis

An agreement for the formation of a Montenegrin government, headed by the nominated prime minister, Dritan Abazovićhas been drawn up. The Bulgarian news agency BTA quotes Montenegrin radio Antena M as saying that 40 MPs from 10 parties will support the new cabinet. 

The agreement provides for the election of senior magistrates and the introduction of judicial reforms in line with the Montenegrin constitution, EU standards and Venice Commission recommendations. A law is to be adopted on the investigation of the origin of assets. The agreement also foresees a reform of the electoral system that incorporates the recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation and ensures minority representation by determining the number of seats for Albanian MPs. 

North Macedonia depopulation data expected on March 30

North Macedonia census results are to be announced on March 30, Apostol Simovski, director of the State Statistical Service, said in an interview with TV24.

“It would be an illusion to expect an increase of the population when emigration has increased. A very wrong demographic strategy was devised 16 years ago, as it was focused on birth rate and the young people who carry it are those who emigrate. Another type of policy is required. Everyone should have the option for a good job and payment, quality education and health care, as well as good connectivity to every point in the state, but even if this is done a demographic boom cannot be expected,” Simovski commented.

The last complete census on the Republic of North Macedonia was held in 2002.

Turkey attracts US firms fleeing Russia

1,100 American companies which were doing business in Russia, would shift some of their operations to Turkey, Myron Brilliant, executive vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told the Hyrriet.

The remarks came on the side-lines of a signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Myron Brilliant also said that Turkey may attract investments especially in the areas of healthcare, energy, digital technologies, food and agriculture.

The way we see it, Turkey is an attractive regional investment and trade hub, said Brilliant and advised Ankara to improve its digital and physical infrastructure in order to provide a more inviting environment for investors.

TOBB chair Rifat Hisarcıcıklıoğlu has expressed his expectation that bilateral trade turnover will reach $100 billion.

Romania starts production of armoured vehicles for the infantry

Bucharest Mechanical Plant (Uzina Mecanica Bucuresti) will produce 227 Piranha armoured vehiclesin partnership with General Dynamics European Land Systems-Romania, Economy Minister Florin Spătaru said.

Romania has become one of the first countries where production of modern military equipment and machinery is located, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca said at the signing ceremony of the joint venture agreement, reports AGERPRES. According to him, other private companies are also involved in this partnership, which will be the beginning for Romania’s defence industry.

He expects the partnership "to generate added value, projects and products that are so needed in the defence industry and in the region", and Romania to become a regional exporter of equipment for the defence industry. 

Compiled by Ivo Ivanov

Editor: Elena Karkalanova