Italy to open two migrant processing centers in Albania

In October, Italy will open the first of its two migrant processing centers on Albanian territory, announced Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, reported ANSA. The two countries have an agreement to build centers for migrants rescued at sea by Italian ships. These migrants will remain in Albania while Italy processes their asylum applications. The agreement has been criticized by the Albanian and Italian opposition, as well as by human rights organizations. It was challenged in Albania's Constitutional Court, but the court ruled in favor of the agreement reached by Prime Minister Edi Rama's government. The agreement between Italy and Albania is the first example of a non-EU country accepting migrants on behalf of an EU member state.

Serbia to reintroduce mandatory military service

The Serbian government has instructed the Ministry of Defense to begin the process of reinstating compulsory military service. Mandatory military service was abolished in 2011 and since then Serbia has relied on its professional army, B92 reported. The compulsory military service would last 75 days. The country plans to reintroduce the compulsory military service by the middle of 2025. Currently, it is being specified how conscripts with technical specialties will serve in the respective organizational units of the Serbian army and the Ministry of Defense that require specific technical skills.

North Macedonia's Premier Mickoski in Brussels: European integration should not be based on bilateral issues

''The process of integration with the European Union, both for us and for the region, should be based on a process that evaluates achievements and not on bilateral issues as a decisive factor'', North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in Brussels on Thursday. Hristijan Mickoski and other Western Balkan leaders attended a working lunch hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to Mickoski, his country has been trying for two and a half decades to enter the EU, but has been a victim of bilateral issues. ''I will remind you that in the name of European values, we changed the flag, we changed banknotes, we changed the Constitution several times, we changed the name, we have done a lot of things to show that we really want to be part of the European family'', said Mickoski quoted by MIA. This statement comes shortly after Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Nikoloski called Bulgarians "uncivilized" in a TV interview.

Romania is seeking compensation from the EU due to the high electricity prices

Romania will ask the EU for compensation for the significant energy price differences between the west and the east of the continent, Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja said, reported Radio Romania International. He explained that the difference was due to a drop in the country's hydropower production due to drought, as well as problems with interconnectors preventing the export of cheaper energy from west to east. Romania is also providing energy support to Moldova and Ukraine, which further puts pressure on prices in the country. Currently, the price of electricity in Romania is nearly EUR 150/MWh, significantly above the European average of almost EUR 102/MWh.

The population of sea turtles is increasing along the shores of Cyprus

Protected green and loggerhead turtles are making a big comeback on the beaches of two British military bases in Cyprus, with the number of nests surpassing last year’s record count by nearly 25%, environmentalists said, quoted by BTA. 382 turtle nests have been recorded this year on the beaches of the two bases- 100 more than in 2023. ''The sharp increase in the number of turtle nests is the result of a consistent, systematic ''hands-off'' approach, along with efforts to minimize illegal and harmful activities on nesting beaches", Bases Environmental and Police Officer Alexia Perdiou told Associated Press. Britain retained two military bases along Cyprus’ southern coast after the east Mediterranean island gained independence from colonial rule in 1960.

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov