General News

6/3/2010
Personalization of the latest generation of biometric passports has started in BH
01.06.2010IDDEEA – BH Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange has started today the personalization of the latest generation of biometric passports, so-called extended access... read more

6/2/2010
EU-Western Balkans summit in Sarajevo
Sarajevo, Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans countries and representatives of the EU, US as well as Russian and Turkey are slated to meet in Sarajevo on Wednesday.Foreign Ministers of Albania, ... read more

5/28/2010
Brussels, 27 May 2010 (MIA)
Bosnians and Albanians should be offered visa-free access to the European Union's Schengen area as long as their nations address some outstanding security issues, the European Commission said Thursda... read more

5/5/2010
European officials want visa requirement removed for BH, Albania
4.5.2010 15:16:00 | Source/Author PressCut Spain’s interior minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba, EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs’ Chairman Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar... read more

3/26/2010
Regional Ministerial Conference on displaced persons and refugees held in Belgrade 25.03.2010
Belgrade - The problem with the refugees and the internally displaced persons in Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina is not fully solved hence the necessity for intensifying the re... read more

3/18/2010
BH Presented Progress in Fulfilling Conditions for Visa Liberalization
BH Presented Progress in Fulfilling Conditions for Visa Liberalization  Sarajevo, 17 March (FENA) – On 17 March, Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union organized a meeting with ... read more

3/8/2010
Bonn, March 2 (MIA)
 - European Parliament visa liberalization rapporteur Tanja Fajon urged authorities in Macedonia and Serbia to inform citizens on the existence of agencies, which take money and give false promi... read more

1/30/2010
Croatian-BH task force for border crossings meets in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - A Croatian-BH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) task force in charge of preparing talks on changes to bilateral agreements on border crossings held its first meeting at the Croatian Foreign ... read more

1/29/2010
Croatian MPs back bill to ratify police cooperation agreement with Serbia
ZAGREB, Croatia - Members of the Croatian Parliament backed a bill to ratify a police cooperation agreement with the Serbian government on 28 January 2010.The State Secretary at the Ministry of the I... read more

1/28/2010
Croatia to speed up preparations for use of EU funds
ZAGREB, Croatia - The European Union Commissioner for Regional Policy, Pawel Samecki, called on the Croatian authorities to speed up preparations for the use of EU cohesion funds.Samecki met with Pri... read more

1/27/2010
Austria supports the liberalisation of visa regime in BH
VIENNA, Austria - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the Bosnia and Herzegovina's Minister of Security, Mr. Sadik Ahmetovic and Minister of Internal Affairs of Austria, Ms. Maria Fekter ... read more

1/25/2010
BH Foreign Minister's official visit to Montenegro
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - As stated in the Press Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairsof Bosnia and Herzegovina, Minister Alkalaj will meet with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, M... read more

1/18/2010
Issuing of biometric passports in Croatia begins on 18 January 2010
ZAGREB, Croatia - All police departments in Croatia started issuing biometric passports on 18 January 2010. The passports, apart from looking different than current ones, contain a chip with personal... read more

1/15/2010
Over 45,000 biometric passports personalised in BH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - During the period from 15 October 2009 until 15 January 2010, the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers, and Data Exchange of BH – IDDEEA has personalised ... read more

1/14/2010
Croatian Government proposes changes to Law on Permanent and Temporary Residence
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian government sent to Parliament a bill of amendments to the Law on Permanent and Temporary Residence on 14 January 2010 which enables the removal of citizens from the reg... read more

12/22/2009
BH and Montenegro sign an Agreement on Border Crossing Points
TREBINJE, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Deputy BH Minister of Security,  Mijo Kresic and President of the Commission for determination of border crossings of Montenegro, Milan Paunovic signed in Treb... read more

12/16/2009
German police donate 260,000 EUR in equipment for Croatian police
ZAGREB, Croatia - The German police donated equipment worth about 260,000 EUR for the Croatian border, crime and riot police on 16 December 2009.Addressing a ceremony at the Croatian Police Directora... read more

12/7/2009
Workshop for border police on suppressing drug smuggling takes place in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - A four-day workshop on financial investigations aimed at suppressing drug smuggling for border policemen and other police officials from ten southeastern European and eastern Medite... read more

12/4/2009
Croatia to introduce permanent visa-free regime for Serbian and Montenegrin nationals
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian government has launched a procedure to put Serbia and Montenegro on the list of countries whose nationals do not need visas to stay in Croatia for up to 90 days, accord... read more

12/3/2009
Croatia joins in marking International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
ZAGREB, Croatia - The PETRA network for prevention and elimination of trafficking in women and girls and the Croatian government's office for human rights on Wednesday released 82 balloons in downtow... read more

12/2/2009
Agreement between the Republic of Albania and EUROPOL
TIRANA, Albania - The Minister of Interior of the Republic of Albania Lulzim Basha and the Director of European Police Office (EUROPOL), Mr. Rob Wainwright, signed the "Strategic Agreement between th... read more

11/30/2009
EU Council Grants Visa-Free Travel for Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU member states decided on 30 November 2009 to grant visa-free travel to nationals of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia when entering the bloc’s Schengen area, as of 19 December 2... read more

11/28/2009
PM says Croatia will invest in adjustments to EU, including 5,000 policemen for Schengen border
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia will invest nearly HRK 4 billion (EUR 1 = HRK 7.32 ) in alignment with European Union standards in 2010 and 2011, including in securing the new Schengen border on which 5,00... read more

11/24/2009
BH MFA held talks with Macedonian Assembly delegation
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sven Alkalaj received a Delegation from the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, led by Assembly President T... read more

11/23/2009
New Centre for Immigration opened in BH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina fulfilled another precondition from the Roadmap for Visa Liberalisation.  With financial assistance from EU (1.2 million EUR), Bosnia an... read more

11/23/2009
A delegation of the Slovenian MOI pay a visit to Macedonia
SKOPJE, Macedonia - A delegation of the Slovenian Ministry of Interior led by minister Katarina Kresal and Director General of the Slovenian Police Janko Gorsek will pay a visit to Macedonia on 23 an... read more

11/18/2009
Macedonia and Norway signed a bilateral agreement on an integrated database for foreigners
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska and the Ambassador of Norway Kjetil Paulsen signed a bilateral agreement for implementation of the project "Development of an integrated data... read more

11/17/2009
Progress in Albania’s EU membership application
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Council of the European Union decided to give a mandate to the European Commission to start the preparations on the “avis” for Albania’s application for EU membership. Albania... read more

11/17/2009
Preconditions met for establishment of operational cooperation with Europol - MK Interior Minister
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Republic of Macedonia is committed to realising all activities stemming from an action plan on implementation of cooperation agreement with Europol, the Roadmap and a memorandum o... read more

11/4/2009
Consultations between MFAs of BH and Serbia
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bilateral consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Serbia were held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ... read more

10/27/2009
Third Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to be held in Athens
ATHENS, Greece - The Third Global Forum on Migration and Development will be held in Athens on 4-5 November 2009. This year's theme is “Integrating migration policies in development strategies for th... read more

10/26/2009
Macedonia, Australia sign social insurance agreement
CANBERRA, Australia - Macedonian emigrants living and working in Australia will be able to exercise their rights, deriving from the pension, disability insurance if they return to Macedonia, reads th... read more

10/23/2009
EC adopts proposals to amend two laws relating to the Common European Asylum System
BRUSSELS, Belgium - On 21 October 2009, the Commission adopted proposals to amend two existing laws relating to the Common European Asylum System: the Directive on qualification and status of persons... read more

10/22/2009
Croatia granted EUR 250 million from EU pre-accession funds by mid-2009
ZAGREB, Croatia - In the period from 2003 to mid-2009, Croatia received EUR 250.17 million through pre-accession programmes of the European Union, and EUR 239.8 million of that amount was spent on di... read more

10/22/2009
ILECU project on enhancement of inter-state support in fight against crime
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The International Law Enforcement Coordination Units (ILECUs) project, which aims at improving police cooperation and timely information exchange in international investigations, ... read more

10/20/2009
Diplomatic seminar on freedom, security and justice held in Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK, Croatia - Challenges and the future of the common European area of freedom, security and justice were the topics of the 8th international diplomatic seminar that started in Dubrovnik on 20... read more

10/17/2009
Croatia marks EU anti-trafficking day
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia joined in marking the European Day Against Human Trafficking on 17 October 2009, with a rally organised in downtown Zagreb by the Croatian Interior Ministry, the Government'... read more

10/16/2009
BH elected Non-Permanent Member of the UN Security Council
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - In the first round of voting which was held on 15 October 2009, by 183 votes, the United Nations General Assembly elected Bosnia and Herzegovina one of the five new... read more

10/15/2009
Western Balkans secure internal borders with EU help
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The EU is helping to secure five thousand kilometres of extra internal borders in the Western Balkans, which have appeared following the collapse of former Yugoslavia, the Europea... read more

10/15/2009
Issuing of biometric passports started in BH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Issuing of biometric passports has started in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of 15 October 2009. Passports must be issued within thirty days after the application. ... read more

10/14/2009
"Migration News" overview of migration in the Western Balkans
DAVIS, United States - The European Commission in July 2009 proposed that citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro join Croatia in having visa-free access to EU member nations.  If the EU Pa... read more

10/8/2009
Twenty-one persons arrested by Montenegrin Marine Border Police
HERCEG NOVI, Montenegro - Officials from the Marine Border Police Unit of Police of Montenegro arrested 21 persons when trying to illegally leave the territorial water of Montenegro by boat.The offic... read more

10/7/2009
EC urged to expand visa-free scheme for WB countries
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Parliament (EP) Foreign Affairs Committee supported on 6 October 2009 a proposal by the European Commission to scrap visa requirements for citizens of Serbia, Montene... read more

10/6/2009
Speech by Milan Rocen, Meeting of MFAs of the WB, V4, Spain, Belgium and Sweden
BUDAPEST, Hungary -  Mr. Milan Rocen, Montenegrin Minister of Foreign Affairs has delivered a speech at the Meeting of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the countries of the Western Balkans, V4, ... read more

10/5/2009
Speech by Tobias Billström, Launch of the UNDP Programme’s Human Development Report
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Welcome to this Swedish launch of UNDP’s annual report, which this year is about migration and the effects it has – and can have – on development.Before I proceed in Swedish, I wo... read more

10/3/2009
Serbia fulfills visa conditions, according to an EP official
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbia has fulfilled all conditions for the lifting of the visa regime, said an EP official.If everything goes in line with the expectations, the Serbian citizens should have their... read more

10/1/2009
EP debates Western Balkans' visa liberalisation
STRASBOURG, France - EP Rapporteur on visa liberalisation for the Western Balkans, Slovenian MEP Tanja Fajon sparked debate at the European Parliament (EP) on 30 September 2009, by asking to include ... read more

9/30/2009
Ministers agree on strengthening regional cooperation in fight against organised crime
BELGRADE, Serbia - A two-day regional conference of ministers of justice and the interior of western Balkan countries finished in Belgrade on 29 September 2009 with the adoption of a joint declaratio... read more

9/30/2009
BH CoM: "All the conditions from Roadmap for Visa Liberalisation are fullfilled"
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - At its session held on 30 September 2009, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted the Strategy for suppressing of money laundry and financing... read more

9/29/2009
UNHCR, EC sign IPA agreement on regional refugee return
ZAGREB, Croatia - The U.N.'s refugee relief agency UNHCR and the European Commission have signed the fourth agreement on the implementation of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) which ... read more

9/28/2009
EC Barrot says cooperation in fighting organised crime important for region's stability
BELGRADE, Serbia - The European Commission Vice-President responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security, Jacques Barrot, said in Belgrade on 28 September 2009 that the Balkans needed a successful cro... read more

9/25/2009
UNHCR, EC sign IPA agreement on regional social inclusion project in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the European Commission have signed an agreement on the implementation of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (... read more

9/23/2009
Agreement on cooperation among BH institutions involved in state border management
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - An agreement was signed at BH Ministry of Security n Sarajevo on 23 September 2009 on cooperation between institutions involved in the process of integrated managem... read more

9/22/2009
Conference on enhancing partnership for regional development held in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - The conference "Enhancing Partnership for Regional Development in Croatia" was organised in Zagreb on 22 September 2009 as the last event in the context of the EU-CARDS 2004 Regiona... read more

9/21/2009
EU migration policy discussed at Ministerial Council meeting in Brussels
BRUSELS, Belgium - The meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council took place in Brussels on 21 September 2009. The issue of migration was discussed at the Council meeting. "It was a successful m... read more

9/9/2009
Regional ministerial conference on illegal migration held in Brdo
BRDO PRI KRANJU, Slovenia -  Ninth Regional ministerial conference on illegal migration, organised crime, corruption and terrorism, jointly organised by the Ministry of the Interior of the Repub... read more

9/8/2009
Serbia and BH to sign police cooperation agreement
BELGRADE, Serbia - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic stated that Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will sign agreements on police cooperation and the fight against orga... read more

9/4/2009
Slovenia assists BH in achieving roadmaps for visa liberalisation
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - On 3 and 4 September 2009, Slovenia is hosting the training of consular agents from Bosnia and Herzegovina for the introduction of biometric passports, which is one of the condi... read more

9/3/2009
Elaborate on Blocking of Secondary Border Crossing Points signed between BH and Montenegro
PLUZINE, Montenegro - Mr. Svevlad Hoffmann, Head of Department for Control of Border Crossing in BH Border Police and Mr. Vukoman Zarkovic, Head of Department for Control of Border Crossing from Mont... read more

9/2/2009
EC proposes co-ordinated refugee resettlement across EU
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Confronted with the issue of increasing numbers of irregular migrants attempting to arrive on Europe's shores, the European Commission on 2 September 2009 proposed a scheme to co-... read more

8/7/2009
Croatian government donates building material to BH Croat returnees
ZAGREB, Croatia - Officials of the Croatian Ministry of Regional Development, Forestry and Water Management on 7 August 2009 presented some 20 Croat returnee families in the central town of Uskoplje,... read more

7/30/2009
EU reiterates support for Western Balkan nations' integration
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The EU hopes "to give a new impetus to the European integration process in the Western Balkans" in the coming months, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, whose country currently ... read more

7/29/2009
Sweden pledges new momentum for Western Balkans
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Swedish Presidency of the EU vowed on 27 July 2009 to give new momentum to the integration of the Western Balkan countries this fall. Speaking to journalists in Brussels, Swed... read more

7/28/2009
EC decided to transfer the competence for IPA funds to Macedonia
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The European Commission's decision to transfer the competence for IPA Funds management to Macedonia, is the theme of the press conference scheduled for 28 July 2009 in the governm... read more

7/26/2009
Three regions from Croatia, Hungary and Serbia sign cross-border cooperation agreement
ZAGREB, Croatia - Three regions from Croatia, Hungary and Serbia signed an agreement in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad on 25 July 2009 to promote cross-border cooperation.The agreement was sig... read more

7/20/2009
BH Border Police commences joint patrols with Montenegrin MoI
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Border Police of BiH (BP), starting 20 July 2009, commences joint patrols with the colleagues from the Montenegro Ministry of Interior and Public Administration, al... read more

7/15/2009
EC recommends visa-free travel for Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Ending weeks of speculation, the European Commission (EC) on 15 July 2009 recommended abolishing visa requirements for citizens of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, effective in J... read more

7/15/2009
Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce biometric passport
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosnia and Herzegovina will start issuing out biometric passports from 1 January 2010 to all its citizens, despite the fact that they will still have to have visas ... read more

7/9/2009
Frontex predicts decrease in irregular migration into Europe in 2009
ROME, Italy - On 9 July 2009, the European Borders Agency (Frontex) presented figures on irregular migration in Europe during the first three months of 2009. The number of irregular migrants stopped ... read more

7/8/2009
Croatian, BH and Montenegrin foreign ministers discuss border area cooperation
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic took part in Herceg Novi, Montenegro on 8 July 2009 in a meeting supporting cooperation of local communities in the Croatian-Montenegrin... read more

6/30/2009
Launching of the system for biometric passports issuance in BH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - A new system for biometric passports issuance is to be put into operation as of 1 July 2009 in its test phase. A new system for registers for JMB, permanent and tem... read more

6/30/2009
Ceremony held to mark the successful closure of the Twinning Assistance project “Support to the BiH Border Police”
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - The end of implementation of the second Twinning assistance project of the BiH Border Police and the Hungarian State Police was marked in the HQ of the BiH Border P... read more

6/23/2009
Five people granted asylum in Croatia, four given subsidiary protection status
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia has so far granted asylums to five applicants and subsidiary protection to another four applicants, and this happened mainly over the last year. Croatian Deputy Prime Minist... read more

6/19/2009
Conference on refugee protection and humanitarian work held in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian government and UNHCR organised in Zagreb on 18 June 2009 a conference on refugee protection and humanitarian work in Croatia in the last 18 years on the occasion of Wor... read more

6/18/2009
Croatian marking of World Refugee Day
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia started marking World Refugee Day,which is observed on global level on 20 June 2009, at the centre for asylum seekers in Kutina, 70 km southeast of Zagreb, on 15 June 2009 a... read more

6/17/2009
Croatia Ministry of Interior satisfied with US State Department report on trafficking
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian Ministry of the Interior is satisfied with the latest U.S. State Department report on human trafficking in which Croatia is described as a country successfully combatin... read more

6/16/2009
EU foreign ministers adopt recommendation on visa-free regime for Macedonia and other Western Balkan states
LUXEMBOURG - European Union foreign ministers agreed and issued a recommendation for annulment of visas for travel in EU member states for citizens of Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries tha... read more

6/16/2009
Croatia complies with standards for elimination of trafficking, says US State Department
WASHINGTON,D.C, USA - Croatia is a source, a transit country and destination country for men, women and children trafficked across national borders for the purpose of sexual exploitation and forced l... read more

6/15/2009
EU foreign ministers to debate visa liberalisation in Western Balkan countries
LUXEMBOURG - EU foreign ministers will discuss about the visa liberalisation of the Western Balkan countries that met the necessary requirements in Luxembourg on 15 June 2009.The EU Council will pres... read more

6/11/2009
Project for integrated border management along Croatian-BH border presented
METKOVIC, Croatia - A project for integrated border management along the southern part of the border between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina was presented in the southern Croatian town of Metkovic on ... read more

6/10/2009
Visa-free deal between Serbia and Russia kicks in
BELGRADE, Serbia - Starting 10 June 2009, Russian and Serbian citizens will be able to travel to each others' countries visa-free for up to one month.It comes with the entry into force of an agreemen... read more

6/9/2009
Serbia and Slovenia sign readmission protocol
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - The interior ministers of Serbia and Slovenia, Ivica Dacic and Katarina Kresal, signed a protocol between the two countries' governments on implementing an agreement between the... read more

6/4/2009
BH Council of Ministers adopted Visa Liberalisation Roadmap related laws
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - On its 89th Session, held on 4 June 2009, BH Council of Ministers adopted laws related to the Roadmap on Visa Liberalisation: the Law on International Legal Aid in ... read more

5/29/2009
EU-funded police reform project formally closed in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - The European Commission Delegation in Croatia and the Croatian Ministry of the Interior formally marked the closing of the PHARE 2005 twinning project "Strengthening Human Resources... read more

5/25/2009
Croatian and Serbian police sign cooperation agreement
RIJEKA, Croatia - The Interior Ministers of Croatia and Serbia, Tomislav Karamarko and Ivica Dacic, signed a police cooperation agreement in the northern Adriatic city of Rijeka on 25 May 2009, as pa... read more

5/22/2009
Introduction of biometric passports in Croatia as of July this year
ZAGREB, Croatia - The biometric passport in Croatia is going to be issued from 1 July 2009. With this move, Croatia is moving to a new highly secure electronic passport solution in order to comply wi... read more

5/21/2009
Croatian government endorses report on integrated border management
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian government a report on the implementation of the integrated border management strategy on 21 May 2009, read a press release issued by the government's public relations ... read more

5/20/2009
No visa free travel to EU for Albania, BH
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina have failed to fulfill conditions for the lifting of the EU's visa requirements, while Serbia still faces “certain difficulties,” media reporte... read more

5/19/2009
Slovenia wants changes to Croatia border resolution plan
BRUSSELS, Belgium – EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn confirmed on 19 May 2009 that he had received Slovenia's response to his latest proposal aimed at solving the long-standing border dispute be... read more

5/18/2009
Sweden has no plan B for Slovenian-Croatian border dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Sweden, which takes over the rotating European Union presidency on 1 July 2009, has no alternative plan in case the present efforts by EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn to med... read more

5/16/2009
Croatia participating in EU border security operation Neptune 2009
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - As of 27 May 2009, 13 police officers from Austria, Germany, Belgium, Estonia, Spain, Hungary, Italy and Great Britain will be deployed at four border crossings between Slovenia... read more

5/13/2009
BH Ministry of Security promoted strategy in the field of immigration and asylum
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Ministry of Security of BiH presented on 13 May 2009 in Sarajevo the Strategy in the field of immigration and asylum and Action Plan for its implementation, which h... read more

5/12/2009
Western Balkans pin hopes on lifting EU visa restrictions
BRUSSELS, Belgium - As their prospects of early European Union membership appear to have faded, Western Balkan countries are pinning their hopes on joining the EU's Schengen visa-free travel area, di... read more

5/8/2009
Slovenia: Croatia's EU talks won't be unblocked without changes to Rehn's proposal
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar has said that European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn should accept Slovenia's objections to his proposal for the settlement of the ... read more

5/5/2009
Croatian state leadership accepted Rehn's proposal on border dispute
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia accepted the latest proposal from European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn for the settlement of its border dispute with Slovenia, the Croatian state leadership decided a... read more

5/3/2009
Rehn says has exhausted his creativity in Croatian-Slovene border row
ZAGREB, Croatia - European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has said in an interview with the Austrian daily Der Standard that he has exhausted his creativity in efforts to solve the Croatian-Slove... read more

4/30/2009
Second stage of asylum system reform completed in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - The EUR 1 million CARDS 2004 twinning project "Strengthening of Asylum Procedure: Reform of Asylum II", which standardises the treatment of asylum seekers in all European Union coun... read more

4/29/2009
Slovenia to adopt final position on Rehn's border proposal next week
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Prime Minister Borut Pahor said on 28 April 2009 that Slovenia would adopt a final position on European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn's latest proposal for the settle... read more

4/29/2009
EU urges Slovenia and Croatia to settle border row
LUXEMBOURG, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg - The European Union urged both Slovenia and Croatia to find the solution to the border dispute, which would unblock Zagreb’s attempts to meet deadlines for EU a... read more

4/28/2009
Sweden helps BH in issuing of biometrical passports
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange of BiH (IDDEEA) Director Sinisa Macan and Swedish Ambassador to BiH Bosse Hedberg signed on 28 ... read more

4/27/2009
Macedonia, Czech Republic sign police cooperation memorandum
SKOPJE,Macedonia - Macedonian Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska and her Czech counterpart Ivan Langer signed on 27 April 2009 in Prague a bilateral memorandum aimed at heightening the cooperation ... read more

4/24/2009
Croatian citizens can get U.S. visas with validity of up to ten years
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Embassy of the United States of America in Zagreb informed about a possibility for the issuance of tourist and business visas with a validity of up to ten years for Croatian nat... read more

4/23/2009
Jandrokovic: Latest border dispute proposal contains to a large extent Croatia's views
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Gordan Jandrokovic, said that the latest proposal from European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn provide... read more

4/22/2009
Busek: Western Balkan countries, except Croatia, should be admitted to EU as a bloc
ZAGREB, Croatia - Erhard Busek, special enlargement adviser to the Czech EU Presidency, believes that Western Balkan countries should be admitted to the European Union as a bloc in order to avoid the... read more

4/21/2009
Rehn expects reduction of area of disagreement between Croatia, Slovenia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said in Brussels on 20 April 2009 that he expected the area of disagreement between Croatia and Slovenia, regarding the European Commis... read more

4/20/2009
Croatia rejects EU mediation in border dispute with Slovenia
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croat President Stipe Mesic has insisted on an appeal to the International Court of Justice in order to settle its border dispute with Slovenia. His comments followed press reports ... read more

4/17/2009
Ehrenkrona: Sweden supports Croatia's EU membership bid
ZAGREB, Croatia - Sweden, which takes over the rotating European Union presidency in the second half of the year, hopes that Croatia will soon become a full member of the EU and is determined to help... read more

4/15/2009
Sanader: Croatia can and must enter EU despite border dispute with Slovenia
KRAPINA, Croatia - During a visit to the northwestern town of Krapina on 13 April 2009, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader reiterated that Croatia "can and must" enter the European Union even if its border d... read more

4/14/2009
Memorandum on partnership in the field of migration between BH and Switzerland signed
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina – BiH CoM Deputy Chair/Minister of Security Tarik Sadovic and Swiss Chancellor/Minister of Justice and Police Evelin Widmer-Schlmupf signed the Memorandum on Understa... read more

4/9/2009
Croatia lifts visa requirements for Russians and Ukrainians during tourist season
ZAGREB, Croatia - Citizens of Russia and Ukraine will be able to enter Croatia without visas from 1 May to 31 October 2009, the Croatian government decided on 9 April 2009. The temporary suspension o... read more

4/8/2009
Bildt hopes to see progress of SE European countries on their EU path
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said on 7 April 2009 that Croatia had so far done a good job in meeting the criteria for membership of the European Union and ex... read more

4/7/2009
Frattini proposes a plan to speed up Euro-Atlantic integration of Western Balkans
ROME, Italy - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has presented a plan for the completion of the accession process with Croatia by the end of next year, the Italian Foreign Ministry said in a st... read more

4/3/2009
Working arrangement between BH and Frontex signed
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina -  At the seat of FRONTEX, EU agency based in Warsaw, signing ceremony of the Working Arrangement on setup of operative cooperation between BiH Ministry of Secur... read more

4/3/2009
New session of BH Committee of Ministers
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - BiH CoM at its session on 2 April 2009 adopted draft law against discrimination, which is one of conditions from EU Partnership and Road Map for visa regime liberal... read more

4/2/2009
Four human smuggling rings broken up in Croatia and neighbouring countries
ZAGREB, Croatia - Four groups involved in organising transnational smuggling of migrants have been broken up in a police operation dubbed Tara over the past few days in Croatia and neighbouring count... read more

4/1/2009
Croatian state leadership comments on Rehn's proposal on border dispute
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia's President Stjepan Mesic and Prime Minister Ivo Sanader would not say on 30 March 2009 if Croatia would accept or turn down the latest EU proposal for the settlement of the... read more

3/31/2009
Regional High Level Conference on Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in SEE held in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia - Organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the conference focused on elaborating a common strategic platform for effective regional response to serious crim... read more

3/30/2009
Canada lifts visa requirements for Croatian nationals
OTTAWA, Canada - Canadian Immigration, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney officially announced his government's decision to lift visa requirements for Croatian citizens on 29... read more

3/29/2009
Croatia says EC's proposal for resolving border dispute only official one
HLUBOKA, The Czech Republic - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic said on 28 March 2009 that several ideas about resolving the Slovene-Croatian border dispute were circulating, but that the ... read more

3/29/2009
Rehn: Macedonia, Serbia EU visa-free regime expected by year-end
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn believes that Union foreign ministers will confirm Saturday in Prague the open doors policy for Western Balkan countries, with each ... read more

3/28/2009
EU reaffirms Western Balkans' European prospects
HLUBOKA, The Czech Republic - European Union foreign ministers reaffirmed the European prospects of western Balkan countries at the end of an informal two-day meeting in Hluboka, the Czech Republic, ... read more

3/28/2009
Rehn: Macedonia makes progress in visa liberalisation process
HLUBOKA, The Czech Republic - Macedonia makes good progress in the process of meeting visa liberalisation criteria, said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn following the informal meeting of Union ... read more

3/27/2009
Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers put into function in Macedonia
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Xheljal Bairami officially put into function Friday the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers in Vizbegovo, w... read more

3/26/2009
OSCE's Fuentes praises Croatia for progress and calls for closing OSCE office by year's end
VIENNA, Austria - Croatia has made substantial progress in meeting obligations stemming from the mandate of the Office of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Zagreb, the... read more

3/26/2009
PM Gruevski launches Integrated Border Management System
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The Integrated Border Management System (IBMS), the final technical requirement that Macedonia is obliged to meet in order to obtain full visa liberalisation with the EU, was put ... read more

3/25/2009
EU-Croatia intergovernmental conference postponed
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Czech Presidency of the EU decided to postpone the intergovernmental conference on Croatia's accession talks by a month, until 24 April 2009. The move followed a request from Sl... read more

3/24/2009
Albanian MoI starts the application process for providing biometric passports
TIRANA, Albania -  Ministry of Interior of Albania informed that on 25 March 2009 will start the application process of providing the Albanian citizens with biometric passports.Providing the Alb... read more

3/20/2009
Macedonia and Bulgaria sign agreement on centre for police, customs cooperation
SKOPJE, Macedonia  -  Macedonia and Bulgaria, being neighbouring states, have exceptionally good cooperation, especially in the fight against organised crime, but also in the meeting of Eur... read more

3/19/2009
Albanian MoI received the Chairwoman of EP Delegation to SEE, Doris Pack
TIRANA, Albania - Minister of Interior introduced to the highest representative of the European Parliament about the preparatory process and the realisation of the National Registry of the Civil Stat... read more

3/18/2009
Italian Foreign Minister against blocking of further EU integration
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini condemned the practice of some European Union member states to block the integration of membership candidates on 16 March 2009."There's al... read more

3/17/2009
Croatian Parliament amends the Law on Aliens
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian Parliament amended the Law on Aliens and the government's amendments reduced from 30 to 15 days the deadline for granting work permits.The amendments erased a provision... read more

3/16/2009
Croatian Minister of Interior Karamarko on future Croatian-Serbian relations
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia's Minister of Interior, Tomislav Karamarko, has said that his ministry will sign a cooperation agreement with the Serbian Ministry of the Interior in April 2009, in order to... read more

3/13/2009
EP urges beginning of EU accession talks and visa liberalisation for Macedonia
STRASBOURG, France - Macedonia to obtain a date for beginning of EU accession talks by the year-end and full visa liberalisation, recommends the European Parliament in the 2008 country progress repor... read more

3/12/2009
Talks on terms of EU mediation in a border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia end inconclusively
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Three-hour talks on the European Commission's proposal to mediate in a border dispute between Slovenia and Croatia ended inconclusively on 10 March 2009. The meeting involved Euro... read more

3/11/2009
Croatian Interior Minister: There are no secret indictments against Serbs
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko said that there were no secret indictments against Croatian Serb refugees in his statement on 10 March 2009, stressing that those who h... read more

3/10/2009
EC welcomes Croatia's acceptance of mediation initiative
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission welcomed Croatia's decision on 9 March 2009 to accept its initiative to involve a group of experts led by Finnish diplomat Martti Ahtisaari in resolving a ... read more

3/9/2009
Croatia and Serbia likely to sign police cooperation deal in April this year
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said on 6 March 2009 that Serbia and Croatia were likely to sign an agreement on police cooperation in April."We have good cooperation with Cr... read more

3/7/2009
Ministerial conference on border security cooperation in SEE held in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia - The 6th ministerial conference on border security cooperation in Southeast Europe took place in Belgrade on 5-7 March 2009. The three-day conference focused on border management sy... read more

3/6/2009
Director of EUROPOL visited BH Ministry of Security
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Director of EUROPOL, Mr. Max Peter Ratzel,  visited BH Ministry of Security in Sarajevo on 2 March 2009.  During the visit, series of meetings were held w... read more

3/5/2009
RCC Board members discuss future cooperation with regional initiatives active in SEE
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - The 29 members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board gathered in Sarajevo on 5 March 2009 to discuss cooperation with 18 regional taskforces and initiativ... read more

3/4/2009
Rehn calls on Croatia, Slovenia to give clear responses to EC initiative
USSELS, Belgium - European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn called on Croatia and Slovenia to give clear responses to the European Commission's proposal for the facilitation of a Croatian-Slo... read more

3/3/2009
Croatian Deputy PM speaks of progress in refugee return
ZAGREB, Croatia - Deputy Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor spoke about the Croatian government's progress in refugee return at a round-table discussion in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 3 March 20... read more

3/2/2009
Montenegro does not expect problems in demarcation of border with Croatia
PODGORICA, Montenegro - Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the country's European Union integration, Ms. Gordana Djurovic, said that she does not expect the Prevlaka border issue between ... read more

2/28/2009
New mafia groups study on the Balkans published
WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America - Mafia groups in the Western Balkans are well connected, according to the study carried out by the Washington-based Research Institute for Central-Asian an... read more

2/27/2009
Croatian MFA hopes Canada would soon abolish visa requirements for Croatians
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry told Hina on 25 February 2009 it hoped that Canada would soon abolish visa requirements for Croatian citizens.The Mini... read more

2/26/2009
Slovenia-Croatia border dispute lingers despite meeting
BRUSSELS, Belgium – Slovenia and Croatia continue to be locked in a dispute over their border despite a meeting between their leaders on 24 February 2009."If no progress is made in dealing with the b... read more

2/25/2009
Police inspectors from SEE to attend Skopje course on fight against organised crime
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Police inspectors from Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro will attend a course on dealing with organised crime at the Training Centre... read more

2/24/2009
EU foreign ministers on Croatian-Slovene border dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU foreign ministers say they will help resolve a border dispute that threatens to derail Croatia's efforts to join the 27-nation bloc, the Associated Press reported on 23 Februar... read more

2/23/2009
Macedonia and EU signed agreements on implementing IPA funds
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Vice-Premier for European Affairs Ivica Bocevski and EU Ambassador to Macedonia Erwan Fouere signed three agreements on further implementation of the Instrument for Accession Assi... read more

2/20/2009
Brussels ups pressure over Slovenia-Croatia border dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium – Slovenia and Croatia should work on finding a solution to their year-long border dispute if Zagreb's EU membership negotiations are to stand a chance of making progress during an ... read more

2/19/2009
EU to set up asylum agency
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission proposed the setting up of a regulatory agency on asylum to help EU countries dealing with big influxes of refugees with on-call support teams and transfer... read more

2/19/2009
RCC National Coordinators from South East Europe meet in Sarajevo
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - National Coordinators from RCC members from South East Europe (SEE) held their first meeting in 2009 in Sarajevo on 19 February 2009, to discuss the most recent RCC... read more

2/18/2009
Project monitoring police conduct towards illegal migrants launched in Croatia
 ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian Ministry of the Interior and the Croatian Legal Centre have decided to launch a project to monitor police conduct in the field of illegal migrations and asylum in... read more

2/17/2009
Forum on promotion of partnership in cross-border cooperation held in Vukovar
VUKOVAR, Croatia - Croatia's Development, Forestry and Water Management Minister Petar Cobankovic said that Croatia attached importance to good neighbourly relations with Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovin... read more

2/16/2009
Croatian National Office Against Organised Crime (USKOK) indicts people traffickers
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Office for the Suppression of Corruption and Organised Crime (USKOK) indicted nine persons on 13 February 2009, arrested in an operation codenamed Bohem, for transferring via th... read more

2/14/2009
Croatian government determines annual quota of work permits for foreign nationals
ZAGREB, Croatia - At a closed part of its session on 12 February 2009, the Croatian government adopted a decision determining an annual quota of work permits for foreign nationals in 2009.According t... read more

2/13/2009
Draft amendments to Act on Aliens on Croatian Parliament's agenda
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Croatian parliament began a discussion on draft amendments to the Act on Aliens on 11 February 2009, which is being adjusted to European Union standards.Presenting the amended l... read more

2/12/2009
Slovene data on 'erased' diminished, say human rights associations
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - The Slovene Interior Ministry's data about 25,000 'erased' persons have been diminished in order to cover up the extent of the "administrative ethnic cleansing" after Slovenia g... read more

2/12/2009
PM Gruevski meets RCC Secretary General Hido Biscevic
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The work and activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) - an institutional EU-backed structure aiming at improving regional cooperation through financial support for reg... read more

2/11/2009
President Mesic comments on Croatian-Slovene border dispute
ZAGREB, Croatia - President Stjepan Mesic gave credentials to Croatia's ambassador to Slovenia, Svjetlan Berkovic, on 10 February 2009 saying that Croatia wanted good relations with Slovenia and the ... read more

2/10/2009
Croatia plans to lift visa requirements for Albanian nationals this year
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia will lift visa requirements for Albanian nationals this year, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader announced at a press conference held in Zagreb on 10 February 2009 after ta... read more

2/6/2009
CoE, EP expect acceleration of Macedonia's Euro-integration after elections
STRASBOURG, France - The Council of Europe and the European Parliament expect advancement of Macedonia's European story after the March elections, which they are convinced will be held as appropriate... read more

2/5/2009
Barroso: Slovenia-Croatia border dispute is a bilateral issue
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission wants Croatia and Slovenia to find a negotiated solution to their border dispute so that Croatia could join the European Union, European Commission Preside... read more

2/4/2009
Southeast European regional conference held in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia - Southeast European countries should advance their cooperation on their path to European associations, which is also one of the solutions for overcoming economic and energy difficul... read more

2/3/2009
European Commission reports on Western Balkans for 2008-2009
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The report ‘EU regionally relevant activities in the Western Balkans 2008/09’ published by the European Commission, addresses the main improvements and initiatives supporting the ... read more

2/2/2009
Croatia reduces annual quota of work permits for foreigners
ZAGREB, Croatia - The annual quota of work permits for foreigners for 2009 has been reduced by some 2,300 permits as a result of the economic downturn, reporters were told after a meeting of the Econ... read more

1/30/2009
European Parliament's Swoboda says Croatian-Slovene dispute a legal issue
ZAGREB, Croatia - The Slovene-Croatian border dispute is a legal issue which is regulated by international laws, European Parliament rapporteur on Croatia Hannes Swoboda said after talks with Preside... read more

1/29/2009
EU PHARE project designed to improve sea border control officially inaugurated in Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatian national police chief Vladimir Faber officially launched the Phare 2006 twinning project "Blue Border Control" on 29 January 2009.The aim of the project, worth one million ... read more

1/27/2009
Croatian police to establish S.I.R.E.N.E office
ZAGREB, Croatia - The launch of the PHARE 2006 twinning project for preparing the Croatian police for the establishment of the S.I.R.E.N.E. Office was marked in the Police Directorate in Zagreb on 27... read more

1/25/2009
EU proposes mediation group to solve Croatia-Slovenia dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Commission has suggested forming a special group to help solve the lengthy Croatia–Slovenia border dispute and Finnish former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner c... read more

1/24/2009
Results of EU survey on awareness of key policies in JLS area published
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has published the results of a survey on awareness of key policies in the area of freedom, security and justice. The survey was carried out by the Hungaria... read more

1/23/2009
European Parliament adopts draft-resolution on Macedonia's progress
BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the draft-resolution on the progress of the Republic of Macedonia in 2008 with 64 votes "for" and 7 "against", said on 2... read more

1/23/2009
Italy's support for Macedonia's EU aspirations
ROME, Italy - Italy remains a friend and supporter of Macedonia in terms of its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and hopes for prompt liberalisation of EU's visa regime, swift start of the membership talks ... read more

1/23/2009
Croatian and Montenegrin top police officials meet in Dubrovnik
DUBROVNIK, Croatia - Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko and his Montenegrin counterpart Jusuf Kalamperovic held a meeting in the southern Croatian seaside resort of Dubrovnik on 22 January... read more

1/22/2009
Rehn reiterates EC willing to help settle Croatian-Slovene dispute
ZAGREB, Croatia - Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has reiterated the European Commission's willingness to help resolve the border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia, the Commission said in a sta... read more

1/22/2009
Macedonian students protest against visa regime in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - A 50-member student delegation from Macedonia is staging a protest on 22 January 2009 outside the European Commission building in Brussels, demanding prompt lifting of the visa re... read more

1/21/2009
Croatia's EU timetable threatened by border dispute
BRUSSELS, Belgium  – Croatia's on-going border dispute with Slovenia must be solved within the next few weeks or the country is unlikely to conclude EU talks by the end of the year as planned, t... read more

1/18/2009
Croatia joins US Visa Waiver Programme
WASHINGTON, USA - Croatia has joined a very small club of countries that have joined a programme for the cancellation of visa requirements for people travelling to the United States, U.S. Assistant S... read more

1/16/2009
Canada announced liberalisation of the visa regime with Croatia
ZAGREB, Croatia - Canada is considering to further liberalise the visa regime with Croatia, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, Peter MacKay, told Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader in Zagreb... read more

1/16/2009
Informal Meeting of EU Ministers for JHA ended in Prague
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - On Friday 16 January, the Ministers for Justice of the EU Member States met at the Prague Congress Centre. The Informal Meeting was chaired by Czech Justice Minister Jiří... read more

1/15/2009
EU to launch biometric passports by summer 2009
BRUSSELS, Belgium – On 14 January 2009 MEPs backed new rules on the introduction of biometric passports throughout the EU later this year, while exempting children under 12 years from having fingerpr... read more

1/15/2009
Ministers say Croatia, Montenegro want to settle border issue in civilised way
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatia and Montenegro want to resolve the delicate sea border issue in the spirit of good neighbourliness, in a civilised and European way, as evidenced by the first meeting of the... read more

1/15/2009
First day of the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of JHA took place in Prague
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - The Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs took place in Prague on 15 January 2009. Among others, the representatives of the following states partic... read more

1/15/2009
Macedonian MoI Jankuloska at Prague meeting of EU home affairs, justice ministers
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - Minister of Interior Gordana Jankulovska took part on 15-16 January 2009 at an informal meeting of EU home affairs and justice ministers in Prague.An introduction of free... read more

1/14/2009
EC Delegation says Croatia ready for programming of IPA funds
ZAGREB, Croatia - The head of the European Commission Delegation to Croatia, Vincent Degert, said on 13 January 2009 that one could say with certainty that Croatia was ready to face, with its own res... read more

1/14/2009
Montenegro, Croatia on Prevlaka border section
ZAGREB, Croatia - The first meeting between Montenegro and Croatia's working groups tasked to define the border at the Prevlaka Peninsula sections was held on 14 January 2009 in Zagreb.In a statement... read more

1/12/2009
UN calls on EU to treat asylum seekers fairly
GENEVA, Switzerland- With as many as 67,000 crossing the Mediterranean to seek asylum in Europe in 2008, the United Nations refugee agency has urged the EU to make sure it treats those arriving fairl... read more

1/9/2009
About 1,500 immigrants die at EU borders in 2008
ROME, Italy - At least 1,502 illegal immigrants lost their lives in 2008 in an attempt to reach the borders of the EU countries, "Fortress Europe" said on 8 January 2009. The association, which publi... read more

1/6/2009
Seventy percent of displaced return to eastern Croatia
VUKOVAR, Croatia - By 31 December 2008, 36,630 displaced persons returned to Vukovar-Srijem County in eastern Croatia, or 70.8% of the 51,702 displaced during the war in Croatia in 1991, the Vukovar ... read more

1/1/2009
The Czech Government launched new web page of the EU Presidency
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - The Czech government launched new web page of the EU Presidency that starts on 1 January 2009. The Czech government's main motto for its EU Presidency is "Europe without ... read more

12/29/2008
BH Ministry of Security plans to activate e-mail address for assistance to its citizens on visa applications
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Starting from 1 January 2009, BH Ministry of Security will on its web page - www.msb.gov.ba - activate special e-mail address komentari@msb.gov.ba, where BH ci... read more

12/22/2008
Signature of MoU for establishment of state border centre for risk analysis in BH
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - By signing the MOU for establishment of State Border Centre for Risk Analysis on 22 December 2008, BH has fulfilled one more condition from SAA, Road Map for Visa L... read more

12/19/2008
Serbian, Italian IMs sign cooperation deal
ROME, Italy - The agreement between the Serbian and Italian police forces on jointly tackling all forms of crime is a new step forward, said the Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.  The agree... read more

12/17/2008
Southeast Europe police chiefs meeting in Opatija
OPATIJA, Croatia - The sixth annual meeting of the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA) took place in the northern Adriatic resort of Opatija from 15 to 17 December under the Chairmansh... read more

12/16/2008
Priorities of the Czech Presidency of the EU
PRAGUE, The Czech Republic - On 16 December 2008, Ms Milena Vicenová, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, confirmed that the ‘'three E's'': economy, energy and external relations will be ... read more

12/14/2008
OSCE Office in Croatia presents latest report on housing for returnees
ZAGREB, Croatia - OSCE Croatia has expressed satisfaction with Croatia's having processed a large number of applications concerning the provision of housing for returnees in its 2008 report of the Or... read more

12/13/2008
Croatian, Serbian Interior Ministries sign memorandum of consent
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatian and Serbian interior ministers signed in Zagreb on 12 December 2008 a memorandum of consent aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two ministries and police forces ... read more

12/12/2008
RCC Board met in Sarajevo to discuss current and future activities of the organisation
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The 29 members of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Board met in Sarajevo on 12 December 2008 to discuss RCC work in the last quarter of 2008 and the activitie... read more

12/11/2008
EU Ministers agree on priorities to integrate migrants
VICHY, France - Justice and home affairs ministers of the EU adopted conclusions on the integration of migrants and identified six priorities for future action:   1. the promotion of Europe... read more

12/10/2008
Croatian and Serbian border police conduct joint exercise
TOVARNIK, Croatia - Croatian and Serbian border police conducted a joint demonstration exercise in a border area near the eastern Croatian town of Tovarnik on 9 December 2008, as part of a project ai... read more

12/9/2008
Austria runs anti-organised crime project in South Eastern Europe
VIENNA, Austria - A European Union project aimed at promoting police cooperation in Southeast Europe was launched in Vienna on 9 December 2008.  The project, called ILECUs (International Law Enf... read more

12/5/2008
Croatia closer to lifting of US visa requirements
ZAGREB, Croatia - Croatian Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko and U.S. Ambassador to Croatia Robert A. Bradtke signed a memorandum on forwarding information on lost and stolen passports in Zagreb o... read more

12/5/2008
European Commission adopts the second part of the National Programme for Bosnia and Herzegovina under the IPA-Transition Assistance and Institution Building component in 2008
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - The European Commission adopted the second part of the National Programme for Bosnia and Herzegovina under the IPA-Transition Assistance and Institution Building co... read more

12/3/2008
EU seeks better rights for asylum seekers
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU countries should take better care of people who arrive seeking asylum, the European Commission said on 3 December 2008, unveiling a series of proposals aiming at making the cur... read more

12/2/2008
Croatian Minister says returnees' housing problems being solved successfully
DONJI LAPAC, Croatia - The housing programme for returning holders of tenancy rights is being implemented successfully and more than 2,800 housing units are expected to be built by mid-2009, it was s... read more

11/28/2008
Macedonia-EU mixed parliamentary committee holds meeting
Skopje, MACEDONIA - The fifth meeting of Republic of Macedonia-European Union Mixed Parliamentary Committee was held on 27 and 28 November 2008 in the Macedonian Parliament.Vice Premier for European ... read more

11/27/2008
Milososki to attend meeting of CEI Foreign Ministers in Moldova
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki will attend a meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central European Initiative (CEI) countries, taking place on 27-28 November 2008 in... read more

11/26/2008
France supports Macedonia in visa liberalisation process
ssaris, FRANCE - France supports Macedonia in the visa liberalization process, and will invest efforts in the upcoming period for acceleration of the process, resulting with a decision on the issue i... read more

11/24/2008
Training of Croatian and Montenegrin police begins
HERCEG NOVI, Montenegro - The training of Croatian and Montenegrin police began in Herceg Novi on 24 November 2008, as part of a project for the strengthening of transborder police cooperation along ... read more

11/22/2008
Russia, Montenegro visa-free deal in effect
PODGORICA, Montenegro - A mutual visa-free regime came into effect between Russia and Montenegro on 21 November 2008. "The agreement enables mutual visa-free travel for Russian and Montenegrin reside... read more

11/21/2008
Divided European Parliament approves EU Blue Card system
BRUSSELS,  Belgium - The European Parliament has endorsed the idea of an EU work permit, dubbed the 'blue card' after the US Green Card, allowing employment to non-Europeans in any country withi... read more

11/18/2008
Eurostat report shows small inflow of immigrants into Croatia
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In 2006, Croatia received 14,978 immigrants, most of whom already had Croatian citizenship, according to figures released on 18 November 2008 by Eurostat, the European Union's Sta... read more

11/14/2008
Visa liberalisation for Serbia envisaged in 2010
BELGRADE, Serbia - Reports coming out of the European Commission had suggested that Serbia might be able to accede to the Schengen white list in 2009 if all administrative conditions are met. However... read more

11/13/2008
BH Council of Ministers adopts Immigration and Asylum Strategy & Action Plan For 2008-2011
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - During a regular session of BH Council of Ministers held on 13 November 2008, National Immigration and Asylum Strategy and Action Plan for 2008-2011 was adopted.&nb... read more

11/10/2008
EU Ministerial Forum "Justice and Home Affairs" closed in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - The sixth ministerial forum "Justice and Home Affairs - The EU and the Western Balkans" closed in Zagreb on 7 November 2008, bringing together representatives of Croatia, the EU Fre... read more

11/7/2008
Police arrest illegal immigrants in southern Albania
TIRANA, Albania - Police arrested two traffickers outside the southern town of Saranda on 5 November 2008.They were allegedly transporting eleven illegal immigrants to neighbouring Greece.Police say ... read more

11/7/2008
Albania: Issue of identity cards and biometrical passports to start in January 2009
TIRANA, Albania - The guarantee that there is no room to doubt issue of high security documents for Albanian citizens came from Vice Minister of Interior of Albania, Mr. Ferdinand Poni who told Alsat... read more

11/6/2008
New European Commission Progress Reports on Western Balkans
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In an annual report on applicant countries, Croatia got the most positive evaluation from the European Union. The European Commission says Croatia is on track to wrap up EU access... read more

11/5/2008
EU-Western Balkan Ministerial Forum to be held in Zagreb on 6-7 November 2008
ZAGREB, Croatia - The 6th EU-Western Balkan Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs, scheduled to take place in Zagreb on 6 and 7 November 2008, will focus on border issues, migrations, visa re... read more

11/5/2008
Shelter for asylum seekers to be built near Croatian town of Trilj
TRILJ, Croatia - The Mayor of Trilj, Ivan Sipic, said on 5 November 2008 that work on the construction of a reception centre for asylum seekers should begin later this month. The centre will be built... read more

11/4/2008
Albania To Issue New IDs for Easier Travel
TIRANA, Albania – Albania will start producing identification cards and passports that meet Western standards in 2009, so Albanians can travel freely and fake papers will not tarnish upcoming electio... read more

11/3/2008
Croatian-Bosnian police to patrol state border in Karlovac County
KARLOVAC, Croatia - The 63 km of Croatian-Bosnian border passing through Croatia's Karlovac County will be protected by a mixed patrol in accordance with last year's border control cooperation agreem... read more

10/31/2008
Future EU presidency holder Czech Republic supports Western Balkans' accession
TIRANA, Albania - The EU should accept countries from the Western Balkans, particularly Croatia, before all 27 EU members ratify the Lisbon Treaty, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, said on... read more

10/29/2008
Albania's Basha calls for free movement in the Balkans
TIRANA, Albania - Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha is urging Balkan countries to create their own Schengen zone for the free movement of citizens. Speaking at an ambassadors' conference in Tira... read more

10/28/2008
Macedonia, Russia to scrap visas
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Macedonia and Russia have signed a deal to scrap visas for visitors to each other’s countries in Moscow on 28 October 2008, local media report. The agreement will come into effect... read more

10/27/2008
Italy's Frattini optimistic about visa liberalisation for Albanians
TIRANA, Albania - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said he believes a visa liberalisation regime with Albania is close to completion. His comment followed a meeting with Albanian Prime Minist... read more

10/24/2008
Montenegro will employ nearly 40,000 foreign workers
PODGORICA, Montenegro - Nearly 40,000 foreigners will be able to get a job in Montenegro next year, Montenegrin government said."Most of them, about 34,300 will be employed as season workers, and the... read more

10/23/2008
Serbian Parliament adopts laws required for inclusion in Schengen white list
BELGRADE, Serbia - The Serbian Parliament adopted the Law on Aliens on 23 October 2008. This Law, for the first time, will regulate the issues of entry, movement and residence of aliens in its territ... read more

10/23/2008
Visa requirements for ninety-day stay in BH lifted for 66 countries
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - During the 62nd Session of Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers held on 23 October 2008, the decision was adopted to lift visa requirements for stay in Bosni... read more

10/22/2008
Phase I of Cross-Border Institution Building (CBIB) ended
BELGRADE, Serbia - The Cross-Border Institution Building (CBIB) is an EU-funded IPA regional project launched in June 2006 with the envisaged duration of 27 months (phase I of the project ended on 22... read more

10/21/2008
Two Migrants Dead, One Missing in Albania
TIRANA, Albania - A 22-year-old mother and her 3-month-old toddler were killed on the evening of Sunday, 19 October 2008 as a boat with 24 migrants capsized in the Butrinti lake in southern Albania. ... read more

10/20/2008
Western Balkans to get 4.5 billion euros in EU assistance by 2011
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission (EC) adopted a strategy in late September this year, setting out the priorities for financial assistance worth nearly 4.5 billion euros that the EU has set... read more

10/18/2008
EU Anti-Trafficking Day marked in Zagreb
ZAGREB, Croatia - EU Anti-Trafficking Day was marked in Zagreb's Cvjetni Trg Square on 18 October 2008.  The event was organised by the Croatian Government's Human Rights Office and nongovernmen... read more

10/17/2008
Regional interior ministers agree to boost anti-crime efforts
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia - Interior ministers from Southeast European countries agreed to boost co-operation in the fight against organised crime and corruption at the 8th regional ministerial conferenc... read more

10/17/2008
Croatian diplomats become more engaged in combating trafficking
ZAGREB,Croatia - Seventeen students of the Diplomatic Academy received diplomats on Friday at the end of an 18-month course in the prevention of trafficking in humans, whereby Croatia has become more... read more

10/15/2008
EU to rubber-stamp common immigration and asylum rules
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union - with some eight million undocumented migrants on its soil, but short of high-skilled migrants - is set to give a new boost to its ambition to establish common... read more

10/14/2008
Rehn: EC to assess prospects for visa liberalisation with Serbia in November
BELGRADE, Serbia - The European Commission (EC) will offer its first appraisal of whether to abolish visas for Serbian nationals next month, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on 12 October 2... read more

10/13/2008
Macedonian Government expects EU to note serious reform progress
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Macedonia obtained assurances by the European Commission that 2009 is the year when Macedonian citizens will be able to travel to EU member-states and the Schengen Zone visa-free,... read more

10/13/2008
Bulgaria, Macedonia sign Financial Agreement within IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme
KRIVA PALANKA, Macedonia - Vice Prime Minister in charge of European affairs and national IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance) coordinator Ivica Bocevski and EU Ambassador Erwan Fouere signe... read more

10/13/2008
Business calls for EU deal on visas for skilled immigrants
BRUSSELS, Belgium - As EU leaders prepare to give the green light to a European Pact on Immigration and Asylum later this week, businesses underline that immigration is not only about controlling bor... read more

10/12/2008
Rehn outlines Western Balkans' EU prospects
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said that 2009 will be the "year of the Western Balkans" and a crucial year for the EU enlargement process. Speaking at the Cr... read more

10/9/2008
Delegations of SEE countries gathered at the IPA Meeting in Sarajevo
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - A two-day coordination meeting, hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC),  and gathering participants in the Multi-Beneficiary Programme under the Euro... read more

10/4/2008
Salzburg Forum of regional MoIs held in Hungary
HEVIZ, Hungary - Albanian Interior Minister Bujar Nishani, Interior Minister of Austria Maria Fekter, Hungarian Minister of Justice Tibor Draskovics, Minister of Security Tarik Sadovic of Bosnia and ... read more

10/3/2008
New website reveals EU funding beneficiaries
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission launched a website on 2 October 2008 making details of the beneficiaries of EU funding publicly available for the first time.The 'Financial Transparency Sy... read more

10/3/2008
Albanian Prime Minister Berisha: Fight against child trafficking is a top priority issue
TIRANA, Albania - The Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha attended the conference organised by the Albanian coalition All together against child trafficking under topic: analysis on the trafficking ... read more

10/1/2008
Macedonian changes in Law on Foreigners enter into force
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The Ministry of Interior began with the application of changes in the Law on Foreigners and the Government's decision on facilitation of entry in Macedonia by nationals of EU memb... read more

10/1/2008
Macedonian Minister of Interior delivers a lecture at the Faculty of Security
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The Minister of Interior of Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Gordana Jankuloska, gave a lecture “The fight against the organised crime and corruption as a precondition for EU membership... read more

9/30/2008
EU agrees on 4.5 billion-euro aid package for candidate countries
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission adopted a plan on 29 September 2008 involving financial aid to candidates and potential candidates for EU membership. The European Commission will grant 4.... read more

9/30/2008
Visa agreement between Montenegro and Benelux countries
PODGORICA, Montenegro - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium has notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro that all internal legal measures were fulfilled in Benelux... read more

9/29/2008
Third HUMSEC Conference to be held in Belgrade, 2-4 October 2008
BELGRADE, Serbia - The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy - ETC Graz are the organisers of the Third HUMSEC Annual Conferenc... read more

9/26/2008
EU ministers agree on new immigration guidelines
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU interior ministers agreed on a set of new common immigration principles on 25 September 2008, aimed at curbing illegal migration while easing the conditions for highly skilled ... read more

9/25/2008
EU ministers flesh out foreign worker 'Blue Card' plan
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU interior ministers have formally backed the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, a French-drafted plan on how the 27-nation bloc should cope with migratory flows. "We have ... read more

9/24/2008
Croatia, Montenegro signed treaty on handover and admission of illegal migrants
CAVTAT, Croatia - Croatia and Montenegro signed an agreement on the handover and admission of illegal migrants in both countries on 24 September 2008. The document was signed in the southernmost Croa... read more

9/24/2008
Europe's population would decline without migrants
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The population of the European Union is avoiding decline mainly thanks to immigration from other parts of the world, as native Europeans have stopped making as many babies.While a... read more

9/23/2008
EC adopts multi-annual planning of financial assistance to BH for 2008-2010
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - The European Commission adopted  the strategic directions of EU financial assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Multi-annual Indicative Planning Document – MIP... read more

9/19/2008
Montenegro signs cooperation agreement with Europol
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - A strategic cooperation agreement between Montenegro and Europol was signed on 19 September 2008. It aims to enhance cooperation to fight serious forms of international c... read more

9/18/2008
Platform for Serbian negotiations on dual citizenship with Montenegro adopted
BELGRADE, Serbia - Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted Platform for negotiations with Montenegro on dual citizenship on 18 September 2008 . Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister o... read more

9/18/2008
Balkans model to underpin EU's 'Eastern Partnership'
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU policies applied to the Western Balkans - such as a regional free trade area - are inspiring the "Eastern Partnership" with Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan and "... read more

9/18/2008
The Republic of Serbia signs strategic cooperation agreement with EUROPOL
THE HAGUE, The Netherlands - A strategic cooperation agreement between the Republic of Serbia and Europol was signed on 18 September 2008. It aims to enhance cooperation to fight serious forms of int... read more

9/18/2008
Montenegro has prepared a draft agreement regarding dual citizenship with other countries
PODGORICA, Montenegro - Taking into consideration state interests and applicable legislation, at Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic on 18 September 2008, the Government of Mont... read more

9/12/2008
Albania signs the Readmission Agreement and Visa Facilitation Agreement with Norway
TIRANA, Albania - Minister of Interior of Albania, H.E. Mr. Bujar Nishani and Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy H.E. Mr. Carl S. Wibye signed the "Agreement on the Readmission of Persons with... read more

9/10/2008
Serbian Assembly ratified the SAA
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbian Assembly MPs passed the Law on Confirming the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the Law on Confirming the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU. The EU and Serbia s... read more

9/9/2008
The first meeting of the Board of interested parties of PAMECA III held in Albania
TIRANA, Albania - Minister of Interior of Albania Mr. Bujar Nishani led the first meeting of the interested parties of the Mission of Police Assistance of European Community in Albania (PAMECA III).P... read more

9/5/2008
Meeting of regional heads of police forces held in Trebinje
TREBINJE, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Directors of police forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Republic of Croatia met in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina on 3 September 2008.  Th... read more

9/4/2008
Macedonian free visa regime with EU expected in 2009
The Government will put all its energy and resources in order to meet 2009 as a free EU visa country in the field of reformation, stated the Vice-President of Macedonian Government, Ivica Bocevski, o... read more

9/3/2008
Croatia receives reassurance over EU bid
BRUSSELS, Belgium – EU enlargement, particularly to the Western Balkan countries, is set to feature high on the agenda of the bloc's two presidencies in 2009, with Croatia seen as likely to conclude ... read more

9/3/2008
Macedonia-Albania free visa agreement practically enters into force
TIRANA, Albania - Macedonia-Albania agreement on free visa regime has practically entered into force on 3 September 2008, MIA's correspondent reported from Tirana.Citizens of both countries are welco... read more

9/2/2008
Red Cross says 17,000 people remain missing after conflicts in former Yugoslavia
GENEVA, Switzerland - Seventeen years after the beginning of the disintegration of former Yugoslavia, an estimated 17,000 people remain missing, the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cr... read more

9/1/2008
FRONTEX representatives visited BH Ministry of Security
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sector for International Cooperation of BH Ministry of Security organised the first official visit of FRONTEX, the EU Agency tasked to coordinate the operational co... read more

8/7/2008
Serbia issued new biometric passports
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbian authorities started issuing new biometric passports to citizens on 7 August 2008. Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Delic said the first batch will be issued to those who appli... read more

7/24/2008
Albania welcomes visa abolition by Macedonia
TIRANA, Albania - President Bamir Topi welcomed Macedonia's ratification of a decision abolishing visas for Albanian citizens on 24 July 2008. Under the measure, approved by parliament, citizens of b... read more

7/21/2008
Albanian police smash human trafficking ring
TIRANA, Albania - Police arrested five people suspected of establishing a network for illegal immigration to Greece and other EU countries on 21 July 2008. Authorities say the group charged 3,000 eur... read more

7/15/2008
Albania to introduce biometric passports, ID cards by February 2009
TIRANA, Albania - Interior Minister Bujar Nishani announced on 14 July 2008 that Albanians will receive new electronic ID cards and biometric passports by February 2009. "We are ready to start issuin... read more

7/10/2008
BH Council of Ministers' conclusions on state borders
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - During the Session of  BH Council of Ministers held on July 10 2008 two important conclusions were adopted relevant for more efficient management of the State ... read more

7/8/2008
BH Foreign Minister wants free EU visas for citizens
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Sven Alkalaj, wrote to the top diplomats of all 27 EU Member States on 7 July 2008 asking each of them separately to... read more

7/7/2008
Presentation of European Pact on Immigration and Asylum
BRUSSELS, Belgium - France is expected to achieve the first success of its EU Presidency by officially presenting a 'European Pact on Immigration and Asylum' at informal talks between justice and hom... read more

7/7/2008
EU won over to France's hard line on immigration and asylum
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU interior ministers have thrown their weight behind French-drafted proposals that aim to give the 27-nation bloc new tools to crack down on clandestine migrants, rejecting conce... read more

7/3/2008
Macedonia, Kosovo border to be marked by summer's end
SKOPJE, Macedonia - The disputed 150km-long border between Macedonia and Kosovo has posed a problem since Macedonia's independence in 1991. Seen as a precursor to recognising Kosovo's independence, t... read more

6/27/2008
Skopje hosted Western Balkans cross-border co-operation forum
SKOPJE, Macedonia - A forum on cross-border co-operation in the Western Balkans took place on 26 and 27 June 2008 in Skopje. The two-day event was aimed at helping countries in the region exchange ex... read more

6/26/2008
Serbian, Montenegrin police smash human-trafficking group
BELGRADE, Serbia - The Serbian Interior Ministry announced on 25 June 2008 that a joint operation by Serbian and Montenegrin police has smashed a human-trafficking network. The nearly two-week-long o... read more

6/23/2008
US officers to train Macedonian border police
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Six officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement will arrive in Struga to train the Macedonian Border Police Officers.The U... read more

6/17/2008
Bosnia and Herzegovina signed SAA with EU
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - After a long wait, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 16 June 2008. BH Prime Minister Nikola Spiric... read more

6/11/2008
EU-US summit issues message about Euro-Atlantic prospects of Western Balkans
BRDO, Slovenia - EU and US leaders discussed the situation in the Western Balkans during a summit held on 10 June 2008 in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia. In a final declaration, the EU and United States e... read more

6/11/2008
World Bank report on regional integration
For the Western Balkan countries, deeper regional integration is a stepping stone to the eventual goal of EU membership, the World Bank said in a report. Western Balkan countries can make quicker pro... read more

6/5/2008
BH Roadmap on visa liberalisation presented
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Representatives of European Commission gave to BH Minister of Foreign Affairs the Roadmap on visa liberalization.The Roadmap identifies four sets of issues to be co... read more

6/5/2008
BH State Plans on Trafficking adopted
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - The BH Council of Ministers adopted at the last two sessions held on 29 May 2008 and 5 June 2008, the new State Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings... read more

6/5/2008
Albania and Montenegro on US human trafficking watch list
Croatia and Macedonia are the only Balkan countries whose governments fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, according to a new US State Department report.I... read more

6/5/2008
Sarkozy's EU immigration agenda ‘plain sailing’
The European Immigration Pact, to be launched by President Nicolas Sarkozy, has a good chance of becoming a major success for the French EU Presidency, diplomats say.Background:France wants to make p... read more

5/27/2008
Montenegro to wait until autumn to submit EU candidate application
PODGORICA, Montenegro - Deputy Prime Minister Gordana Djurovic said on 27 May 2008 that Montenegro will postpone applying for EU candidate status until the autumn, saying the country needs time to st... read more

5/23/2008
EU to toughen rules against illegal migrants
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU agreed on common rules to tackle illegal immigration on 22 May 2008, making it possible to detain irregular migrants for up to 18 months. The rules will not cover asylum-seeker... read more

5/22/2008
SEECP leaders vow to develop regional co-operation
POMORIE, Bulgaria - Leaders of the countries in the South East Europe Co-operation Process (SEECP) signed a joint declaration at the end of a summit in Bulgaria's Black Sea town of Pomorie on 21 May ... read more

5/16/2008
Bulgaria eases visa regime for certain groups of Macedonians, Serbs, Montenegrins
SOFIA, Bulgaria - The government approved a proposal on 15 May 2008 to ease visa restrictions for certain groups of citizens from Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The move stems from an agreement be... read more

4/25/2008
Europe plays it tough on illegal migration
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The main EU institutions have reached agreement on common European procedures for the return of illegal immigrants to their countries of origin. In essence EU countries will soon ... read more

4/17/2008
Vote for police reform brings Bosnia closer to EU
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - With a vote in the Bosnian parliament to reform the country's police forces, the Balkan state cleared the final hurdle towards signing a pre-membership deal with th... read more

1/17/2008
Macedonian visas for more than 140 countries
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Due to EU obligations, Macedonia is planning to eliminate the right of its border offices to issue visas. Citizens from more than 140 countries will soon have to follow the same p... read more

11/9/2007
Serbia initials SAA with European Union
BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn initialled the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union in Bruss... read more

10/18/2007
Montenegro signs key accord with EU
PODGORICA, Montenegro - The EU and Montenegro have signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), boosting the Montenegros hopes of becoming a full EU member. The signing of the SAA and the ... read more

10/15/2007
Over one million people return to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina - New figures published on 7 October 2007 suggest an estimated 1.02 million displaced people and refugees have returned to BiH since the Dayton Peace Accord was signe... read more

9/28/2007
Zagreb Police Break International Human Smuggling Ring
ZAGREB, Croatia - Zagreb police have broken an international human smuggling ring claiming it smuggled more than 150 people between February and September this year, mainly Albanians and Turks. The o... read more

9/21/2007
Five WB countries signed EU visa and readmission agreements
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The EU signed visa and re-admission agreements with five countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) on 18 September 2007, easing visa rules and ... read more

6/4/2007
Regional Police Operation on Large Human Trafficking Ring
BELGRADE, Serbia - Police forces from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia Serbia and Slovenia and have carried out a joint operation to bust a crime ring that was smuggling illegal immigrants ... read more

5/28/2007
A Croatian diplomat to lead new Regional Co-operation Council
ZAGREB, Croatia - A Croatian State Secretary for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Hido Biscevic was elected as the first Secretary-General of the Regiona... read more

4/16/2007
Macedonia - EU negotiations on visa and readmission issues
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Negotiations on visa facilitation and readmission agreements between the EU and the Republic of Macedonia were concluded in Brussels on 12 April 2007. The conclusion of the negoti... read more

3/14/2007
Serbian court jails twelve human traffickers
BELGRADE, Serbia - A Belgrade court sentenced a group of twelve Chinese and Serbian nationals to 45 years in jail for smuggling people from China to Western Europe on 12 March 2007.(Source: Tanjug - ... read more

2/23/2007
Ministerial Conference on Border Security in SEE held in Croatia
DUBROVNIK, Croatia - The Fourth Annual Conference on Safety of Borders of SEE countries brought together the Interior Ministers of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and ... read more

2/14/2007
Meeting of the EU-Western Balkans Forum in Brussels
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Following General Affairs Council meeting on 12 February 2007, the Foreign Ministers of the 27 Member States, the High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Poli... read more

1/26/2007
Macedonia adopted draft-laws on passports and ID cards
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Taking into account Macedonia's strategic determination for full-fledged EU membership, and in compliance with the necessity for implementation of recommendations for technical ha... read more

12/7/2006
Macedonia hopes for more liberalised visa regime
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Negotiations started on 30 November 2006 on easing the visa regime for citizens of Macedonia. Skopje will be seeking to convince Brussels that Macedonians will not misuse their vi... read more

12/7/2006
IPA the new instrument for pre-accession assistance from 2007 onwards
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Over time, the EU has developed a broad spectrum of external aid programmes, which resulted in a complex set of more than 30 different legal instruments. The need to facilitate co... read more

11/14/2006
EU process of easing visa regime for Western Balkans
BRUSSELS, Belgium - EU foreign ministers approved launching negotiations on relaxing the visa regime for Western Balkan countries as of 13 November 2006.  On 13 November 2006, the European Counc... read more

11/10/2006
EU-WB Ministerial JHA Forum held in Tirana
TIRANA, Albania - The annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) was held in Tirana on 17 November 2006. The current EU Presidency, Finland,  organised the mee... read more

11/10/2006
Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports 2006
BRUSSELS, Belgium - On 8 November 2006 the European Commission approved the Strategy Paper for the candidate countries' (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) and potential cand... read more

10/27/2006
Ministerial Conference on Illegal Migration in Brdo near Kranj
BRDO, Slovenia - The 6th Regional Ministerial Conference on Illegal Migration, Organised Crime, Corruption and Terrorism was held at Brdo near Kranj on 27 October 2006 with the welcome address by the... read more

10/12/2006
European Commission to co-finance migration management
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission announced that the Aeneas Programme will support dialogue and co-operation on migration and asylum issues with the countries bordering on the enlarged EU a... read more

9/1/2006
UNICEF warns child trafficking is on the rise in Southeast Europe
LONDON, United Kingdom - Not enough is being done to prevent the trafficking of children in Southeast Europe, according to a report by UNICEF and Terre des Hommes released on 30 August 2006.&nbs... read more

7/11/2006
Macedonia a transit route for illegal migrants to EU countries
SKOPJE, Macedonia - Although Macedonia does not generate large numbers of people wishing to enter the EU illegally, the country's position in the Balkans -- next to EU member Greece -- has made it an... read more

4/12/2006
Visa relief, free trade on EC's agenda for Western Balkans
BRUSSELS, Belgium - In late March, Macedonia became the first country in the Western Balkans to hold talks with the European Commission on easing the requirements for visas. Two days of negotiat... read more

3/30/2006
BH Minister Kebo expects completion of return process by 2010
SREBRENICA, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Human Rights and Refugees Minister Mirsad Kebo said on 28 March 2006 that he expects the completion of the returns process in BH by 2010. During a visit to Srebr... read more

2/28/2006
Sarajevo hosts meeting of regional interior and security ministers
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- Interior and security ministers of BiH, Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro gathered in Sarajevo on 23 February 2006 to discuss issues related... read more

2/20/2006
EC's Barroso wraps up trip to SEE, reiterating importance of reforms and regional co-operation
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso wrapped up a four-day trip to Southeast Europe on 18 February 2006, reiterating the importance of reforms and regional co-operat... read more

2/20/2006
Albania seals Stabilisation and Association Agreement with EU
TIRANA, Albania -- Following three years of negotiations, Albania sealed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 18 February 2006, the first step towards full EU membership. Th... read more

2/10/2006
SEE ministers agree to boost co-operation against organised crime and trafficking
ATHENS, Greece -- The justice and interior ministers of ten countries in Southeast Europe agreed on Wednesday (8 February 2006) to strengthen co-operation in fighting organised crime, human trafficki... read more