Slovenia & Balkan Weekly News Briefing — Week Ending 10 July 2016
SLOVENIA
7/7/16
ECB boss protests over seizure of sensitive data in Slovenian investigation
European Central Bank head Mario Draghi protested with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and the Slovenian State Prosecutor General due to what he said was illegal seizure of the ECB’s information during Wednesday’s investigation of abuse of office in establishing the negative equity at Slovenia’s largest bank, NLB
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/ecb-boss-protests-over-seizure-of-sensitive-data-in-slovenian-investigation
ALSO:
FT: ECB slams Slovenia over central bank raid http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/07/06/ecb-slams-slovenia-over-central-bank-raid/
Bloomberg: ECB Mulls Legal Steps as Slovenia Raids Bank in Bailout Case
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-07/ecb-warns-of-legal-steps-as-slovenia-raids-bank-in-bailout-probe
WSJ ECB President Decries Slovenia’s ‘Unlawful Seizure’ of Bank Materials http://www.wsj.com/articles/ecb-president-decries-slovenias-unlawful-seizure-of-bank-materials-1467844012
Dnevnik: Draghi interfered with Slovenia’s sovereignty https://english.sta.si/2282526/dnevnik-says-draghi-interfered-with-slovenias-sovereignty
7/7/16
Slovenia central bank confirms investigation of Governor Jazbec
Slovenia’s central bank has confirmed that Governor Bostjan Jazbec is under investigation as part of the probe into alleged irregularities at the bank in 2013. The ECB has threatened legal action.
http://www.dw.com/en/slovenia-central-bank-confirms-investigation-of-governor-jazbec/a-19387208
5/7/16
Port of Koper to resume normal operation at 10 PM
The Port of Koper will resume normal operations at 10 PM on Tuesday as port operator Luka Koper reached an agreement with workers to end a five-day blockade that has caused massive backlogs of cargo.
https://english.sta.si/2281347/port-of-koper-to-resume-normal-operation-at-10-pm
5/7/16
Acting boss Blaž Brodnjak appointed full-fledged NLB chairman
Supervisors also appointed, pending consent from the central bank, Hungarian Laszlo Pelle to replace Nima Motazed, who stepped down already in 2014, as the chief operating officer (COO).
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/acting-boss-blaz-brodnjak-appointed-full-fledged-nlb-chairman
4/7/16
Economic overview
After the government poured money into its banks and restructured private and public debt, the Slovenian economy is now supported by a stable financial system. This allows for solid growth, with GDP forecasts of 2.1 percent in 2016 and 2.4 percent in 2017.
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/economic-overview
4/7/16
Bled Strategic Forum to focus on safeguarding future
Slovenia’s top international foreign political event, the Bled Strategic Forum (BSF), will this year focus on safeguarding the future as instability in the world is growing. It will again feature also the Business Forum and Young BSF.
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/bled-strategic-forum-to-focus-on-safeguarding-future
4/7/16
Political overview
Slovenia’s government continues to be vulnerable to domestic politics due to the party’s relative inexperience and the risk of intra-coalition disagreements. However, while the privatisation process advances slowly and presents hurdles at every turn, the government’s activism on the international scene is commendable.
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/political-overview
3/7/16
Following breakthrough with milk, Slovenia to also promote honey to China
A delegation led by Chinese Deputy Agriculture Minister Chen Xiaohua will start a two-day visit to Slovenia on Sunday, during which possibilities will be examined for closer cooperation in agriculture and food.
http://www.sloveniatimes.com/following-breakthrough-with-milk-slovenia-to-also-promote-honey-to-china
BALKANS REGION
7/7/16
Croatia’s Conditions for Serbian EU Talks Revealed
Croatia’s conditions in the text of the EU’s common position on Serbia’s opening of Chapter 23 have been partly revealed — but are mainly ‘symbolic’ according to one veteran analyst.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/croatia-s-eu-conditions-for-serbia-symbolic--07-06-2016
6/7/16
The Western Balkans’ Berlin process: A new impulse for regional cooperation
The six Western Balkan countries — Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia — are united by the common goal of joining the EU. However, they still face divisions, both infrastructural and political, and are confronted, among other things, by a dire economic situation and bilateral disputes and instability.
https://epthinktank.eu/2016/07/06/the-western-balkans-berlin-process-a-new-impulse-for-regional-cooperation/
4/7/16
Brexit Result Overshadows Balkan Summit in Paris
Infrastructure and youth are the states priorities of the Western Balkans Summit in Paris but the high-level meeting, starting on Monday, is likely to be overshadowed by the UK’s vote to leave the EU.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/brexit-to-overshadow-balkan-summit-in-paris-07-01-2016#sthash.suVaFmfe.dpuf
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
7/7/16
IMF delays new deal for Bosnia after authorities fail to sign
The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday it had delayed approval of a three-year, 550 million euro ($608 million) loan agreement for Bosnia after authorities there failed to sign the deal in what appeared to be an internal political spat.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-imf-bosnia-idUSKCN0ZN0PP
Also:
BalkanInsight: Bosnians Trade Blame Over IMF Loan Holdup http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bosnia-toys-with-imf-over-internal-clashes-07-08-2016
6/7/16
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Court Rules Banking Agency Illegally Withheld Data
A court in Bosnia and Herzegovina ruled Monday that the banking agency of the autonomous Republika Srpska had acted illegally by withholding records on a failed local bank from the anti-corruption group Transparency International (TI), the organization said.
https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/5445-bosnia-and-herzegovina-court-rules-banking-agency-illegally-withheld-data
6/7/16
Vucic: There are no problems between Serbia and BiH
Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said in Paris that he believes that disputes related to the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide should not be interpreted as a problem between Serbia and BiH.
http://www.sarajevotimes.com/vucic-no-problems-serbia-bih/
BULGARIA
8/7/16
Bulgaria secures $80 million waste facility deal
Bulgaria has signed a €72 million ($80 million) agreement with a consortium to build a radioactive waste repository for its Kozloduy nuclear power plant that is expected start operations in 2021, the country’s energy ministry said yesterday. The consortium consists of German Nukem Technologies, which is owned by Russia’s AtomStroyExport, and four Bulgarian companies.
http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Bulgaria-secures-80-million-waste-facility-deal-08071601.html
CROATIA
9/7/16
Five Star Hotel Project Plat Enters List of Strategic Projects
The state list of strategic investment projects was expanded by two tourism projects this week, Hotels Plat and Autocamp Punta Nova, which will according to the Tourism Minister Anton Kliman expedite procedures and ease realisation of investments
https://www.total-croatia-news.com/item/12955-five-star-hotel-project-plat-enters-list-of-strategic-projects
HUNGARY
9/7/16
Editorial: A lesson in the risks of referendums
As Hungary prepares its own referendum designed to show displeasure with Brussels, the government might do well to learn from what just happened in the U.K.
http://bbj.hu/opinion/editorial-a-lesson-in-the-risks-of-referendums_118971
5/7/16
Experts Say Corruption has ‘Captured’ Bulgaria
Over 22 per cent of Bulgarians took part in corrupt practices in 2015, a new report published on Monday said. — http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/bulgarian-state-captured-by-corruption-experts-say-07-04-2016#sthash.WfpjDUIv.dpuf
5/7/16
Hungary referendum on EU migrant relocation in October
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called mandatory quotas an ‘abuse of power.’
http://www.politico.eu/article/janos-ader-hungary-referendum-on-eu-migrant-relocation-in-october/
KOSOVO
6/7/16
Setback on Kosovo Visas Blamed on Border Deal Delay
European Parliament rapporteur says she cannot recommend abolition of visa requirements for Kosovars until Kosovo ratifies its controversial border deal with Montenegro.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/european-parliament-slaps-kosovo-over-border-deal-delays-07-06-2016#sthash.5h1QOX8Q.dpuf
MACEDONIA
7/7/16
Obscure holding company plans takeover bid for Macedonia’s largest fuel retailer
London-registered Balkan Petroleum Holding is seeking the Macedonian Securities Commission’s approval for its plans to place a takeover bid for the country’s biggest fuel retailer Makpetrol.
http://www.intellinews.com/obscure-holding-company-plans-takeover-bid-for-macedonia-s-largest-fuel-retailer-101429/
MONTENEGRO
9/7/16
Russia is a ‘peril’ in Western Balkans, Montenegro PM says
Montenegrin PM Djukanovic told EUobserver in an interview at the Nato summit in Warsaw that Russia is a “peril” in terms of its efforts to halt Western Balkan states’ EU and Nato integration. He said it is giving support to NGOs, media, and local leaders in conservative minorities in the region who oppose Western alignment. He said the EU needed a more “proactive, offensive” enlargement policy to counter Russian influence.
https://euobserver.com/tickers/134272
ROMANIA
8/7/16
Media: US will send a whole armored battalion to Romania
[A]ccording to official sources quoted by local Hotnews.ro. Up to 1,000 US troops and military equipment, including Bradley fighting vehicles and Abrams tanks, will be deployed at the Mihail Kogalniceanu military base in eastern Romania. The soldiers stationed in Romania will be rotated every nine months.
1/7/16
Historical building in Bucharest, up for rent for casinos or business clubs
The former headquarters of Romania’s National Library, located across the street from Romania’s National Bank (BNR), in downtown Bucharest, has been put up for rent by its owner, the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
http://www.romania-insider.com/historical-building-bucharest-rent-casinos-business-clubs/?utm_source=Romania+Insider+Daily+distribution+list&utm_campaign=3c5bb0893f-RI_Newsletter_July_4_20167_3_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ece3d6d4cf-3c5bb0893f-405710425&ct=t(RI_Newsletter_July_4_20167_3_2016)
SERBIA
7/7/16
Serbian central bank cuts key policy rate to 4 percent
The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) Executive Board on Thursday decided to cut the key policy rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4 percent.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/business.php?yyyy=2016&mm=07&dd=07&nav_id=98558
6/7/16
Serbia seen as “serious partner” abroad, says minister
Serbia is accepted as a very serious partner in the region and Europe and as a country that has accomplished very serious reforms, says Dusan Vujovic.
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/business.php?yyyy=2016&mm=07&dd=06&nav_id=98539
5/7/16
Obstacles Blocking Serbia-Kosovo Highway, Experts Claim
Analysts said the positive effects of a planned highway connecting Serbia with Kosovo and eventually Albania will not be fully felt unless Belgrade and Pristina do more to ensure free movement.
http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/highway-from-serbia-to-albania-to-boost-relations-07-04-2016#sthash.NOQvCSu9.dpuf
3/7/16
Serbia won’t hold referendum on joining the EU, PM tells newspaper
Asked by Bild am Sonntag newspaper about reports Russian President Vladimir Putin is using his influence in Serbia to push for a referendum there on the EU, Vucic said: “I don’t know anything about Putin but I know that some Serbian parties are openly calling for that.”
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-serbia-eu-vucic-idUKKCN0ZJ0JT
AND FINALLY
Croatia urges tourists to quit on stupid slefies
The mountain rescue service of Croatia has urged tourists to stop putting themselves in danger taking “stupid and dangerous selfies”, after a Canadian man was almost killed falling down a 75-metre cliff.
http://www.thenewstribe.com/2016/07/09/croatia-urges-tourists-to-quit-on-stupid-slefies/
