Rating Agency Downgrades Albania on Pre-Election Spending Fear

JCR Eurasia Rating, a Turkish based rating agency changed its evaluation on Albania’s public debt from “stable” to “negative outlook” as result of deteriorating macro-economic situation in the country, a clear sign of the challenges that the country is facing.

Croatia Protests British Tourist Warning

Croatia’s Foreign Ministry has sent a note to the UK embassy in Zagreb demanding an explanation of the Foreign Office’s warning to British citizens about the threat of organised crime in Croatia.

Serbian Govt Aims to Help Crisis-Hit Media

erbia’s Culture Ministry is to form two working groups which will propose urgent measures in order to help Serbian media which is in crisis because of dwindling revenues hit by an economic downturn.

Central Bank Urges Albanians to Up Savings

Albania Central Bank Governor Ardian Fullani has pleaded citizens to put their money in banks instead of keeping them under mattress in a bid to see off some of the worst effects of the economic downturn.

“I would like to appeal to the common citizens, because the way in which you react in these times will determine the outcome,” said Fullani in parliament.

Albania Opposition Boycott Over ID Row

Albania’s leftist opposition boycotted parliament on Thursday accusing the government of stalling the distribution of new identification cards, a key requirement ahead of the June 28 general elections.

Albania, Croatia to Build Nuclear Plant

Albania and Croatia plan to jointly build a nuclear power plant at Lake Shkoder, close to the border with Montenegro, Croatian officials say.

Montenegro Eyed by Serbian Power Monopoly

Serbian power monopoly EPS is looking to expand regionally by acquiring shares in neighbouring Montenegro’s state-owned utility, its general manager said on Tuesday.

Unprepared Bosnia Starts Negotiations with IMF

Bosnia’s top western envoy has urged Bosnia’s Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim)-Croat dominated Federation to curb public spending in a bid to get urgent financial support from the International Monetary Fund, IMF.

Albania To Hike Electrcity Price in 2010

Albania is expected to raise electricity prices between 8 and 15 percent in 2010 as part of an agreement over the sale of its state-owned power firm OSSH to the Czech company, CEZ.

Serbian Govt Plans Salary Cuts Amid Crisis

The Serbian Government is to back salary cuts for forty percent of all public administration personnel on Thursday, says Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic.