BELGRADE, Serbia —

A man’s body has been pulled from a swollen river in southwestern Serbia and rescuers are searching for another man, state television said Friday, as floods across the Balkans closed down schools, hampered traffic and soaked homes and farmland.

The floods this week in Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo have been triggered by heavy rainfall and unseasonably warm weather. Temperatures dropped in many areas on Friday as rain turned into snow.

The torrent rains were unusual for winter months. They have caused many small rivers and streams in the region to overflow, flooding the surrounding areas and forcing scores of people from their homes.

Authorities in seven municipalities and towns in southwestern and southern Serbia have declared an emergency situation as they struggled to contain the surging waters. In the town of Raska, authorities closed down children’s day care centers and schools.

“This was stronger than all of us. We couldn’t defend some parts,” senior official Nemanja Popovic said.

The body was recovered in Novi Pazar, where two men were swept away by the swollen waters of the Raska river on Thursday. Authorities said river levels dropped on Friday.

Heavy rainfall also has triggered landslides that cut off roads and a rail line connecting Serbia to neighboring Montenegro. Railway authorities said that passengers would be transferred by buses for one part of their route.

Floods were also reported Friday in parts of Kosovo, where the Ibar River and other, smaller rivers and streams overflowed, endangering homes and cutting off local roads. Around 50 families were forced to evacuate homes in northern and western Kosovo with authorities deploying security forces, including their trucks and boats, to help.

Though the rainfall eased in Albania, vast areas of farmland remained underwater and some remote villages remained cut off for a third day on Friday. Some national roads were temporarily blocked, including the main highway link to neighboring Kosovo.

A number of regions in Albania were left without power, either from damage or because authorities switched off the electricity for security reasons. Some areas in both Kosovo and southern Serbia were also left without drinking water.

Bosnian authorities said that after several days of flood alerts they expect the situation to calm as rains were followed by snowfall on Friday that also blanketed the capital, Sarajevo, along with Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, and other regional cities for the first time this winter.

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Llazar Semini contributed to this report from Tirana, Albania.

The US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans has visited Pristina to meet with Kosovo leaders, a day after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he would ask the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosovo to allow the deployment of 1,000 Serb troops in the Serb-populated north of Kosovo.

Kosovo, which used to be part of Serbia, fought a war against Belgrade in 1998-1999, and eventually declared independence in 2008, a move quickly endorsed by the US, the UK and most major European powers but rejected by the Serbs and their ally Russia.

For a third day on December 12, trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles blocked several main roads leading to two border crossings with Serbia. Both crossings were closed to traffic.

Authorities say it is impossible to cross the Jarinje and Bernjak border crossing points either on foot or by car.

The US embassies in Pristina and Belgrade said in a joint statement that Washington “expresses deep concern about the current situation in the north of Kosovo.”

The leaders of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary signed an agreement in Bucharest on the transport of clean energy via an underwater electric cable in the Black Sea from Azerbaijan to Europe, Ađerpress agency reports.

“Given the current security context marked by the Russian attack on Ukraine, we need to establish better cooperation and show more solidarity to alleviate common problems,” Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said at a meeting attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

On that occasion, von der Leyen emphasized that the EU’s strategy is to abandon Russian fossil fuels and to turn to clean energy sources with reliable energy partners. “The European Union managed to compensate for the reduction of Russian gas.

“We are not only talking about managing the new geopolitical situation. It is about creating a future for us in terms of clean, accessible and safe sources of energy, which are forms of renewable energy,” said the president of the European Commission.

Von der Leyen pointed out that the EU is ready to provide financial support to that project once a feasibility study is done.

The President of the EC said that this project will connect the two coasts of the Black Sea and beyond with the Caspian Sea region, both digitally and energetically, and that the electric cable under the Black Sea offers multiple possibilities.

“This project could bring significant benefits to Georgia. It could turn the country into an electricity hub and integrate it into the EU electricity market. The cable under the Black Sea could transmit electricity to our neighbors in Moldova and the Western Balkans and of course to Ukraine. This will help in the restoration of the Ukrainian energy system and the restoration of the country,” emphasized the President of the European Commission.

The agreement stipulates that a 1,100-kilometer-long, 1,000-megawatt electric cable runs under the Black Sea, from Azerbaijan to Romania, as part of the EU’s efforts to replace the energy it used to receive from Russia.

Stuart Peach reiterated Great Britain’s commitment to peace and stability in the Western Balkans, as well as initiatives for regional cooperation, according to a statement from Curti’s cabinet.

Kurti said that his government is committed to full normalization of relations with Belgrade and mutual recognition.

Emphasizing the importance of visa liberalization for the inhabitants of the Republic of Kosovo, Kurti reiterated the government’s intention and commitment to become part of the European Union and NATO.

There was talk of regional cooperation and common regional market within the Berlin process. They also discussed the “Western Balkans Summit 2022”, which is organized by Economist, in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office, and which is scheduled for tomorrow in Pristina.

Pič came to Pristina a few days after Gabriel Escobar and Miroslav Lajčak.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said at the opening of the fair in Belgrade that today is a big and special day and that there is no person at the fair who is not smiling.

He pointed out that he has visited many European fairs, but that few places in Europe have done it as well as “Open Balkan” did in Belgrade.

“We have a lot to be proud of and with what we have done together we have shown not only that we can be part of the world, but that we can also compete in many ways and be better in different spheres of social life and in all important matters,” he emphasized. Vucic.

Wine elite in one place

More than 350 companies from 39 countries have scheduled 420 business meetings as part of the First International Wine Fair, “Wine Vision of the Open Balkans”, which lasts until September 4.

The fair is held under the auspices of the Governments of Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, and as part of the “Open Balkans” initiative.

The event brings together the wine elite, the most eminent winemakers, winegrowers, cellar masters, oenologists, sommeliers, distributors and wine merchants and will promote the Balkans as an original tourist and geographical destination and the wealth of autochthonous wine varieties.

Matić: We can expect great business

Before the opening of the wine fair, Minister of Trade and Tourism Tatjana Matić told RTS that we can expect great business.

“We received more and more inquiries for participation in the fair. There is great interest not only from the region, but also from renowned producers, from Italy, Argentina, Chile,” said Matić.

“This is the center of the world when we talk about wine. Belgrade is the center of the region and the world when we talk about wine, and in terms of politics and trade we are in an important place,” the minister pointed out.

About 100 customers came to buy wines. “We have concluded contracts and they will be signed in hall three, we have concluded contracts for the Chinese market. We expect a lot of joint performance of Serbia with North Macedonia and Albania on larger markets,” underlined Matić.

According to her, China has already opened its doors, there is great interest in the US market, and this is a great opportunity for our wine producers.

A competition will also be held, and the winner will be decided by an eminent international jury from the world of wine.

“This is an international wine fair, it is important that we have an international competition, there will be 25 judges, prizes will be awarded, renowned magazines are present. All of this gives importance to this event,” she said.

She underlined that gastronomy is also important, food will also be presented. “Tomorrow we have a trilateral meeting with the ministers of tourism and the signing of a joint statement,” announced Matić.

The plan is to define new wine routes and make them available to citizens in the new platform, to make new wine oases accessible, Matićeva concluded.

Belgrade, the capital of wine

The president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Marko Čadež, said earlier, in a guest appearance on RTS’s Dnevnik, that Belgrade is the capital of wine because such a manifestation has not been held in this way in this part of Europe, it is something that makes it special because of the large number of winemakers and customers.

When a buyer comes from the USA and China, he does not get into whether the wine comes from Serbia, Albania or North Macedonia, but sees the region as a wine region, Čadež points out.

The fair will be open today from 4 p.m. to visitors who will have the opportunity to visit various thematically defined exhibition units, to educate themselves and be informed about the history and origin of wine, the production process, types of wine, consumption, but also to taste and buy the best wines from the Balkan region and the world.

A special segment of the event will be dedicated to the most famous gastronomic specialties from this part of Europe, and the idea is to present Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, in addition to wine, with their traditional food at the fair.

Arthur D. Little, the world’s longest operating global strategy and management consulting firm, has launched a new office in Belgrade, with the Serbian capital city serving as its launching pad for the Balkans region.

The launch comes in anticipation of a boom in economic activity over the coming years, as Serbia prepares to become a member of the European Union.

Arthur D. Little already has a footprint in Serbia, working with clients in mainly the telecom, technology, energy and government sectors. “We’re committed to working as closely as possible with our clients, and the new office will provide on-the-ground support to our existing Serbian clients,” said Ignacio García Alves, Arthur D. Little’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Bela Virag, Managing Partner of Arthur D. Little in Austria (who is overseeing the Balkans expansion), added that the firm will leverage the new office to pursue a strong growth agenda in the country.

“Serbia is an increasingly dynamic market with lots of potential, and is actively looking for new ways to grow and expand. We’re now looking forward to expanding our business into other areas and to boost our presence in the western Balkan region [also comprising Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo].”

Key sectors the firm will focus on for expansion are telecom, financial services, technology, transport and energy – all sectors which are set to see major change as they integrate into Europe’s single market.

According to Virag, Arthur D. Little brings a proven track record in these fields to the local market, having worked on some of the most strategic national transformations and private sector agendas in other countries that in the past decade were integrated into the European Union.

Unpacking on another of the firm’s differentiators, Virag said: “We make the difference to our clients’ business by working side-by-side with them as an integrated part of their team and drawing on an international pool of industry experts – this means that we meet our clients’ needs and ambitions with the most appropriate people, thus delivering the best possible solution.”

The company’s 43rd office globally will be overseen by Milena Matić, who has been with the consultancy for five years. “We’re strengthening the Belgrade office with a number of local appointments, drawing on the depth of talent that Serbia possesses.”

Founded over a century ago and considered one of the world’s most prestigious consulting firms, Arthur D. Little is on a strong growth trajectory in recent years. The Belgrade office is the firm’s 20th new hub since 2015, and headcount has more than doubled since 2017, currently hovering at around 1,400 staff worldwide.

Djelosaj says that they do not understand the inferiority of certain political structures in Montenegro.

“It is below the level, but everyone should be offered a chance to change. We are a member of NATO and we should not be afraid of anyone. We should be open to cooperation with everyone, especially with our neighbors,” Djelosaj wrote on his Twitter account.

As he said, the backbone of the Open Balkans will be Montenegro, Albania and Northern Macedonia – three NATO member states, with great support from the United States.

“Kosovo, as the youngest country, will also be part of the Open Balkans. It is, along with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a total of six countries. The Open Balkans is a joint project of our most important international partners, and I am personally educated, not only politically, to I classify it with American values, without exceptions, “said Djelosaj.

According to him, the open Balkans put an end to the mutual recognition of Serbia and the so-called Kosovo and closes, as he said, “the most important open issue between the countries of the Western Balkans.”

“We cannot reach the EU if we do not open up to our neighbors,” Djelosaj concluded.

After the press conference of European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Layen and French President Emanuel Macron, which was supposed to be dedicated to the Western Balkans, was canceled, the high EU official said that the meeting the perspective of the Western Balkans and the future of the region in the European Union “.

He conveyed to journalists in Brussels the position of the European Council that “war in Ukraine put EU enlargement in focus “and explained that it means progress in the accession process through reforms, strengthening integration, but also resolving bilateral and regional disputes such as the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina and the internal political crisis in BiH.

“It also means that accession negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania should begin without delay, which is an absolute priority, as well as resolving bilateral issues between Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia,” the EU official, who wished to remain anonymous, added.

An EU official added that they are on meeting in Brussels EU and Western Balkans leaders discussed an initiative to form a European political community as a political platform on which participants could maintain exchange and coordination across the European continent.

The EU will continue to support the region, including helping it face the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine, for example by linking them to EU food and energy security initiatives, supporting them in strengthening cyber security, tackling hybrid threats and disinformation “, the European Council said.

It is added that the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans will provide up to 30 billion euros in investments to help the region in economic recovery and rapprochement with the EU, as well as in the implementation of projects that improve the region’s connectivity and resilience.

The high EU official concludes that the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans, at the meeting in Brussels, expressed their support for the people of Ukraine and agreed to continue with regular meetings and engagement.

Sport
December 29, 2021 – 12:42

Latest news from sports

The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), which includes 10 national agencies from the region, has selected the 10 best athletes in the Balkans for 2021, writes Zeri.info.

Kosovar judoka Distria Krasniqi has been chosen as the fourth on the list.

Krasniqi at the Olympic Games that took place this year in Tokyo, Japan won the gold medal in the category up to 48 kilograms.

The first place from BTA was taken for the seventh time by the Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic won three Grand Slam titles this year, the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while losing in the US Open final.

Athletes with votes

1. Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)

3. Miltiadis Tentoglou (Greece)

4. Distria Krasniqi (Kosovo)

5. Jovana Prekovië (Serbian)

6. Ivet Goranova (Bulgaria)

7. Biljana Dudova (Bulgaria)

8. Martin and Valent Sinkovië (Croatia)

9. Mete Gazoz (Turkey)

10. Nicoleta-Ancuta Bodnar and Simona Radis (Romanians). /Zeri.info

At the end of the press conference of the two Albanian prime ministers, Edi Rama and Albin Kurti, the latter revealed what they had said during the internal meeting.

He said the ministers of the two governments have spoken more than the two prime ministers within the meeting.

“Our ministers have discussed more than me and Rama. They have talked more about development and cooperation, and I have not mentioned the Balkans or Serbia at all,” said Kurti, reports Zëri.

Further Rama in the form of a joke has made an intervention to avoid any possible misunderstanding.

“Do not say that Albini and I did not talk at all during the meeting”, he said laughing./ZËRI/