site.btaBalkan Brief

Turkey, U.S. Launch Joint Strategic Mechanism

Ankara – The Turkey-U.S. Strategic Mechanism agreed upon by the presidents of the two countries at their meeting in Rome last year was launched officially on Monday, April 4, in Ankara, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by Anadolu Agency.

During the talks in Ankara with the participation of Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal and US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland in Ankara, the sides reviewed topics of mutual interest, including economic and defence cooperation, counterterrorism, and key areas of shared regional and global interest.

The U.S. welcomed Turkey's efforts "to facilitate a just, negotiated diplomatic solution" to end the war in Ukraine, said the press release.

The two sides also stressed their shared commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The U.S. Department of Commerce Under Secretary Marisa Lago will visit Ankara on April 5-6 to advance the economic and trade cooperation goals of the Strategic Mechanism, the press release added.

European Parliament S&D Political Group Urges Serbia to Introduce Sanctions against Russia 

Belgrade – The Political group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament has urged Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to finally make a clear pro-European choice and align to the EU sanctions against Russia, the Danas daily reported.

The second largest group in the European Parliament called upon Aleksandar Vucic  to restore democracy and the rule of law and take the enlargement process reform seriously. The press release following his and his ruling Serbian Progressive (SNS) party’s victory in Sunday’s elections in Serbia, the Socialists and Democrats said Belgrade should align to the EU sanctions against Russia as soon as possible. Otherwise, this would have consequences for its EU perspective.

Croatian MEP  Tonino Picula added that the Council should not open any new negotiation chapters with Serbia until the Vucic government makes this choice, reverses its wilful destruction of the rule of law, and sanctions Russia.

Mask-wearing in Montenegro in Schools, Shops as of Thursday Only Recommended

Podgorica - Montenegrin Health Minister Jelena Borovinic Bojovic said on Tuesday that mask-wearing in schools, retail centres and sports halls will only be recommended as of Thursday, Tanjug agency reported.

Speaking on the Good morning, Montenegro show, Borovinic Bojovic said new anti-COVID-19 measures would be introduced in Montenegro as of April 7, underscoring that mask-wearing would remain mandatory for health care establishments, public transport and collective accommodation facilities. 30-minute school classes will continue.

The minister said the current situation with the coronavirus was favourable and stable. A considerable decline in daily morbidity and hospitalizations has been recorded, she pointed out.

Turkish Navy Ups Precautions over Sea Mines

Ankara - The Turkish Naval Forces Command has ramped up precautionary efforts to find and defuse any stray sea mines amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Daily Sabah reported, quoting the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

According to the press release, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, drones and patrol vessels have been deployed to defuse any drifting mines.

Coastal minehunters are an important part of the efforts to find and defuse any possible sea mines, while personnel from the Turkish military’s Underwater Defence (SAS) branch are tasked with the disposal afterward, said the press release, accompanied with the relevant footage.

If a mine is detected, SAS commandos swim underwater to defuse it after securing the perimeter.

Recently, Turkish forces defused a stray naval mine floating in the Bosphorus, in an incident that came days after Russia issued warnings on stray mines floating in the Black Sea amid its war with Ukraine.

Ukrainian Children Suffering from Cancer to Be Treated in Greece

Athens – Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris and Ukrainian Health Minister Victor Liashko discussed Monday the transfer of Ukrainian children suffering from cancer for treatment in Greece, Greek Sky TV reported.

The children suffering from cancer, as well as their families, will be transferred from Ukraine to the Pediatric Oncology Unit-Marianna V. Vardinogianni "ELPIDA" of the "Agia Sofia" Hospital, in order to complete their treatment.

The move was made at the initiative of the president of the "ELPIDA-Association of Friends of Children with Cancer", Marianna V. Vardinogianni, which will ensure the safe transfer of children from Ukraine to Greece, as well as providing hospitality for their families at the ELPIDA Hostel or at apartments near the Oncology Unit for as long as it is needed.

In addition, Liashko asked Plevris to consider the possibility of accepting wounded patients from Ukraine for recovery and rehabilitation in Greek healthcare facilities.