About: ethnic tensions
Kazakhstan president calls for constitutional referendum, warns against ‘provocateurs’
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced a national referendum on his proposed amendments to the county’s constitution and warned against what he described as “provocateurs who are trying to undermine the unity in the country”.
EU to nearly double its police force in Kosovo
The European Union police and justice mission in Kosovo said it will deploy another 92 special police officers to support NATO troops and local police.
Ethiopia declares state of emergency as Tigrayan forces gain ground
Ethiopia declared a six-month state of emergency on Tuesday (2 November) after forces from the northern region of Tigray said they were gaining territory and considering marching on the capital Addis Ababa.
Belgrade condemns ‘hate’ after Orthodox graves in Kosovo vandalised
Graves at a Serbian Orthodox cemetery in Kosovo have been vandalised, police said on Sunday (14 July), in an incident that comes at a time of rising tension between Belgrade and Pristina.
Kosovo says to maintain its tariffs on Serbia despite EU pressure
Kosovo will keep its 100% tariffs on Serbian goods until Belgrade recognizes Pristina, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on Monday (4 December), defying calls by the European Union and United States for the tariffs to be abolished.
Serbia warns Kosovo against ‘undermining’ regional stability
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Sunday (11 November) accused Kosovo of "undermining regional cooperation and stability" by raising taxes on Serbian goods.
As Bosnians prepare to vote, some lament being ‘second-class citizens’
In a country where political power is formally shared by three ethnic groups, Bosnians who identify as "ostali" -- or "others" -- are second-class citizens.
Tensions as Kosovo police arrest senior Serbian official
Kosovo police arrested a senior Serbian official in the flashpoint town of Mitrovica on Monday (26 March), raising fresh tensions between the former foes who are trying to relaunch a dialogue.
Ethiopia’s prime minister resigns to smooth path for political reform
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn suddenly resigned yesterday (15 February) in what he described as a bid to smooth reforms, following years of violent unrest that threatened the ruling party’s hold on Africa’s second most populous nation.
Macedonian police detain ex-minister over April riots
Macedonian authorities detained a former interior minister and a number of lawmakers and political activists on Tuesday (28 November) on charges related to violence in parliament in April which pushed the Balkan country into a political crisis.
Kosovo’s ‘war wing’ coalition wins parliamentary vote
A coalition led by the ruling centre-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) came first in Kosovo's snap parliamentary election yesterday (11 June), but it will have to find a coalition partner to form a stable government, results based on a partial vote count showed.
Kosovo government falls over border demarcation deal with Montenegro
Kosovo's government collapsed yesterday (10 May) after it lost a confidence vote in parliament, a move expected to trigger a snap election after more than a year of political crisis in the tiny Balkan country.
Violence erupts as protesters storm Macedonia parliament
Nationalists stormed Macedonia's parliament on Thursday (27 April) and attacked MPs, including the opposition leader, in protest against a vote for a new parliamentary speaker.
Tusk tells Macedonia, paralysed by political crisis, to focus on EU entry
European Council President Donald Tusk said in Macedonia yesterday (3 April) he hoped the country's leaders would avoid fuelling ethnic tensions and focus on advancing towards EU membership instead.
Rise above political bickering, Hahn urges Macedonia leaders
Macedonia needs to rise above political feuding and form a government as soon as possible to unblock the Balkan country's path to European Union membership, the EU said yesterday (21 March).
Russia: Commission should play a more positive role in the Western Balkans
Speaking to EURACTIV.com, Russia’s Ambassador to the EU, Vladimir Chizhov, criticised the European Commission’s handling of the crises in Macedonia and Kosovo, and regretted the “hysteria” over alleged Russian interference in Montenegro.
Macedonia’s political crisis takes ethnic turn
A political crisis that has paralysed Macedonia for two years is sliding into an ethnic dispute, with nationalists taking to the streets over a series of demands by the country's Albanians.
Macedonian president warns EU, NATO of Albanian meddling
In a letter sent to Council President Donald Tusk ahead of the 9-10 March EU summit, Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov warns against attempts by Western powers to impose on his country a political platform “written in Tirana”.
Russia accuses NATO, EU and Albania of meddling in Macedonia
Russia accused Albania, NATO and the European Union yesterday (2 March) of trying to impose a pro-Albanian government on Macedonia, which is gripped by political crisis.
Macedonian president accused of fomenting ‘coup’
Macedonia's political crisis deepened yesterday (1 March) as opposition leader Zoran Zaev accused President Gjorge Ivanov of fomenting a "coup d’état" by refusing to give him the mandate for forming a government.
Macedonia’s Social Democrats to form government with Albanian party support
The leader of Macedonia's Social Democrats said yesterday (23 February) he expected to be able to form a new government in March, having found an agreement with the biggest Albanian party over a law backing broader use of their language in the country.
Kosovo presidential vote violence ‘extremely worrying’, says EU
Scenes of violence at Kosovo's parliament, in which opposition MPs released tear gas to prevent the election of a new president, were "extremely worrying", the European Union said on 27 February.
Pro-Kurdish leader warns of Turkey being dragged into civil war
While EU Council President Donald Tusk visited Turkey on Wednesday (9 September), the leader of the country's main pro-Kurdish party warned that the country was being dragged into a "civil war" following a wave of attacks on its offices by nationalists.