EUROPE: Cold War Leaves Some Chilling Ghosts

'The Cold War as ancient history', ran a headline in the International Herald Tribune Feb. 4, above an article on how teenagers in the former East Berlin know little about communism.

SERBIA: A Narrow Vote for Europe

Serbian voters have decided, in the tightest run-off so far, that their president for the next five years remains incumbent Boris Tadic, seen as the leader who can take the biggest nation in the Balkans closer to the EU.

TURKEY: Headscarves Decide National Identity

Turkey's Islamic-rooted governing party is moving ahead with hotly contested constitutional amendments that would lift the ban on headscarves at universities. Opponents see it as a danger-laden step undermining the currently rigid secular regime by introducing Islamic principles that may extend far beyond higher learning.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Communists Could Turn Kingmakers

Czech President Vaclav Klaus, known for his sceptical remarks on EU integration and human-induced climate change, will seek re-election in a presidential vote that may be decided by the communists.

ICELAND: Fishing Dispute Casts a Wide Net

Iceland must review its fishing management system within six months and pay compensation to two fishermen who were unfairly discriminated against, the European Committee of Human Rights has said.

TURKEY: Historic Visit – And Largely Inconsequential

Constantinos Karamanlis, the first Greek prime minister to visit Turkey in 49 years, ended an uneventful three-day official trip to Ankara and Istanbul last week that is unlikely to have any impact on the erratic relations between the two East Mediterranean countries.

POLAND: Slowly Coming to Terms with Russia

The upcoming visit of newly elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to Russia signals a new sense of pragmatism in Poland's policies.

RUSSIA: Campaign to Elect New President Begins

The political campaign for election of a new president has begun, with President Vladimir Putin setting social policy as the tone for his party candidate.

UKRAINE: The Poison Is In The Politics

The investigation into the 2004 alleged poisoning of President Viktor Yushchenko when he was a candidate for the presidency remains unsolved, but there is no lack of chilling theories, some of which stain the President himself.

TURKEY: No Agreement, But a Breakthrough

For the first time in half a century, a Greek head of government has paid an official visit to Turkey. The two Mediterranean neighbours, often described as the worst of friends or the best of enemies, attempt to tackle their old problems in a volatile eastern Mediterranean.

ROMANIA: Not Ready To Live Green

A simple architectural solution could ease housing and environmental problems in Romania and beyond.

BALKANS: Serbia Signs Controversial Energy Deal with Russia

Russia and Serbia signed a "strategic" energy deal Friday.

EUROPE: Kosovo Sends Out Ripples of Fear

The possibility of Kosovo gaining independence has sparked a debate in central-eastern Europe on whether the Serbian region could set a precedent in prioritising the right to self-determination over state sovereignty.

EUROPE: Schengen ‘Wall’ Moves Further East

The enlargement of the Schengen free-travel zone has been celebrated as an opportunity to reunite Western and Eastern Europe, but those further east feel it was done at their expense, and some in the West have not welcomed the change.

BALKANS: Kosovo Shadow Lengthens Over EU

Questions relating to Kosovo's future status will almost certainly be the key area of focus for diplomats dealing with the Balkans this year.

SERBIA: Preparing to Vote Really Between EU and Russia

The two leading candidates in the presidential elections Sunday headed into a second round Feb. 3 as expected. Less expected was the high turnout.

TURKEY: Restoration Plan Over Bumpy Road

A day after French President Nicolas Sarkozy expounded on his plan for 2008 and coined the term "policy of civilisation", Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented his road map for the new year, which he baptised the "national restoration plan".

EUROPE: U.S. Base Nears Moment of Truth

U.S. diplomatic and business representatives have stepped up their lobbying activities to secure a deal for the construction of a military base in Central-Eastern Europe ahead of the U.S. presidential vote.

Q&A: &#39US Missile System Could Re-Start Cold War, or Worse&#39

The U.S. project to enlarge its missile defence system to Eastern Europe is a wasteful enterprise that will make the world unstable, says Philip Coyle, senior advisor to the independent Centre for Defence Information in Washington, and expert on worldwide military research, defence and security policy.

EUROPE: ‘Slow’ Over Rights for Roma

European Union officials were this week branded "slow" and "lazy" in addressing discrimination faced by the Roma community, the continent's largest transnational minority.

SERBIA: Another Critical Election Looms

Serbia faces presidential elections Sunday, once again considered crucial for the country.