Linked2Balkan news, the 7th of January 2011 edition

Macedonian Consumer Price Index, by COICOP classifcation, December 2010

According to the State Statistical Office data, the Consumer Price Index, measured by prices of goods and services for personal consumption, in December 2010, in comparison with November 2010, was 100.7, while in comparison with December 2009 it was 103.0.

Albanian Consumer Price Index December 2010

Consumer Price Index (CPI), in December 2010, resulted 109.5 percent against December 2007 (December 07=100), signing an increase of 2.2 percent against the previous month. The annual rate in December 2010 is 3.4 percent. A year before the annual rate was 3.7 percent.

2011 easyJet gives EX-YU the cold shoulder

Despite earlier announcements that easyJet was interested in commencing flights to Belgrade this year, the airline has recently said it will do no such thing. Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro will also miss out on easyJet flights.

New luxury hotel opens in Bucharest

Earlier this month, saw the soft opening of EPOQUE, a five star all suite boutique hotel in Bucharest, Romania. The hotel boasts the largest accommodation units in Bucharest, with suites averaging 35 to 110 sqm with state of the art technology (LCD screens, wifi etc).

Schengen confusion under Hungarian stewardship

The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the border-free Schengen space has been postponed, a Hungarian minister announced yesterday (6 January). After a nervous reaction from Bucharest, the statement was soon denied by the Hungarian authorities, who hold the EU’s rotating presidency.

“Comité des Sages” calls for a “New Renaissance” by bringing Europe’s cultural heritage online

The report of the Comité des Sages (high-level reflection group) on Digitisation of Europe’s cultural heritage was delivered today to Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Agenda, and Androulla Vassiliou, Commissioner responsible for Education and Culture. The report urges EU Member States to step up their efforts to put online the collections held in all their libraries, archives and museums.

Greece’s Piraeus Bank shares trade ex-rights

Shares in Greece’s fourth-largest lender Piraeus Bank (BOPr.AT) trade ex-rights on Monday, starting at 1.59 euros, adjusted for a 12-for-5 rights offering to raise 807 million euros ($1.04 billion). The bank, which got the green light for the cash call by the securities regulator on Jan.

IMF Completes Sixth Review Under Stand-By Arrangement with Romania

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today completed the sixth review of Romania’s economic performance under a program supported by a 24-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The completion of the review enables the immediate disbursement of SDR 769 million.