Berisha concedes defeat

Albania's President Sali Berisha conceded defeat in the general election to his main rivals, the Socialists. However he made no indication that he was preparing to resign. International observers said the election was 'adequate and acceptable'.

Nazi gold may be returned to Slovak Jews

Slovak Jews may soon receive compensatory payments relating to the Nazi gold issue, according to Slovak Jewish community leader Joseph Weiss. Weiss said that the issue of payments relating to gold belonging to Slovak Jewish victims of the Holocaust, which has beeen stored in the Prague vaults of the National Bank since the 1950s, will soon be resolved. The Czech Government is expected to make a decision on the matter by the end of July, he said.

EIB extends $85M loan to Czech Railways

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced that it extended an $84.75 million loan to the Czech Republic to finance the modernisation of the Czech section of the Berlin-Prague-Vienna railway route.

Slovakia cancels debt to Czech Rep

Slovak Deputy Premier Sergej Kozlik has asked Slovak National Bank (NBS) Governor Vladimir Masar to cancel receivables worth $745 million, which the Czech Republic has claimed from the division of former Czechoslovak property. Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar had foreshadowed the cancellation on television a week earlier, saying that the debt Slovakia has never recognised will disappear.

Polish ban on heavy truck movement

Poland banned heavy truck movement between 11 am and 11 pm from July 2 until further notice to limit damage to roads during a heat wave that has brought temperatures of over 86 degrees to the country, according to the official media.