A 20 year-old woman was injured in a bomb explosion in the Mediterranean city of Mersin on Wednesday (30 August), the latest in a series of bombings that have left three people dead and injured dozens in Marmaris, Antalya, and Istanbul. In Wednesday's incident, the bomb was placed in a garbage bin. One arrest has been made. While no group has claimed responsibility, authorities believe it -- like the others -- was the work of Kurdish extremists.

Meanwhile, members of the European Parliament, headed by Dutch conservative representative Camiel Eurlings, are writing a report and draft resolution on Turkey's progress towards EU membership. The 11-page draft criticises the level of progress achieved in several areas, specifically freedom of expression and religious freedom.

Not enough is being done to prevent the trafficking of children in Southeast Europe, according to a report by UNICEF released on Wednesday (30 August). The report is particularly critical of Romania, Moldova, Albania and Kosovo, warning thousands of children were smuggled from these areas into west European countries to be used in the sex trade, slavery, or for begging. The report expressed particular disappointment with Kosovo, where despite the UN and UNICEF presence, the issue has been neglected.

In other news Wednesday, female unionists from 36 countries gathered in Podgorica for an international forum on the problems of working women. Representatives of the European Commission, the US and the European Confederation of Syndicates also participated. Source: Southeast Europe Times

President Filip Vujanovic announced that Montenegro has decided to end the draft and create instead a fully professional army. This is in line with efforts to meet NATO's Partnership for Peace programme membership requirements. General Jovan Lakcevic, chief of staff of the Montenegrin armed forces, said all conscripted soldiers will be discharged within a week. The country's new army will consist of 340 officers, 900 non-commissioned officers, 900 soldiers, and 260 civilians. Another 800 soldiers will be hired later.
Source: Southeast Europe Times