Balkans

BUCHAREST,  – Romania may need external funding in the second half of this year, when a large part of short-term foreign debt falls due, central bank chief economist Valentin Lazea said on Thursday. Many economists have said the European Union state may be next in line to seek financial aid …

BUCHAREST -Romania’s Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu vowed Thursday to continue judicial reforms after the European Union warned Romania to step up the fight against corruption following a recent drop-off in efforts. “Our priority is still to promote and back the adoption by parliament of the ( civil and penal) codes,” …

BRUSSELS -The European Commission warned Romania Thursday to step up the fight against corruption and boost justice reforms after the government’s efforts to meet European Union standards tapered off recently. “It is important that the Romanian authorities regain momentum on judicial reform and the fight against corruption so as to …

The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin is in Pretoria Friday to meet his South African counterpart, the Darik radio reports. The main topics on Kalfin’s agenda are collaboration in the justice sector and extradition of criminals, intensifying business relations and securing support for the nomination of …

The Political Council of Bulgaria’s ruling three way coalition will discuss recent political issues at its session on Friday afternoon. The Leaders of the three ruling parties, BSP, NDSV and DPS will discuss the last Eu report on Bulgaria, anti-crisis measures and the preparations for the upcoming elections for both …

SOFIA –  Bulgaria has shown self-confidence to nominate a candidate for NATO Secretary General and it deserves this self-confidence, Solomon Passy, chairman of the parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs and MP from the National Movement for Stability and Progress /NMSP/, said in an interview with Bulgarian National Television.

SOFIA –  The Political Council of the governing three-party coalition is to hold a meeting on Friday, the press center of the Council of Ministers announced. The leaders of Bulgarian Socialist Party, National Movement for Stability and Progress and Movement for Rights and Freedoms Sergey Stanishev, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and Ahmed …

SOFIA: Bulgaria named former foreign minister Solomon Passy as its official candidate for the post of the head of NATO, the government announced yesterday. “The government took a decision to officially support the candidature of Solomon Passy for NATO Secretary General,” Sofia said in a statement. NATO’s current head, Dutchman …

BRUSSELS: Romania has taken some “backward steps” in fighting corruption despite European Union criticism, while fellow EU newcomer Bulgaria has made a number of positive moves, the bloc’s executive arm said yesterday. In interim reports on each, the European Commission told both countries, the poorest members of the bloc, that …

Skopje, February 12 (MIA) – Chairman of the State Election Commission (SEC) Aleksandar Novakoski had separate meetings Thursday with the Head of OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, Peter Eicher, and Swedish Ambassador to Macedonia Lars Peter Freden. The meetings focused on SEC’s preparations for the forthcoming presidential, local elections in the …