Romanian President Traian Basescu on Wednesday approved the nomination of Dan Nica for the post of Interior Minister, replacing Liviu Dragnea who unexpectedly resigned early this month. Dan Nica, the third Interior Minister this year, is also vice-prime minister in a center-left coalition government. Liviu Dragnea resigned saying the underfunding …

Pristina authorities have started procedures to set up the Kosovo Security Council, an advisory body working to preserve Kosovo’s national security and safeguard its sovereignty. The Council, foreseen in the Ahtisaari Plan that is meant to guide Kosovo’s path to full statehood after its secession from Serbia last February, will …

United Nations- sponsored talks between Macedonia and Greece on the 18-year dispute over Macedonia’s name resume in New York on Wednesday after a four-month break, against a backdrop of intransigent rhetoric and both sides locked in their long-held positions. Officials from both countries said they do not expect UN mediator …