Eastern & Central Europe

Latest news about eastern and central Europe and EU enlargement.

Slovenian govt unsurprised by Moody's downgrade — 14 February 2012, 16:57 CET

Slovenia's newly appointed government reacted without surprise Tuesday to a downgrade of its credit rating by Moody's, saying it was preparing measures to prevent further such moves.

Northern Kosovo Serbs set to reject Pristina in vote — 14 February 2012, 17:39 CET

Serbs in northern Kosovo voted Tuesday on the first day of a two-day referendum widely expected to deliver an overwhelming "no" to the authority of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian government.

EU says Serb vote in northern Kosovo not the solution — 14 February 2012, 13:57 CET

The Serb referendum in northern Kosovo is not the solution to resolve differences in the breakway territory, the European Union said Tuesday, pushing for continued dialogue.

Slovakia deficit cut realistic despite downgrade: minister — 14 February 2012, 14:03 CET

Slovakia's Finance Minister Ivan Miklos said Tuesday that cutting the public deficit to less than 3.0 percent of GDP in 2013 was realistic, despite warnings from ratings agency Moody's.

Northern Kosovo Serbs vote in contentious referendum — 14 February 2012, 10:04 CET

Serbs in northern Kosovo Tuesday started voting in a referendum aimed at highlighting their opposition to Pristina and anger at concessions Belgrade has made in EU-brokered talks.

EU condemns attacks against Israelis in India, Georgia — 13 February 2012, 21:43 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton joined virulent international condemnation Monday of twin attacks in New Delhi and Tbilisi blamed by Israel on Iran.

Romania president seeks bipartisan support for EU pact — 13 February 2012, 19:06 CET

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday urged the country's ruling coalition and opposition leaders to conclude a protocol in support of a proposed European Union fiscal pact.

Northern Kosovo Serbs to hold controversial referendum — 13 February 2012, 19:06 CET

Serbs in northern Kosovo said Monday they would go ahead with a referendum this week, despite opposition from Pristina, the international community and even Belgrade.

Romania to cut 600 postal jobs in accord with IMF: report — 13 February 2012, 00:36 CET

Romania's centre-right government has agreed to an IMF call to cut 600 jobs in the state-owned postal service before opening it up to private capital, the Mediafax news agency reported Sunday.

Macedonia seizes 22 kilos of heroin, detains four — 11 February 2012, 23:32 CET

Macedonian police seized some 22 kilogrames (48.4 pounds) of EU-bound heroin, worth up to three million euros (four million dollars), and detained four smugglers, a minister said on Saturday.

Russia's Putin too busy to meet election observers — 11 February 2012, 14:10 CET

A group of European vote monitors said Saturday they were denied a meeting with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin ahead of next month's presidential elections because of his busy schedule.

Poland, Lithuania eye EUR 471m gas link — 10 February 2012, 16:16 CET

Poland and Lithuania's gas supply companies said on Friday they intended to build a 471-million-euro pipeline to hook the Baltic states to the rest of the EU's energy market.

Merkel to meet Danish, Dutch, Estonian leaders on euro — 10 February 2012, 15:16 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold talks with her Danish, Dutch and Estonian counterparts on Monday to discuss the euro crisis ahead of a European Union summit in March, her spokesman said.

Gazprom plans increased supplies to Europe in 2012: report — 10 February 2012, 15:14 CET

Russian gas giant Gazprom said on Friday it intended to increase gas exports to Europe in 2012 compared with last year, even though it has declined to pump extra gas this winter amid a cold snap.

Russia must see 'reality' in Syria: EU's Ashton — 10 February 2012, 10:50 CET

Russia must confront "the reality" of the deadly crackdown in Syria, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Thursday, after Moscow vetoed a UN resolution condemning the violence.

EU voices 'grave concerns' over Hungarian media laws — 09 February 2012, 17:05 CET

The Commission voiced "grave concerns" over Hungary's controversial media laws Thursday, warning the threat of big fines for breaking the rules can lead to self-censorship.

No new aid for Greece beyond current bailout: Slovakia — 09 February 2012, 13:52 CET

Slovakia opposes further aid to embattled eurozone member Greece, beyond a 130-billion-euro ($173 billion) loan package which Athens is trying to unlock, Finance Minister Ivan Miklos said Thursday.

Hungary opposition radio gets 60-day stay of execution — 08 February 2012, 17:29 CET

Hungary's sole nationwide opposition station Klubradio, which recently lost its licence, on Wednesday said it had been granted a 60-day extension pending a court review.

Interim Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Romania — 08 February 2012, 17:30 CET

When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime. To smooth the entry of both countries and at the same time safeguard the workings of its policies and institutions, the EU decided to establish a special "cooperation and verification mechanism" to help them address these outstanding shortcomings. In December 2006, the Commission set criteria ("benchmarks") for assessing progress made on these issues (consult the reports). The decision to continue assessing Bulgaria and Romania shows the EU's commitment to see the two countries develop the effective administrative and judicial systems they need to deliver on the obligations of membership as well as enjoying the benefits. Progress on judicial reform, corruption and organized crime will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to enjoy their full rights as EU citizens.

Interim Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Bulgaria — 08 February 2012, 17:25 CET

When they joined the EU on 1 January 2007, Romania and Bulgaria still had progress to make in the fields of judicial reform, corruption and organised crime. To smooth the entry of both countries and at the same time safeguard the workings of its policies and institutions, the EU decided to establish a special "cooperation and verification mechanism" to help them address these outstanding shortcomings. In December 2006, the Commission set criteria ("benchmarks") for assessing progress made on these issues (consult the reports). The decision to continue assessing Bulgaria and Romania shows the EU's commitment to see the two countries develop the effective administrative and judicial systems they need to deliver on the obligations of membership as well as enjoying the benefits. Progress on judicial reform, corruption and organized crime will allow Bulgarians and Romanians to enjoy their full rights as EU citizens.

EU criticism douses Romania, Bulgaria Schengen hopes — 08 February 2012, 17:29 CET

Romanian and Bulgarian hopes of rapidly joining the Schengen visa-free travel zone were dealt a new blow Wednesday as an EU report urged them to take more action against corruption and organised crime.

EU funding shortfall for ex-Soviet nuclear plants clean-up — 08 February 2012, 11:41 CET

The EU faces a shortfall of some 2.5 billion euros to complete de-commissioning of eight ex-Soviet nuclear plants in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia, says the European Court of Auditors.

EU refuses to fund 'pointless' Greece-Turkey border fence — 07 February 2012, 19:01 CET

The European Commission rejected on Tuesday a request from Greece to help pay to build a fence along its porous border with Turkey, calling the project "pointless."

Kosovo organ trade probe tries to track victims abroad — 09 February 2012, 22:58 CET

EU prosecutors in Kosovo trying seven people accused of organ trafficking in a landmark case said Tuesday they had asked Russia, Ukraine, Israel and Turkey to help identify victims of the scam.

Bulgaria pledges to shut mental homes — 06 February 2012, 19:16 CET

Bulgaria pledged Monday to shut its dilapidated mental homes after the European Court of Human Rights condemned Sofia over an inmate held for years after being wrongly diagnosed as schizophrenic.