Eastern & Central Europe

Latest news about eastern and central Europe and EU enlargement.

EU ministers cut deal to end Lithuania's veto on Russia talks — 11 May 2008, 23:09 CET

Four EU foreign ministers announced on Sunday they had reached a deal to get Lithuania to lift its veto on launching talks on a new EU partnership accord with Russia.

EU ministers launch talks on Georgia crisis, Lithuania-Russia spat — 11 May 2008, 23:03 CET

A group of EU foreign ministers on Sunday began talks ahead of a mission to Georgia, where they hope to soothe tensions with Russia, also tackling the thorny issue of Lithuania's veto on a separate EU-Moscow accord.

Bulgaria promises 'concrete results' in fight against EU fund fraud — 11 May 2008, 23:02 CET

Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev promised Sunday tighter controls on the use of EU funds, after a portion was recently frozen by Brussels due to corruption concerns.

Europe: hope or treason for Serbia's voters — 11 May 2008, 22:58 CET

Serbian polls on Sunday brought to the fore deep-rooted divisions about the European Union -- viewed as the means for a better life by some voters, but despised over the issue of Kosovo by others.

Divided Serbs vote for Europe or isolation — 11 May 2008, 23:01 CET

A divided Serbia voted Sunday in snap general elections that gave its people the stark choice of entering or rebuffing the European Union after the trauma of losing Kosovo.

Serb hardliner vows to end EU integration over Kosovo — 11 May 2008, 11:41 CET

Ultra-nationalist leader Tomislav Nikolic, voting in general elections on Sunday, vowed to end Serbia's integration with the European Union unless it accepts Kosovo as a part of the country.

Serbia holds most important vote since Milosevic — 11 May 2008, 11:40 CET

Serbia voted Sunday in snap general elections that give its people the stark choice of entering or rebuffing the European Union after the trauma of losing Kosovo, their historic heartland.

Serbia votes in make-or-break elections — 11 May 2008, 11:40 CET

Voters in Serbia took to the polls on Sunday in general elections seen as a referendum giving its people a stark choice between entering or abandoning the European Union over Kosovo's independence.

Malta aims to erase fiscal deficit by 2010 — 10 May 2008, 15:46 CET

Malta's government pledged to slash its budget deficit to achieve a balance by 2010 as the new eurozone member officially opened its parliament on Saturday following March elections.

Slovenia ties Georgia mission to Lithuania's EU-Russia veto: report — 10 May 2008, 15:45 CET

European Union president Slovenia reportedly warned Saturday it could skip a five-nation foreign ministers' mission to Georgia that aims to cool tensions with Russia, unless Lithuania drops its veto on separate EU-Russia talks.

EU foreign ministers to fly to Georgia to cool Russia crisis: officials — 09 May 2008, 19:09 CET

Five European Union foreign ministers will travel to Georgia next week to try to help to cool tensions with Russia over the separatist region of Abkhazia, Slovenia said Friday.

EU satellite imagery experts will seek to solve Georgia drones row — 09 May 2008, 19:09 CET

Experts from the EU Satellite Centre in Spain will travel to Georgia to help investigate recent incidents involving Georgian drones overflying the rebel region of Abkhazia, an EU spokeswoman said Friday.

Serbia adopts EU, Russia deals ahead of crunch polls — 09 May 2008, 19:10 CET

Serbia's coalition government, which collapsed in disarray over East-West ties, adopted deals with the European Union and Russia on Friday, two days before crunch general elections.

EU will talk with whoever wins Serbian elections: Slovenian FM — 09 May 2008, 17:44 CET

The European Union wants Serbia to become a member and is ready to discuss its accession even if anti-EU nationalists win Sunday elections, Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel said Friday.

Slovenia confirms EU mission to Georgia — 09 May 2008, 14:51 CET

Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency, confirmed Friday that an EU mission would travel to Georgia next week to cool tensions over Abkhazia.

Serbia goes to polls deeply divided over Europe — 09 May 2008, 12:36 CET

Serbia's path towards the European Union divides its political scene and society to such an extent that weekend polls are bound to have a huge impact on the country's future, analysts said Friday.

Serb cabinet in final pre-poll showdown on EU, Russia — 09 May 2008, 12:37 CET

Serbia's outgoing coalition government, which collapsed over East-West ties, meets Friday to approve a Russian energy deal in a final showdown two days before crunch general elections.

EU commissioner urges Serbia to turn to Europe — 09 May 2008, 10:53 CET

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Friday urged Serbians to vote for pro-European candidates in the country's general election in which Serbia's future direction is a key issue.

Third body of illegal immigrant found floating off Malta: army — 08 May 2008, 23:24 CET

A third body of an illegal immigrant was found floating off the coast of Malta Thursday, sparking fears a possible larger tragedy may have unfolded.

Lithuania and Poland join forces on EU-Russia negotiations — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

Lithuania and Poland have agreed to coordinate their strategies on whether to agree further European talks on an EU-Russia partnership pact, Lithuania's government information bureau said Thursday.

EU ministers to visit Georgia to ease tensions with Moscow — 08 May 2008, 19:28 CET

The foreign ministers of Slovenia, Sweden Poland and Lithuania plan to visit Georgia on Monday in an effort to try to cool tensions between Tbilisi and Moscow.

Lithuania, Latvia ratify EU's Lisbon treaty — 08 May 2008, 13:25 CET

The former Soviet states of Lithuania and Latvia on Thursday ratified the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which aims to reforming decision making in the 27-nation bloc.

Free speech reform comes into force in Turkey — 08 May 2008, 10:10 CET

A long-awaited law aimed at expanding freedom of speech came into force in Turkey on Thursday after presidential approval.

Serbia's fragile economy at stake in weekend polls — 08 May 2008, 10:11 CET

Serbia's fragile economy could pay the price if nationalists win Sunday's general elections, depriving it of the benefits of European Union rapprochement, analysts warn.

EU to raise Georgian conflict at summit with Russia — 07 May 2008, 22:37 CET

The European Union will discuss easing tensions between Russia and Georgia at an upcoming summit in Siberia, the EU's Slovenian presidency said Wednesday.