BUCHAREST, Romania Former King Michael of Romania took the unusual step on Thursday of endorsing his son-in-law as a candidate in the country’s next presidential election. In a speech from Elizabeth Palace, Michael acknowledged that supporting a relative for public office was not a “normal thing for a member of …

Bulgaria European Affairs Minister, Gergana Passy, has voiced her support for Macedonia’s EU integration. Passy said that Bulgaria is ready to help Macedonia on its Euro-integration path and considers that Macedonian authorities have made significant progress in this regard, after Wednesday’s meeting with Macedonian Deputy PM and European Affairs Minister …

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov has confirmed that Russia PM Vladimir Putin will not be visiting the Sofia Energy summit because of differences in opinion over energy issues. Parvanov stated Thursday, in an interview for Bulgarian daily newspaper 24 Chasa, that Putin will not be coming to the forum due to …

Montenegro has been blocking the entrance of Kosovo exports into the country, because of their customs stamps which read the ‘Republic of Kosovo’. Even though Montenegro has recognized Kosovo’s independence, Customs officials at the border have been turning away exports, confirmed the head of Kosovo’s Economic Chamber, Besim Beqaj, to …

There are currently 19 Serbian soldiers participating in UN peacekeeping activities and missions around the world, according to Danas Daily. There are 13 officers from the Defense Ministry, and 6 officers from the Interior Ministry currently working in missions in the Congo, Liberia and the Ivory Coast, while a another …

The United States President, Barack Obama, sent a letter of congratulations to Macedonian President elect, Georgi Ivanov, Macedonia’s ruling party VMRO DPMNE quoted Thursday. In the letter, Obama expressed thanks to the country for its participation in the peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I am looking forward with great …

The EU has postponed talks with Croatia due to their inability to resolve the border dispute with Slovenia. If it is not resolved quickly, Croatia may fail to achieve its goal, and not complete entry negotiations this year. The European Union, EU, has put on the back burner an accession …

The Serbian government is considering to send military officers to NATO exercises being held in Georgia. Although, the opposition is worried about endangering political relationships with Russia. The Serbian government is considering whether or not to send Serbian Army, SA, officers to a NATO military exercise in Georgia, said Nada …

Varna is likely to become the natural gas hub of Bulgaria, Petar Dimitrov, Minister for Economy and Energy announced Tuesday while in the coastal city. “The exploitation of the newly-discovered gas deposits Kavarna 1 and Kavarna 2, Kaliakra and the small deposits that meet local needs will boost the city’s …

Politically, Macedonia has been performing well which might recommend it for exemption from the European Union’s visa regime, the European Union Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, was quoted as saying Wednesday in Brussels. Skopje is very eager for a quick decision to lift the EU visa barrier that has been hampering …