German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Wednesday he was hopeful Romania and Bulgaria could make progress toward entry into the passport-free Schengen area despite continued resistance. After talks with his Romanian counterpart Teodor Baconschi in Berlin, Westerwelle said Bucharest could count on Germany’s continued backing in attempts to wear down …

Macedonia expects a positive progress report from the European Commission (EC), said parliament chairperson Trajko Veljanovski. “I am convinced that Macedonia will be given a date for start of the accession talks,” he remarked. According to Veljanovski, the region needs a positive impulse and it will come with sitting a …

European Union mediator Robert Cooper will visit Belgrade on Oct. 7 and Pristina on Oct. 10. He will attempt to convince the two sides of the benefits of continuing their dialogue, but he will also be prepared “to listen and engage” in talks about the checkpoints and the implementation of …