Finland

Cyprus is set to establish formal diplomatic relations with North Macedonia.

The news was revealed during the Economist conference in Lagonisi, in southwestern Attica.

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides is expected to sign the agreement on the 29th of August at an EU Foreign Affairs Council summit in Finland.

While holding the presidency of the EU Council, Romanian officials proved Romania's ability to contribute to the added value of the European Union, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said in Strasbourg on Tuesday at a plenary session of the European Parliament.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared opposed Wednesday to any potential change to Greece's economic reform program, signaling the difficulties that center-right Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is likely to face in fulfilling his pre-election pledge to bring down the country's high targets for primary budget surpluses and create the necessary fiscal space to deliver on promised tax cuts.

Greece will implement a series of reforms which are in line with what has been agreed with its creditors, government sources said Wednesday, responding to a comment by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Speaking at a news conference with Finland's prime minister, Merkel said she agreed with eurozone finance ministers that no change was needed to Greece's bailout program.

Greece's new prime minister has promised Angela Merkel in a phone call that he would quickly implement a reform program, the German chancellor said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a news conference with Finland's prime minister, Merkel also said she agreed with euro zone finance ministers that no change was needed to Greece's bailout program.

[Reuters]

Bulgaria is second in the EU at risk of poverty and social exclusion among young people and the first in the share of pregnant women in teenage age. It is also one of the countries with the most obese adolescents. Only in Slovakia there were fewer young people aged 18-24 at risk of depression.

Foreign Affairs Minister Teodor Melescanu told a news conference on Thursday, occasioned by the launching of the Finnish Presidency at the EU Council, that Romania counts on Finland's support in terms of joining Schengen. "The decision to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen Area should be taken into account.

The question of the Western Balkans is still high up on the agenda of the EU, said Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva during the discussion of the priorities of the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Bulgarians can visit 168 countries without visas in the world. This is shown by the passport index data, which is compiled by the Swiss consulting company Henley & Partners.

Finland takes over the rotating EU presidency for six months, reported BTA.