Germany

Bulgaria and Turkey are unrivaled as the best holiday bargain in Europe, a survey cited by German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung shows.

By Birgit Jennen

A German government fund meant as a gesture of atonement for Nazi atrocities in Greece during World War II is languishing as the two countries spar over Greece?s future financing, German officials say.

Turkey?s tourism sector has been sending mixed signals, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum. The country was ranked 44th among 141 countries in the competitiveness index, although Turkey was also the sixth-most visited country by foreign tourists, according to the report, titled ?The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2015 Ranking.? 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel weighed in, convincingly in fact, on Tuesday against stereotypes in Europe, speaking at a high school in Berlin where many of the students are from an immigrant background, particularly Turks.
“Namely, one suddenly saying ‘Oh, the Bulgarians, the Greeks, we know what they’re like’,” she said, adding: “We can’t ever say that.”

ANSA sent shivers through southern Europe on Tuesday with a report that Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists will be ferried into Italy “in the coming weeks” concealed amongst illegal migrants loaded aboard various smugglers’ vessels.
The Italian news agency quotes Omar al Gawari, the information minister in Libya’s Tobruk government.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry began high stakes talks in the Russian resort of Sochi on May 12 aimed at pushing President Vladimir Putin to fully implement a shaky Ukraine ceasefire.

Albanian prime minister cancels visit to Macedonia

TIRANA, BERLIN -- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has canceled his official visit to Macedonia, planned for May 14, Albanian language media in Pristina are reporting.

Rama was to visit Skopje and Tetovo, the website Albeu said on Tuesday, quoting sources from the Albanian Foreign Ministry.

Bosch announced an investment plan of 200 million euros ($223.6 million) for Turkey this year on May 12.

In his keynote speech at Bosch's annual meeting, President of Bosch Turkey and Middle East Steven Young said the company has full confidence in Turkey and believes in its potential.

Macedonia's government is not doing enough to account for the opposition's allegations of wrongdoing, several Western ambassadors have warned.

Stuttering holders Real Madrid could see their last chance of silverware slip away if they are unable to overturn a 2-1 deficit in May 13 Champions League semi-final, second leg at home to Juventus.