European Commission

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has urged all Balkan countries to join NATO and the EU, adding that this is the only move that would bring the much-needed security in the region.

Speaking Friday after a meeting with the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, Borisov expressed hopes that Montenegro would join NATO by end-2015.

BRUSSELS - The position of the EU on the status of Kosovo has not changed and the question of its recognition is a question for EU member countries, spokesperson of the European Commission (EC) Catherine Ray said on Friday.

Croatia's government on Thursday vowed to cut the cost of the state administration by some 130 million euro a year, to meet a set of reforms and measures needed to correct macroeconomic imbalances.

The measures and reforms are described in a draft sent on Monday to the European Commission, which in May will decide on EU measures to be taken in Croatia.

BELGRADE - Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will pay a visit to Belgrade on Friday, with the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and implementation of agreements expected to be the main topic of her discussions with Serbian officials.

EU Commissioner of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos arrived in Malta on Thursday, where he expressed the Union’s solidarity to the island nation in its efforts to deal with a growing tide of illegal migrants attempting to reach its territory.

The European Commission took a decision Thursday on demanding a clarification on the laws regarding the acquisition of agricultural lands passed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithunia and Slovakia.

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Frederica Mogherini, will be visiting Kosovo for the first time since taking office in November on Thursday, when she plans to meet Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and opposition and minority party representatives.

The energy union, Greece and how to boost the economy were all hotly debated during a discussion on last week's Council summit and during the European Parliament's plenary session on March 25. MEPs welcomed plans for closer collaboration on energy issues, but also called attention to the situation in Greece.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday he believes Greece's reforms and financing issues are being resolved after a torrid few weeks.

"I have to recognize that I was very pessimistic during the last weeks because there was no progress whatsoever,» Juncker told the European Parliament.

The European Parliament on Wednesday approved EUR 1.8 B in fresh financial aid for Ukraine.

"This financial assistance package will be used in order to balance the budget and help Ukraine sustain its economy, to repay the debts that are due this year," rapporteur Gabrielius Landsbergis commented ahead of the vote.