European Union

Bulgaria ranks first in EU terms of stroke mortality rates, according to the Health Strategy 2014-2020.

Some 160 out of 100,000 Bulgarians die of stroke, compared to the average EU mortality of 51 people, Bulgarian Pressa reports.

The EU cannot plug the holes in Ukraine's economy, according to Bulgarian socialist MEP Ivaylo Kalfin.

Speaking at a meeting with Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, Kalfin argued that Ukraine could get assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the IMF was the body which could solve the country's immediate problems.

Socialist MP Kornelia Ninova announced that the concept of "substantial market power" would be introduced in Bulgaria's Competition Protection Act.

In a Thursday interview for bTV, Ninova explained that the Commission for Protection of Competition had been given 3 months to prepare the methodology and identify companies possessing substantial market power.

The EU freezes the bank accounts of 18 former government officials of Ukraine as of Thursday. 

The list of names is not officially announced, but among them are the ousted president Viktor Yanukovich, his two sons, the former chief prosecutor Victor Pshonka, interior minister Vitalii Zaharenko, justice minister Olga Lukash and heads of Yanukovich's administration. 

KOPAONIK - Strengthening the rule of law, institutions, justice system and harmonizing Serbia's foreign policy with that of the EU are just some of the recommendations that ambassadors of the EU member states and the Unites States see as the priorities for Belgrade along its path toward EU membership.

DJIBOUTI, BELGRADE - The Serbian Armed Forces first autonomous team for protecting ships from pirates, which participated in Operation Atalanta of the EU Naval Force (NAVFOR), completed its tour of duty with NAVFOR on Tuesday.

A ceremony was held at the French base in Djibouti to mark the end of team's tour and they were presented with medals for their work with NAVFOR.

BELGRADE - Serbian Defence Minister Nebojsa Rodic conferred with Indonesian Ambassador in Serbia Samuel Samson on Tuesday and expressed gratitude for Indonesia's principled support to the fight for protection Serbia's legitimate interests over the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

KOPAONIK - Tanja Miscevic, Serbia's chief negotiator with the EU, stated on Wednesday that the next government should adopt as soon as possible the legislation on labor, bankruptcy and privatization that has been prepared, as well as a great number of bylaws.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - A pre-trial judge at the Basic Court in North Mitrovica granted the application of Kosovo's Special Prosecution Office and ordered a two-month extension of detention on remand for Dragoljub Delibasic.

KOPAONIK - Scientific Director of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies Michael Landesmann noted on Tuesday that the issue Serbia should focus on in the coming period is its vast foreign debt.