Sergio Mattarella

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has resigned after suffering a heavy defeat in a referendum over his plan to reform the constitution.
In a late-night news conference, he said he took responsibility for the outcome, and said the No camp must now make clear proposals.
With most ballots counted, the No vote leads with 60% against 40% for Yes.

A meeting of ten presidents of parliamentary republics across the EU is to start in Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, on Wednesday.

The migrant crisis is again expected to top the agenda alongside the challenges Europe is facing after Britain's decision to leave the EU.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev awarded the ambassadors of Italy and Morocco with orders as the two are preparing to leave the country, their appointments having ended.

"With respect to Brexit, everyone was surprised, including our British friends. We are obliged to give them a chance to consider their position. It is not clear exactly what the British government wants," said at a press conference Bulgarian President Plevneliev.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella is set to arrive in Bulgaria on Tuesday at the invitation of his counterpart Rosen Plevneliev, the latter's press office has said.

The migration crisis, the state of the EU following the Brexit referendum in Britain, security and terrorism will be high on the agenda of their talks.

The U.N. refugee agency said on April 20 that it feared around 500 migrants from Africa had drowned in the Mediterranean after witnesses said their overcrowded boat sank.

Hundreds of migrants are feared to have died in a new migrant tragedy in the Mediterranean, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on April 18. 

Unconfirmed media reports earlier on the same day spoke of up to 400 victims from boats that capsized near the Egyptian coast as they attempted to sail to Europe. 

Several hundred people appear to have died in a new migrant tragedy in the Mediterranean, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said on April 18. 

Unconfirmed media reports earlier on Monday spoke of up to 400 victims from boats which capsized near the Egyptian coast as they attempted to sail to Europe. 

The presidents of Bulgaria and Italy have discussed trade and investment links between their countries, diversification of energy supplies to Europe and the migration crisis during a meeting in Rome.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Jan. 27 he had not asked his Italian hosts to cover up classical nude statues in a Rome museum he visited with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.