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The Greek coast guard is to get six new patrol boats in a deal mostly funded by the European Union.

Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis signed an agreement on Wednesday which will see Greece pick up the six vessels for a total cost of 13.3 million euros.

Swiss-Serbian chamber of commerce to be established

BELGRADE -- A ceremonial session to establish the Swiss-Serbian chamber of commerce will be held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS) on Thursday.

According to announcements, it is meant to contribute to improved economic cooperation between the two countries.

Macedonia's opposition Social Democratic Party, the SDSM, has filed charges against Prime Minister Gruevski on three accounts of taking bribes and tax evasion.

“By law, the minimum penalty for tax evasion alone is a minimum of four years in jail,” the head of the SDSM, Zoran Zaev, told a press conference.

BELGRADE - The government of Serbia warned on Tuesday about the danger of a new flood wave, which is expected in Serbia in the next two days, and the possible landslides in the flood affected areas once the water retreats.

For the first time in five years, construction in Bulgaria in 2013 posted a growth, shows the data of the National Registry of New Buildings and Reconstructions. 

In the past year the overall construction of new buildings grew by 21.96%. 

Highest growth was posted in Sofia – by 28.23%, followed by the Black Sea city of Burgas. 

Turkey will import electricity from Bulgaria due to the extended dry spell in the country, according to Taner Yildiz, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

There has been a direct link between fiscal austerity and a sharp rise in male suicides in Greece, according to research carried out by academics at the University of Portsmouth in the UK.

Fatal car crash near the town of Sandanski, accident on Hemus motorway, heavy rains and floods marked the Holy Saturday in Bulgaria.

Four young people - two boys and two girls were killed in a car crash on the main road E-79 near Sandanski, BGNES reports.

Bulgaria’s traffic police has warned drivers to put winter tires on their cars for travelling in the higher regions over the weekend.

The unseasonably cold weather will persist throughout the weekend, with snowfall likely in the mountainous areas. With temperatures dropping overnight, the wet surface of the roads could turn to ice in some places.

SPS accepts SNS proposal to join cabinet

BELGRADE -- The Presidency of the Socialist Party (SPS) has accepted the proposal of SNS and its leader Aleksandar Vučić concerning their participation in a new government.

The SPS, led by Ivica Dačić, announced late on Thursday that they made the decision "because this is in Serbia's best interest."