Federalism

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Turkey know well to plan ahead, take their time and make sure they adhere closely to strict rules and practices when applying for major international funds, especially the colossal grants offered by the European Union for over a decade during Turkey?s pre-accession phase.

BRUSSELS - The situation concerning freedom of the media is not good anywhere in the Western Balkans, and in its annual reports reviewing the progress made by candidate countries, the European Commission (EC) will dedicate much attention to the topic, it has been said at a panel discussion on the region's media, held in Brussels.

Serbia receives EUR 60.2mn from EU Solidarity Fund

BELGRADE -- Serbia has been granted EUR 60.2 million worth of funds from the EU Solidarity Fund "for repair of flood consequences," Tanjug has reported.

The agency quoted Serbian Minister without portfolio in charge of EU integration Jadranka Joksimovic.

The State Fund Agriculture - Paying Agency has made an advance subsidy payment of nearly BGN 5 M to the Pomorie Municipality for the reconstruction and modernization of the local fishing port.

The European Commission published new figures on Monday showing that in 2014, nearly 2500 products, ranging from toys to motor vehicles, were either stopped before they entered the EU or removed from markets because they were dangerous for EU consumers.

The European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee called for faster EU integration after a heated debate in which Croatian lawmakers said Serbia should be forced to address its wartime wrongdoing.
 
 

Finding three different sources of natural gas supplies in order to reduce dependence on Russian deliveries will the main task of a new European energy body set up on Monday in Sofia.

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Veselin Vuchkov announced during the parliamentary control on Friday that the summer floods caused damages amounting to EUR 400 M.

According to the estimates, the first wave of floods caused damages amounting to EUR 311 M, while the second wave resulted in damages amounting to EUR 79 M, Darik radio reports.

PM hopeful of "finishing homework" by 2019

DAVOS -- Prime Minister Vucic has told Reuters that the strategic, political and economic objective of his country is to be a part of the EU.

Another objective was to preserve good relations with all other countries, he said.

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic will pay a visit to the Russian Federation on December 22-23 to discuss with State Duma officials improvement of bilateral relations.

According to a statement from her office, Gojkovic will meet with State Duma President Sergey Naryshkin and then address the State Duma deputies.