Government

The Bulgaria of Citizens Movement on Monday became full member of the European People's Party.

Following a unanimous vote at the EPP Political Assembly in Oslo, the Bulgaria of Citizens Movement said in a statement it has become the country's fifth political party to join the the family of the centre-right in Europe after the Democratic Party, SDS, DSB and GERB.

Some 50 former police officers, including former police intelligence unit heads, were detained in a fresh wave of operations held primarily in the Mediterranean province of Mersin and seven other provinces early June 1 over allegations of wiretapping top government officials.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday dismissed the ?absurdity? of EU complaints over a travel ban imposed by Moscow on 89 Europeans over the Ukraine crisis.

Before leaving for the US, Vucic said he expected a "hard but successful visit" with US state officials and business leaders.

Despite the death of US Vice President Joe Biden's son on Saturday, Vucic's cabinet said Monday that the Prime Minister is still scheduled to meet with Biden on Wednesday.

Germany’s EU Commissioner Guenter Oettinger said on Sunday morning that a deal with Greece could be achieved this week. “We will need progress at the working group level, in order that we can agree on a reform agenda, perhaps even by the end of the week which would trigger the payment of the last tranche of aid from the current aid program,” he said, speaking with German newspaper Die Welt.

The aim of the forum is to exchange information, formulate measures and decide upon measures for promoting eco-friendly policies. Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev made a speech at the official opening ceremony.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has said he is planning to hold an address to the nation to set a date and a list of questions for an upcoming referendum on voting rules.

Plevneliev has told reporters he is working together with Parliament to find a viable solution so that the vote takes place along with local vote for mayors and municipal councilors this autumn.

Lawyers for Zaev and the other defendants in the case want the Skopje Criminal Court to dismiss the charges against them and confirm that grounds for criminal prosecution and a trial do not exist.

Germany's EU Commissioner Guenter Oettinger said on Monday it might still be possible for Greece and its creditors to reach a deal this week.

The corpses of 17 migrants were brought ashore in Sicily aboard an Italian naval vessel on May 31 along with 454 survivors as efforts intensified to rescue people fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.