Government

US President Barack Obama has urged the European Union to be prepared for new sanctions against Russia.

In a phone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Obama "underscored the need for the United States, European Union, and other global partners to be prepared to meet further Russian escalation with additional sanctions", the White House revealed.

Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev, outgoing NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and former foreign minister of Bulgaria Solomon Passy took a selfie. 

Passy, who is also the founder of Bulgaria's Atlantic Club, convinced Rasmussen to take a selfie minutes after he was awarded the Stara Planina Order by President Plevneliev. 

Passy tweeted the selfie shortly.

Leaders of Bulgarian Reformist Bloc, a coalition of democrats, will meet with President Rosen Plevneliev to discuss the extraordinary situation the country is facing.

Russian foreign ministry recommended to its citizens to avoid travelling to countries who have agreements with USA for apprehension and extradition of citizens of third countries. 

The warning was prompted by the international sanctions imposed on Russian officials, businesspeople and media directors, because of the annexation of Crimea.

The United States has condemned Russia's threat to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine.

In a statement made by the State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki, "Russia's efforts to use energy as a tool of coercion" are unacceptable, the BBC reports.

SNS leader talked with NDS President Boris Tadic SNS to give not more than five ministers in new Government

Aleksandar Vucic wants to have in the new Government people that know and can solve problems. It is of no importance to him which party they are from.

Serbia's EU membership by 2020 "realistic goal"

BELGRADE -- Germany's former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder stated on Thursday that the government in Belgrade has "a realistic goal for Serbia to join the EU by 2020."

This is the case as it is "ready to carry out reforms despite all difficulties on the pathway," he was quoted as saying.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic conferred on Thursday with the Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Chepurin and restated Serbia's neutral position on the situation in Ukraine, while Chepurin noted that Russia appreciates the friendship and the principled stance of Serbia.

A charity NGO of which Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan's son Bilal is a board member received USD 100 M of foreign donations between 2008 and 2012.

As talks on the new government continue, Aleksandar Vucic, leader of the ruling Progressive Party, and Boris Tadic, leader of the New Democratic Party, reached 'a significant level of agreement' at a meeting held Thursday.