International relations

Prime Minister Victor Ponta says that Italy is a positive example of how the peoples of Europe can live together and respect each other.

Government officials continued discussions on a pending cabinet reshuffle on Monday with all signs pointing to Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras leaving his post to go to the Bank of Greece though it remained unclear who would replace him.

BELGRADE - Serbia' First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met with Russian Ambassador Alexander Chepurin in Belgrade Monday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations and a forthcoming visit to Belgrade by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The German Finance Ministry attempted on Monday to play down comments by Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble that Greece would require a third bailout.

Schaeuble had suggested in an interview with Focus magazine that Greece would need assistance of less than 10 billion euros in the years to come.

The mayor of Bulgaria's Svoge, Joro Tsvetkov, has been relieved of his duties, the Prosecution revealed.

Tsvetkov is under investigation for abusing his powers as mayor between January 2011 and June 2013, in connection with drafting the municipal budget, as well as breaching the Public Procurement Act.

His removal was ordered by the Sofia District Court.

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras refused to make on Minday any further comment on his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble’s claim that Greece would need more loans.

Stournaras was asked about the German minister’s comments when he left a meeting with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras at the Maximos Mansion. “We put out a statement yesterday,” said Stournaras.

Hearings at the Hague-based court for the resolution of international disputes began on Monday with Croatia presenting its case, as Zagreb and Ljubljana attempted to settle a dispute that has continued since they both became independent from the former Yugoslavia.

By Marcus Bensasson & Eleni Chrepa

Alexis Tsipras is presenting a friendlier face to investors as he tries to cultivate an image as the leader of Greece’s next government.

BELGRADE - UK Minister for Europe David Lidington is coming to Belgrade on Monday to talk with Serbia's top officials about UK-Serbia relations and other relevant issues.

As the Serbian president's office has announced, President Tomislav Nikolic will first receive Lidington, and the UK official will then meet Ivica Dacic, Serbia's first deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Russia and NATO are to hold talks over the situation in Ukraine on Monday's joint session in Brussels.

The meeting at an ambassadorial level called by Moscow comes after the alliance froze on April 1 all cooperation within the NATO-Russia Council except political dialogue between high representatives.