Member states of the United Nations

Greece sees increase in tourism

A wave of tourists visited Greece for the Easter holiday. Also in business news: The European Central Bank launched a Eurosystem co-operation programme with Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia

Greece has seen an influx of tourists for the Easter holiday. [AFP]

The northern part of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast was once again preferred by Romanian tourists for their Easter holiday.

Balchik, a city north of Bulgaria's "sea capital" Varna, was among the top destinations for Romanians, and the summer season for most hotels there had an early start.

Bulgarians will spend around BGN 300 M for travels during the Easter holidays show estimates of the Institute for Analysis of Tourism. 

The turnover of shops and restaurants would increase by around BGN 400 M, shows data of the National Revenue Agency, quoted by bTV TV channel. 

Two thirds of the rebel fighters in Syria are citizens of European countries, says a report of the London-based International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation. 

According to the report, entitled "Greenbirds: Measuring importance and influence in Syrian Foreign Fighter Networks'", around 10% of the foreign fighters are from Eastern Europe, Bulgaria included. 

US Secretary of State John Kerry (L) reaches out to shake hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the start of a bilateral meeting to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine in Geneva April 17.

By Ian Bremmer *

BELGRADE - Greek Ambassador to Serbia Konstantinos Ikonomidis opened in Army Hall in Belgrade the exhibition of paintings entitled 'Greece in the consciences and hearts of Serbian painters' authored by art historian Nikola Kusovac which was organised as homage to the country with which Serbia has nurtured close ties for centuries now.

EC: GDP higher than expected in most candidate countries

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission has stated that the increase of GDP in Serbia and other EU member candidates was higher than expected - except in Albania.

In that country, a decline has been observed, the Beta news agency quoted the latest economic analysis of the European Commission.

Bulgaria's Presient Rosen Plevneliev accused Russia of undermining the international law and destabilizing Ukraine. 

He urged the EU and NATO to support the Ukrainian people in its bid to decide on its own future through honest elections, rather than through backroom machinations. 

Greece is prepared to provide assistance in the search for the remains of a Turkish pilot who reportedly died after a Turkish F-16 fighter jet crashed near the Aegean island of Chios in 1996, Turkish media reported on Wednesday.

Vacations in Bulgaria are still most preferred by Romanians, writes the Romanian daily Adevarul. 

The main attractions are the cheap, traditional and pleasant holidays. “This is why the trend to go to the all inclusive paradise – the Bulgarian coast – continues this year,” says the newspaper.