Pes

President of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Sergei Stanishev, who is attending on Saturday the meeting of the Social Democratic Party's (PSD) Extraordinary Congress, voiced his support for Viorica Dancila's candidacy in the presidential elections, mentioning that she took on the party leadership at a difficult time.

Three Greek shipping companies have sued US refiner Philadelphia Energy Solutions Inc (PES) for about $600,000, claiming the company did not pay them for fees incurred by crude oil tankers chartered earlier this year, court documents show.

PES Common Candidate Frans Timmermans (L) with PES leader Sergey Stanishev. Photo: EPA/Miguel A. Lopez

Weeks ahead of the European elections, the European Socialists have "frozen" their relations with the ruling party in Romania, and in June will decide on its continued membership of the left-wing bloc in the European Parliament.

Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD) says the announcement from the leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES) regarding PES freezing relations with PSD does not reflect "the overall position of the PES," adding that it is "looking forward" to finding out what issues worries PES.

A delegation from the European Parliament's (EP) Socialist Group, including EU Turkey rapporteur Kati Piri, is set to pay a visit Feb. 19 to the Sur district of southeastern Diyarbak?r province, where the clashes between the security forces and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants have been ongoing for months.