Political philosophy

EU prepares assistance for Serbia

BRUSSELS -- The EU has activated its civil defense mechanism after Serbia and Bosnia requested assistance due to the massive floods that hit large parts of both countries.

This was announced by the European Commission said on Friday.

Trade between the European Union and Russia has declined considerably over the first three months of 2014, according to Eurostat figures.

EU imports from Russia have decreased by over 9% in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2013, Euractiv reported. The official figures will be published on May 16 by Eurostat.

BELGRADE - Aleksandar Antic, Serbian minister of energy and mining and national coordinator for cooperation between the People's Republic of China and 16 Central and Easter European Countries (CEEC) has said in Beijing that a new phase in cooperation between China and CEEC can be expected, particularly in the spheres of infrastructure, energy, trade and culture.

"New phase of cooperation between China, CEEC"

BEIJING -- Aleksandar Antić says "a new phase in cooperation between China and CEEC can be expected, particularly in infrastructure, energy, trade and culture."

Officials instructed not to vote against Russia

BELGRADE -- Serbian officials have received instructions "not jeopardize relations with the EU and Russia" as they vote in international forums.

Romania prepares to join eurozone

The country will switch currencies by January 2019, officials said. Also in business news: A World Bank loan to Croatia will help improve the health care sector.

Romania plans to join the eurozone in 2019. [AFP]

Day-ahead power markets were linked from Portugal to Finland on Tuesday as the European Union seeks to integrate electricity markets by the end of this year across the 28-nation bloc.

Spain and Portugal joined the existing 15-country market coupling project, linked through an interconnector between Spain and France.

Bulgaria will get a EUR 1.5 B increase from the European Social Fund for the next program period till 2020, said EU Commissioner Lazslo Andor, during his visit in Sofia. 

This transpired during the meeting of the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and Bulgaria's deputy prime minister and Justice Minister Zinaida Zlatanova. 

Thirty-four percent of Europeans have a positive image of the EU, shows the special Eurobarometer survey “Europeans 2014”, published on Monday. 

This is by three percent more, compared to the Standard Autumn Eurobarometer from November 2013. 

At the same time 26% of Europeans have a negative image of the EU. 

Bulgaria maintains significant levels of unemployment and gray economy, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion Laszlo Andor believes.

He also announced that an additional EUR 50 M will be granted to Bulgaria to tackle youth unemployment under a special EU-wide program.