Republics

There are currently 380 companies operating in the Bulgarian automotive industry, with the sector employing more than 80,000 people and accounting for over 10% of the country's gross domestic product, Automotive Cluster Bulgaria (ACB) said in a press release on Wednesday.

With Russian attacks on energy infrastructure causing power cuts, Ukraine is depending on its central and eastern European neighbours to keep the lights on.

Ukraine in recent weeks has resorted to consumption restrictions and rolling blackouts after Russian forces stepped up attacks on the country's power stations and transmission lines.

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic met with the ambassadors of EU member states at a working luncheon on Wednesday, noting that Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU was an opportunity for Serbia to establish an even better relationship with the institution.

WASHINGTON  - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with US Congresswoman Claudia Tenney on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.

Türkiye has secured an additional 250 million euros ($270,540) in funding from the Council of Europe Development Bank as part of reconstruction efforts in regions affected by last year's earthquakes in the country's south, Finance and Treasury Minister Mehmet Şimşek has announced.

Russia has launched fresh attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure using drones and missiles, escalating tensions amid the ongoing war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attending the NATO summit in Washington, expressed gratitude for promised air defense systems to bolster Kyiv's defenses.

A children's hospital in Kyiv suffered significant damage on Monday morning when a Russian missile struck its toxicology building. The hospital, known as "Okhmatdyt," is one of the largest pediatric medical centers in Europe.

WASHINGTON - US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien told Tanjug on Monday the risk in the Balkans was that "some local battles will turn into a political conflagration that will hold back the states of the region."

Minister of Economy Petko Nikolov highlighted the potential economic benefits of Bulgaria's full accession to the Schengen Area, estimating it could generate up to BGN 1.3 billion annually, as reported by the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).

BELGRADE - Serbian and Egyptian top officials will sign a FTA between the two countries in Cairo in the coming days, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PKS) President Marko Cadez announced on Monday.

Speaking to Pink TV, Cadez said the agreement would provide new business opportunities to Serbian entrepreneurs.