Romania

BELGRADE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated on Wednesday that Serbia will have a four-pronged approach to the country's recovery and damage repair including the electric power system, road infrastructure, repair of houses and encouraging economic growth.

Vucic told a news briefing that the Serbian electric power system suffered the greatest damage in the floods.

The Vice President of the United States has arrived in Bucharest on Tuesday, May 20, for a two-day visit. The American official has arrived in Romania together with his wife Jill Biden.

Shale gas and military expenditures, alongside the Ukraine crisis, were the main issues in meetings of US Vice President Joe Biden with Romanian leaders.

"We discussed shale gas [with Vice President Biden]. It is quite clear that the US is encouraging such exploitation," AGERPRES agency quoted Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta as saying.

A total of over BGN 3 B will be allocated to regional growth in the new programming period 2014-2020, according to Bulgarian Regional Development Minister Desislava Terzieva.

US Vice-President Joe Biden on Tuesday arrived in Romania to reassure leaders of America’s continuing commitment in the face of Russia’s growing military assertiveness.

“It’s an obligation for us to stay close to you so, in the name of the US President, I should say, you can count on us,” Biden said shortly after he arrived in Bucharest.

Countries expecting fewer tourists from Russia

Bulgaria and Montenegro are expecting a drop in Russian tourists this summer. Also in business news: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will invest 500 million euros in Cyprus.

The number of Russian tourists visiting the region this summer is expected to decline. [AFP]

BUCHAREST - The Romanian government approved a decision Tuesday to send emergency humanitarian aid to Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) worth RON 880,000 (about EUR 200,000).

Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced on Monday that Romania is to offer food, blankets and water to people in neighbouring Serbia and to Bosnia and Herzegovina in an effort to help flood victims.

Bucharest is also to send anti-flood pumps to the affected areas.

The annual Night of Museums in Romania will involve exhibitions, dance and theatre performances, concerts and films in events all across the country, according to the official website for the event.

Thousands of Romanians are expected to attend the events, hearing hitherto little-known stories of different objects in the museums.

Romania has announced plans to cancel the debts of 15 companies in the defence sector, citing the worrying geopolitical context, which it says requires strengthening defence capacities.