Dacic thanked Russia for its support for Serbia's territorial integrity

Bilateral relations between Serbia and Russia are at a high level despite numerous challenges. This was pointed out at a meeting between Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dačić and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, tanjug.rs reported. Dacic said that economic relations with Russia are extremely important, especially in the energy sector, and that it is important for Serbia to extend the natural gas deal with Russia beyond its expiration in 2025. He also thanked Russia for its support for the territorial integrity of the country. "This is vitally important for us. It is vital to know that we have a secure vote in the (UN) Security Council that will always be against the independence of Kosovo and Metohija and that will always support the territorial integrity of Serbia," Dačić said. Serbia does not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo in 2008.

Croatian court did not allow President Milanovic to run for prime minister

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic scheduled parliamentary elections in the country for April 17 and hours later announced that he himself would run for the country's next prime minister from the list of the opposition Social Democratic Party, but would not resign from the presidency. The announcement caused a deep political crisis in the country, which is a member of the EU and NATO, BTA reported. Because of the president's move, the Constitutional Court of Croatia was called upon to give its opinion on the case. The magistrates ruled that Milanović's candidacy, while holding the office of president is incompatible with his constitutional position and powers and the principle of separation of powers. Outraged by the court's decision, Milanovic said it "kills democracy" by declaring "a simple attempt to participate in parliamentary elections a violation of the Constitution".

Erdogan: Cyprus could have been completely ours

During an iftar (ritual dinner during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan) with the Turkish military, Turkish President Recep Erdogan defended the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. He pointed out that if Turkish forces had moved further south, then "Cyprus could have been completely ours today," Branislava Bobanac, BNR's correspondent on the island, reported. The government in Nicosia described Erdogan's statement as "unacceptable and provocative." "For 50 years now, Cyprus, a full member of the EU, has been under occupation after the barbaric invasion," said government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis. Cyprus has been divided since 1974. After an attempted military coup by the Greek military, Turkey occupied with troops a part of the island where the Turkish population dominated. The then-established Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognized today only by Turkey, while the international community perceives it as part of the Republic of Cyprus.

EC: If Romania does not catch up with delays, it will lose funds under Recovery and Resilience Plan

Romania has two and a half years to meet its targets under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Otherwise, it will be forced to return the pre-financing received. The European Commission warned Bucharest about this during a review of what has been done on the plan so far, Radio Romania International (RRI) has reported. Brussels officials have pointed out that Romania has carried out reforms in the fields of energy, justice, anti-corruption and pension insurance, but other key reforms, such as tax reforms and reforms related to business efficiency and corporate governance of state-owned enterprises, have not been carried out. The large fiscal deficit, which this year could reach about 7% of GDP, is also a problem. According to the Plan, Romania expects 30 billion euros from the EU in the form of grants and loans, which must be used by the end of 2026, RRI reports.

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: BGNES, Getty