Latvia

BELGRADE - Four publishing houses from Serbia won awards at the Slavic Book Festival in Moscow, the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Serbia announced on Friday.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic received on Thursday letters of credence from new ambassadors of Albania, Poland, Latvia, Oman, Namibia, who conveyed the desire of their countries to strengthen bilateral and economic relations even further.

Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini was appointed on Saturday as the European Union’s new foreign policy chief.

European leaders also chose Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as the new President of the European Council, the current President Herman Van Rompuy announced in tweets at the EU summit in Brussels.

Seven NATO members will create a British-led joint expeditionary force for rapid deployment in response to the crisis in Ukraine, the Financial Times has reported.

By Adrian Croft & Barbara Lewis

European Union foreign ministers voiced concern on Friday at reports that Russian military vehicles had crossed into Ukraine overnight, but behind the tough talk there were signs that EU unity over sanctions against Moscow was fraying.

Italy has officially nominated Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as the country’s candidate to become the EU’s new high representative for foreign affairs.

Joint drills enhance military co-operation and mutual confidence

A total of 49.3% of all Bulgarians live below the poverty threshold, a survey by Greek statistical institute EL.STAT shows.

Greece ranks fourth among EU countries in terms of the highest percentage of citizens living on the poverty line, Bulgarian Telegraph Agency informs.

Romania's President Traian Basescu on Tuesday said the Russian Federation is a partner state of terrorist groups operational in eastern Ukraine.

Serbian minimum wage: Under one euro per hour

BELGRADE -- Serbia's net minimum wage - deducting taxes and contributions for mandatory social insurance - will be RSD 115 per hour from July until December.

The Serbian government made the decision on Friday.