Romania

Romanian PM says his country is loyal U.S. ally

BUCHAREST -- Victor Ponta has offered guarantees to the U.S. and NATO that Romania was "a loyal ally they can rely on militarily and politically in the Ukraine crisis."

US energy giant Chevron has obtained a new permit by Romania which allows it to look for shale gas in a fifth potential deposit.

Chevron could now start drilling in Urdes, a village that lies in the eastern district of Vaslui, Dnevnik.bg has reported, citing reports by Romania's Mediafax.

As armed clashes worsen in eastern Ukraine, and after parliament in the breakaway Moldovan region of Transnistria on Wednesday formally asked to join Russia, Romania has expressed growing concern about the situation on its borders.

"Romania entirely supports the independence and the teritorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova,” President Traian Basescu said on Wednesday.

EU project modernises Albania's civil aviation

Romania and France assist Albania to upgrade its civil aviation based on EU standards.

An EU civil aviation project in Albania includes improving airport operations. [AFP]

Bulgaria's tourist business does not expect significant influx of visitors for Easter, as traditionally, most Bulgarians prefer to spend the holiday at home.

KRAGUJEVAC - Serbia triumphed against Russia 14-7 (3-1, 4-2, 3-3, 4-1) in the Men's Water Polo World League 2014 Europe Group A Round 6 preliminaries in Kragujevac late on Tuesday and secured their spot in the Super Final that will be played in Dubai on June 16-21.

Kremlin threatens gas supplies to Southeast Europe

Several nations receive Russian gas via Ukraine. In other business news: Albania's credit rating sees improvement and Turkey's military spending surpasses Canada.

The EU says Russia should not politicise its contractual shipments of gas. [AFP]

An increasing number of large Bulgarian companies buy electricity from abroad, said the chairperson of the Institute for Energy Management Ivanka Dilovska at an energy forum. 

According to her the trend started in the past several months and will most likely increase until the full capacity of imports is reached. 

A Russian attack plane engaged in “provocative” acts Saturday towards the destroyer USS Donald Cook in international waters, the Pentagon informed on Monday evening.

Almost 85 per cent of Romanians will spend Easter at home with family or friends, while the average budget allotted to this important celebration will be 359 lei (79 euro), a study published on Monday reveals.

The money spent over Easter is likely to be the much same as last year, according to a poll by MEDNET Marketing research center.