European court

Complexity and parallel planning are some of the problems encountered in using European funds, which should be better targeted, European Court of Auditors (ECA) President Klaus-Heiner Lehne told AGERPRES in an interview.

The European Court has fined Athens 10 million euros - plus another 7 million euros every six months until compliance - for the state's failure to recoup the state subsidy granted to Hellenic Shipyards SA (ENAE), the company which operates the Skaramangas shipyard.

Romania's parliament on Wednesday voted to adopt a disputed law on money-laundering meant to implement a European Union directive in the field, a year and a half after the deadline had passed and months after Brussels referred the country to the European court for failing to comply.

The European Court of Human Rights has criticised the Albanian government's "inappropriate approach" in 2014, when it tried convince the court to adjourn its examination of cases concerning the restitution of property seized under the Communist regime.

The court emphasized that both Albania's official and non-official attempts to influence the court had been rebuffed.

Greece and Romania have been referred to the European Court for not adopting the European Union directive against money laundering.

The Republic of Cyprus will have to pay €25,000 to a Canadian citizen, following a decision by the European Court of Human Rights that found he was abused while in police custody.

The plaintiff, Hani Abdul Khani Kabbara, filed a case against Cyprus regarding his arrest in 2011 in Limassol and subsequent treatment by authorities.

Editor's note: A previous version of this interview contained minor spelling errors, now corrected

The Greek government submitted a bill to parliament on Wednesday evening opening the way for the country's dominant power utility PPC to begin selling coal-fired plants in May, a move strongly opposed by workers who have threatened strikes in protest.

Fifteen investors have expressed interest in acquiring coal-fired plants the country will divest to comply with an EU court ruling, Greece's Energy Ministry said on Sunday.

The rights of same-sex spouses must be recognised by every member of the EU, even if a country's government has not authorised gay marriage, the European court of justice has been advised.