European Parliament

BELGRADE - With the pace and quality of its European integration process, Serbia is sending the best possible message to itself, the region and entire Europe, and it needs to get a strong and operational government as soon as possible, Serbia's outgoing Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and the European Parliament rapporteur for Southeastern Europe Jelko Kacin said during a meeting on Friday.

Moldova's citizens will soon be able to travel to the EU's border-free Schengen area without a visa, under a draft law approved by Parliament on Thursday.

There is no risk of EU funds suspension, Bulgaria's government is making every effort to prevent it, Denitsa Karadzhova, EU Affairs and EU Funds Oversight Committee chair assured.

Ashton: Kosovo dialogue example to region

BRUSSELS -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton commended on Thursday participants of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue.

According to her, they are "an example to the entire region of the Western Balkans."

Turkey, Europe declare 'end game' for tobacco users

European Union and Turkish tobacco experts set the rules aimed at ending the use of tobacco in Europe.

Coffee shop owners stage a 2009 protest against the government's ban of indoor smoking. Experts say the adoption of European directives will help reduce smoking and its related health risks. [AFP]

BRUSSELS - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton commended on Thursday participants of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, saying they are an example to the entire region of the Western Balkans.

BRUSSELS - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton commended on Thursday participants of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, saying they are an example to the entire region of the Western Balkans.

Former Central Macedonia Governor Panayiotis Psomiadis on Thursday announced the creation of his own party, to run in the May 25 European Parliament elections.

At a news conference in Thessaloniki, Psomiadis unveiled the name of the new group, which will be called Patrida (Homeland), and said that he was glad to be leaving New Democracy.

Pictures from Macedonia's capital Skopje can be seen at the European Parliament's visitors center in a short film dedicated to Sofia.

The story presented by the film starts with the 1997 protests that rocked Bulgaria's capital and goes on with later years of transition to market economy in the country.

European Parliament voted Thursday to scrap mobile roaming fees charged while using a phone abroad.

After MEPs approved the measure with an overwhelming majority (534 to 25 votes), making a call or using the Internet in another EU country will cost as much as it does at home.

Scrapping of roaming fees comes into force on December 15, 2015.