International Monetary Fund

By Rainer Buergin & Patrick Donahue

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said that European nations looking to throw Ukraine a financial lifeline could use Greece’s bailout as a blueprint.

Romania's President Traian Basescu asked Prime Minister Victor Ponta to revoke a fuel excise coming into force on April 1.

In a letter, Basescu wrote that introducing the excise would "put an exaggerated and pointless pressure on the economic environment and on the consumers," as Romania's AGERPRES quoted him as saying.

Ukraine crisis spurs Balkan countries to co-operate

Regional countries sign agreements and plan joint projects to improve security and mutual trust.

Albania Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati and his Croatia counterpart Vesna Pusic sign a European Partnership agreement in Zagreb on March 21st. [Albania Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

Japan is ready to offer Ukraine economic aid worth USD 1.5 B if the country reaches an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

World Bank official: Serbia has 9 months for reforms

BELGRADE -- Serbia has nine months to conduct reforms, World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Tony Verheijen has said.

BELGRADE - Serbia has 9 months to conduct reforms, World Bank Country Manager for Serbia Tony Verheijen has said, adding that it is very important to protect political credibility.

 Credit sector requirements will depend on economic growth, the course of bad loans and their management

By Dimitris Kontogiannis

Moody's, one of leading rating agencies, has reassessed the outlook of Cyprus to positive.

The agency cited an unexpected fiscal and economic performance over the past year as a reason, Deutsche Welle has reported.

Greek bond yields dipped on Friday after Standard & Poor's said it could raise Greece's credit ratings if GDP growth were to pick up more substantially, after keeping them deep in junk territory with a stable outlook.

"Debt reduction requires major budget cuts"

BELGRADE -- An International Monetary Fund mission will visit Serbia for talks on a new three-year arrangement with the country shortly after a new government is formed.