Jean-Claude Juncker

Incoming European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced Thursday the decision of Alenka Bratusek, former Slovenian Prime Minister, to withdraw her candidacy for a post on the European Commission.

A bid by former Slovenian premier Alenka Bratusek to become EC Vice-President for Energy Union was rejected late on Wednesday by two panels of members of the European Parliament.

Bratusek failed to convince EU parliamentarians during a confirmation hearing on Monday for her role as European Commission vice president for energy union.

Jean-Claude Juncker, who is due to take over as president of the European Commission on November 1, was back in Athens for the second time in a month on Friday as the Greek government sought to drive home its positions on the ongoing troika negotiations and plans for an early bailout exit with European decision makers.

Incoming European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is to meet with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Friday for talks and a working lunch in the former Luxembourg premier's second visit to the Greek capital in two months.

Incoming European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to visit Athens on Friday, the Commission's press office confirmed on Wednesday.

The former prime minister of Luxembourg and Eurogroup president is scheduled to have a working lunch with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Romania's European Commissioner-designate Corina Cretu, nominated for the Regional Policy portfolio, will be heard on October 1 by the specialized committees of the European Parliament, EurActiv informed on Wednesday.

Three committees at the European Parliament are to take part in the interrogation of Kristalina Georgieva in end-September.

Georgieva and all other commissioner candidates are to be heard at the sessions scheduled between September 29 and October 7 at the European Parliament.

BELGRADE - Serbia does not want to join the EU as an economic cripple, Deputy Prime Minister and Government Administration Minister Kori Udovicki said on Monday, adding that she hoped Serbia would overcome its economic straits and become a member of the EU after the end of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's term in office.

Bulgaria will be the biggest net recipient of EU funding in the next seven years, incoming EU Commission Vice President for Budget and Human Resources Kristalina Georgieva said.

The President-elect of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker announced on Wednesday that the EU will not expand over the next five years.

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