European Union

"EU understands Serbia's complex ties with Russia"

BRUSSELS -- The European Union has some understanding for "complex relations" between Serbia and Russia, the Beta news agenxy quoted its European Commission sources.

A great part of 78% of Bulgarian citizens never exercise or play sport, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey on sport and physical activity.

41% of Europeans exercise or play sport at least once a week, while 59% of EU citizens never or seldom do so, according to the survey.

Bulgaria is in the Top 5 of EU countries with most alerts for dangerous products, shows data of the Rapid Alert System for non-food dangerous products RAPEX. 

Most alerts came from Hubgary – 12% of all, followed by Germany – 11%, Spain – 11%, Bulgaria – 8% and Great Britain – 6%. 

The complaints from Bulgaria were 191 – mostly for clothes of low quality, shows the RAPEX data. 

European Commission President candidate Jean-Claude Juncker backed the idea of a minimum wage across the EU.

The center-right politician told Die Welt newspaper that EU rules on labor law an protection are also needed.

Poll: 54 percent support EU membership

BELGRADE -- A majority of Serbian citizens would vote in favor of their country's membership in the EU in a referendum, according to a new survey.

The survey was commissioned by the Beta news agency and conducted by Ipsos Strategic Marketing.

BELGRADE - Serbia is using only 30 per cent of its potential in terms of agricultural and food exports to the European market, as there is not enough surplus of goods, Milorad Sredanovic, Delta Agrar's Vice-President for agriculture said on Monday.

Serbia "step away" from using EU funds for agriculture

BRUSSELS -- Serbia is a step away from the possibility of using the EU agriculture and rural development funds which in the first phase amount to EUR 11mn annually.

This is according to Serbia's chief negotiator with the EU Tanja Miščević, who spoke on Monday.

BELGRADE - Representatives of Serbia and the EU will hold a bilateral screening in Brussels on Tuesday, as part of Chapter 2 dealing with the freedom of movement for workers.

BRUSSELS - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton congratulated leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Aleksandar Vucic on the victory and results that the party had achieved in the recent parliamentary elections in Serbia, and voiced hope that they would meet in Belgrade straight after the formation of a new government.

By Kati Pohjanpalo

European Central Bank Governing Council member Erkki Liikanen reiterated that slack in the euro- area economy means policy makers will keep interest rates low even as growth improves.