European Commission endorses Cyprus’s Recovery and Resilience Plan

The European Commission adopted a positive assessment of Cyprus’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, informed the correspondent of the Bulgarian National Radio in Cyprus Branislava Bobanac. This is an important step towards the EU disbursing a total of EUR 1.2 billion in grants and loans under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This financing will support the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Cyprus’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, said in Nicosia the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The Commission’s assessment finds that Cyprus’s plan devotes 41% of the plan’s total allocation to measures that support climate objectives. The plan includes reforms relating to the introduction of green taxation, the liberalization of the electricity market, facilitating energy renovations in buildings and accelerating electric mobility. The Commission’s assessment finds that Cyprus’s plan devotes 23% of its total allocations to measures that support the digital transition.

Report of United States Department of State on North Macedonia identifies corruption as a problem in government tenders and in the judiciary

“Corruption, especially in government tenders and in the judiciary, is a major problem for doing business in North Macedonia”, reads a report of the United States Department of State, announced North Macedonia’s television Sitel. “Large foreign companies operating in the zones generally report positive investment experience. However, the country’s overall regulatory environment remains complex. For instance, frequent regulatory and legislative changes, coupled with inconsistent interpretation of the rules, create an unpredictable business environment conducive to corruption”, reads the report.

Viktor Orban: Hungary unequivocally supports Serbia and its path to the EU

Hungary’s role is extremely stabilizing in almost all Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic said in Belgrade after the meeting with Hungary’s Premier Viktor Orban.“Viktor Orban and his government openly support Serbia’s EU path, even when they face criticism”, said President Vucic. ”Hungary unequivocally supports Serbia’s ambition to join the European Union. Serbia plays a pivotal role in the stability and integration of the Western Balkans”, said Viktor Orban during the meeting. “Serbia is the key to the region’s stability and until it is integrated into the European Union, the Western Balkans will not be integrated”, noted Hungary’s Premier Orban.

Luigi Soreca: Albania must step up final convictions and final confiscation of illegal assets

Despite some progress made, we are not there yet in Albania. Financial investigations must be stepped up, as well as final convictions and final confiscations of illegal assets, said the Ambassador of the European Union in Tirana Luigi Soreca during the conference “Challenges and opportunities in fighting corruption an fostering integrity”. Ending impunity for high corruption is key in building back trust in society and a sound business climate attracting investment. To get there the “follow the money” approach is crucial to crack down on corruption and dismantle organized crime”, noted Luigi Soreca. Since 2020, the EU has supported Albania with EUR 60 million to expand the capacity of important structures in the fight against corruption. Albania is not alone in this fight. The EU and its Member States, as well as international partners, starting by the US, are close to you”, noted Luigi Soreca, quoted by BGNES.

Greece attempts to boost vaccination rates

“Greece’s economy would not close again because of the coronavirus pandemic if it was just to protect an unvaccinated minority”, Greece’s Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview for Reuters. “Greece has been easing restrictions as infections fall, but concerns are rising about the spread of the more infectious Delta variant”, wrote Reuters. Nearly 38% of the 11 million population is fully vaccinated. A research conducted by the Greek agency Pulse indicates that 40% of the people who have not received vaccine do not intend to get inoculated against Covid-19. That is why the government has offered young people cash and phone data to boost vaccination rates.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov

English version: Kostadin Atanasov