Romania prepares to take loan to finance increased defence spending

Despite the uncertain outcome of the upcoming presidential elections in Romania on May 4 and 18, interim head of state Ilie Bolojan announced an increase in the country's defence spending. At a meeting of the Supreme National Defence Council broadcast on Romanian television, Bolojan announced that a working group has been formed to prepare Romania's application for access to a loan provided by the European Commission for additional defence spending.

"This is a favourable loan and will be repaid over 40 years, with a 10-year grace period. This way, Romania will be able to improve its military capabilities by 2030 without putting pressure on the national budget," Bolojan pointed out. He also said that the project for a new bridge over the Danube River to Bulgaria along the north-south axis is also part of the defence plans.

Albania, Montenegro and Turkey integrate into the Three Seas Initiative

"The Three Seas regional cooperation format will expand with Montenegro and Albania. The two Balkan countries are joining as associate members, while Turkey and Spain will join as strategic partners," Polish President Andrzej Duda announced ahead of the initiative's 10th annual meeting held in Warsaw, TVP World reported. The Three Seas Initiative is a platform for cooperation between countries located between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Sea.

"Montenegro will be accepted as an associate member of the Three Seas Initiative and will receive full membership after joining the EU," Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović announced on his "X" profile. "This is another step forward on our European path," Milatović wrote.

Kosovo and Albania ease border control for their citizens

For the second year, border control for checking ID cards between Albania and Kosovo has been lifted for their citizens from May 1 to September 30, Kosovo and Albanian media reported. The agreement concerns the Morina-Vërmica border crossing. There will be a fast crossing regime for 9 months of the year, the Alfapres news portal notes. The easing of border crossing procedures for cars with Kosovo and Albanian registrations was due to the high number of Kosovo citizens visiting Albania to spend their summer holidays there. In addition to the period from May 1 to September 30, under the agreement, border controls between the two countries will not be carried out from November 1 to February 28, Radio Televizioni i Kosovës recalls.

Greek MP is concerned that Greeks are buying fuel in Bulgaria in large quantities

Greek MP from Northern Greece Ilhan Ahmet from the PASOK party has submitted a question to Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos and insisted on the introduction of a "citizen’s card" to limit the mass purchase of fuel from Bulgaria, Radio Kardzhali reports.

The proposal, which is being discussed for the third time in the past 5 years, aims to create a special price regime for the Rhodope and Northern Evros regions. The aim is to protect local gas stations from cheaper Bulgarian fuel, improve state treasury revenues and stimulate the local economy. To encourage local purchases, Ahmet proposes to refund part of the fuel excise tax for permanent residents through a digital verification system using a QR code at Greek gas stations.

EU Commissioner Kos warns Serbian president not to go to Moscow on May 9

Serbia's European path will stop if the government does not work for reforms, especially in the field of free media and free elections. This was stated by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos during a visit to Dr. Zoran Djindjic Foundation, Danas reported.

"The decision whether to go to Moscow depends on the Serbian president, but if he goes, I will have a much more difficult task to help Serbia stay firmly on its European path," she said in Belgrade, Radio Free Europa reported. This is how the EU Commissioner reacted to President Aleksandar Vučić's statement that he would attend the Victory Day parade on May 9 and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. "May 9, 1945 and May 9, 2025 are two dates with different values," Kos said.

Compiled by: Ivo Ivanov

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: glsa.ro, presidency.ro, prezydent.pl, aa.com.tr, Facebook/ Ilhan Ahmet, apnews.com