Ansa news

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 21 - "In terms of security, it is more important than ever to maintain our focus on Ukraine. Our European security and independence are dependent on what happens next. Nearly four years have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. Peace talks are ongoing, and we acknowledge the United States' efforts in this regard," said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in the Strasbourg Chamber during the debate on the EU Council conclusions. "However, as these efforts…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 21 - After his surprise decision to resign, which he announced in a live address to the nation, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has announced that he will run in the early elections scheduled for spring. He hopes to be a decisive political factor, thanks to his popularity in the country. Radev's move is unprecedented in the history of the Balkan country. His duties will be carried out by Vice President Iliana Yotova. Last week, Radev had to acknowledge the country's ungovernability…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 21 - Slovenia is "working very seriously" on joining South Africa's genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said this week, following media reports that the government will discuss the matter this week, according to STA. Fajon confirmed that her ministry had drawn up a proposal to join, but said several more steps would need to be agreed upon first. She said the final decision would be made by the government.…

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 20 GEN - Barcolana presented an award to the owner and crew of the first German boat to reach the finish line of the 2025 Autumn Cup during Boot Düsseldorf, the boating trade fair in which Barcolana takes part together with Friuli Venezia Giulia Turismo and the FVG Marinas Network. The 2025 ADAC Trophy was won by Calabash (Elbe Regatta Club), skippered by Michael Schmidt. "Barcolana," said Dean Bassi, vice president of the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano, "takes part every…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 20 - The European Parliament has activated the emergency procedure for the proposed €90 billion loan to Ukraine, which will be voted on as early as February's plenary session. By a show of hands, MEPs approved the package's accelerated procedure, which includes a joint debt-financed loan to Kyiv guaranteed by the EU budget. The emergency procedure for enhanced cooperation was also approved, allowing 24 member states—excluding the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia—to…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 20 - Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on X that Tirana will join the Peace Board proposed by US President Donald Trump, as soon as the Albanian Parliament approves the proposal. Rama addressed Trump directly in the message, thanking him "for the invitation to serve as a founding member," and expressing his "deepest appreciation for your strong commitment and visionary leadership." (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 20 - Slovenian Minister of Culture Asta Vrečko and festival director Nicoletta Romeo celebrated the 37th edition of the Trieste Film Festival, highlighting the success of cultural cooperation between Slovenia and Italy. On this occasion, the Slovenian Film Centre was praised for its strategic role in promoting Slovenian cinema at the Trieste showcase. The partnership, it was emphasised, also confirmed the Trieste Film Festival's role as a bridge between countries, as well…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 20 - The ZEW index of German investor expectations increased to 59.6 points in January, from 45.8 in December. This figure exceeds economists' expectations of 50 points. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 20 - In Germany, 29% of students had a migrant background in 2024. This category includes those who were not born in the country or have at least one parent with a migrant background. This is a significant figure because it exceeds the overall percentage of migrants in German society, which is 26%. Among teachers, the percentage falls to 11 percent. In both cases, there is significant growth: in 2019, the percentage among students was 26%, representing a 2% increase, and among…

(ANSA) - TRIESTE, JAN 19 - A delegation from Confindustria Alto Adriatico visited the Krško (Slovenia) nuclear power plant today, organized by the Association's Energy Consortium with the Regional Economic Union of Slovenia. "The initiative," said CAA President Michelangelo Agrusti, "is part of a broader project we have launched to encourage the integration of companies in the area into highly complex supply chains through qualification and certification paths consistent with the standards required…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 19 - Mol and Gazpromneft have agreed on the basic terms of a future purchase agreement for Serbia's NIS, which can now ask Washington to lift its sanctions. The announcement was made by Serbian Minister of Mines and Energy Dubravka Djedovich Handanovich, who also stated that the Serbian government was able to secure a 5% increase in the state's stake in the Serbian oil company, which had previously been less than 30%. NIS is subject to US sanctions due to Russia's majority…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 19 - Annual inflation in the eurozone fell to 1.9% in December, down from 2.1% in November, according to Eurostat estimates, which were revised down from the initial flash estimate of 2% for December. In the European Union, the rate rose to 2.3% from 2.4% in November. The lowest annual rates were found in Cyprus (0.1%), France (0.7%), and Italy (1.2%). The highest annual rates were found in Romania (8.6%), Slovakia (4.1%), and Estonia (4.0%). (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 19 - "We won't be blackmailed" and "there will be a clear and united response from Europe, we are preparing countermeasures agreed upon with our European partners," German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said in a joint statement with his French counterpart Roland Lescure in Berlin, in response to Donald Trump's tariff threats. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 19 - A volunteer fundraising platform in Poland has raised more than 2.4 million zlotys (approximately $660,000) to buy generators for Kiev, organisers announced, as Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue due to the harsh winter. The Kyiv Independent reported the news. The fundraiser, called "Heat from Poland for Kiev," initially aimed to raise 400,000 zlotys ($110,000) for the purchase of generators. After quickly reaching that goal, organisers increased…

(ANSA) - VILNIUS, JAN 18 - "If anyone wants to dialogue with Russia as they did before the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the result will be very bad. With Russia you have to dialogue with force. And this tool is in the hands of Europe: we need a 20th sanctions package and full recognition of the responsibility of the Russian political leadership for the crimes committed in Ukraine." This was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys. "Not dialogue, but increasing pressure…

(ANSA) - ZAGABRIA, JAN 18 - "Allies within NATO must respect each other and take into account the fact that Greenland is part of Denmark. Therefore, we express solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland." This was stated by the Croatian government in a note released today. Zagreb also reiterates its opposition to the imposition of any additional duties that could undermine the balance of trade relations between the EU and the United States and weaken the transatlantic partnership in a context…

(ANSA) - UDINE, JAN 18 - "Fiume or Death!", is the documentary awarded in Berlin at the 38th European Film Awards, the Oscars of European cinema. The work is supported, among others, by the Fondo per l'Audiovisivo del Fvg. This was announced by the same Fund in a note specifying that the documentary, directed by Igor Bezinović, is produced by Erica Barbiani and Lucia Candelpergher for Friuli-based Videomante and that it won in the European Documentary category. The documentary deals with a particular…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 16 - Slovenian police handled 28,200 cases of illegal border crossings last year, a decrease of nearly 40% from 46,217 cases in 2024, according to Slovenian news agency STA. This was also the lowest figure in the past four years, STA noted. The most common countries of origin for migrants identified in Slovenia were Afghanistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Morocco. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 16 - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet with US President Donald Trump tomorrow at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to strengthen bilateral relations. According to a Slovak government statement, the prime minister left for the United States yesterday afternoon. Today, he will meet with US Secretary of Energy Christopher A. Wright in Washington and then participate in the signing ceremony of a bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 16 - "The hope is to extend the Arctic Endurance mission" and make it "a NATO exercise," "so, in this sense, Germany and Italy are moving in the same direction," said German Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Michael Stumpfle at a press conference in Berlin, in response to a question about Italy's refusal to participate in the Greenland mission, which Germany and France are participating in. The spokesman emphasised that bilateral defence cooperation is "excellent." (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 16 - According to the Vatican Press Office bulletin, Pope Leo received the Slovenian bishops during their ad limina visit this morning. It was a private meeting with the country's bishops. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 16 - After years of negotiations, the Global Ocean Treaty, a United Nations international agreement aimed at protecting the high seas, or ocean areas that do not belong to any state (roughly 60% of the world's oceans), will go into effect tomorrow, January 17. Greenpeace recalls this in a statement, noting that "to date, 81 countries have ratified it, including France, China, Cuba, and Greece, but Italy is not one of them," and thus calls on the government to join. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 15 - During a visit to Belgrade, Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Petar Szijjarto assured Serbian Minister of Mines and Energy Dubravka Djedovič Handanovic that negotiations to sell Gazprom's majority stake in Serbia's NIS, which is under US sanctions due to its Russian controlling interest, are progressing well and the first concrete step is expected in the coming days.nis ga According to the Tanjug agency, citing the Hungarian minister, the Pančevo refinery, the only…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 15 - Authorities detected only 12.525 irregular borders crossing the EU's external borders along the Balkan Route in 2025, a 42% decrease from 2024, according to new Frontex data released today. The decrease, Frontex explained, is due to increased security measures and close collaboration with Frontex. Frontex is present in the region and launched a new joint operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in November 2025 to strengthen operational support on the ground. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 15 - The final hearings in the trial of 24 former migrant rescue volunteers, accused of participating in a criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and aiding and abetting irregular entry, began this morning at the Court of Appeal on the Greek island of Lesbos in the northeastern Aegean. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison. According to ANSA, the trial is expected to conclude tomorrow. (ANSA).

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 15 - In Germany, GDP increased by 0.2% in 2025 over the previous year. Ruth Brand, President of the German Federal Statistical Office, stated that gross domestic product increased by 0.3% after accounting for calendar effects. "After two years of recession, the economy has returned to slight growth, owing primarily to the fact that households resumed consumption in 2025. This growth is primarily the result of increased consumer spending by households and the government. Exports,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 15 - "The euro zone economy demonstrates resilience despite the challenging international environment," and after a 0.3% GDP increase in the fourth quarter of 2025, "this growth pattern, driven by services, is likely to continue in the short term," the ECB wrote in its economic bulletin. The Bank noted also the expansion of services in particular, while industry and construction activity remained flat, and the boost to GDP from consumption, thanks to the "robust" labour market.…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 14 - Bulgaria is getting closer to yet another snap election. Following the rejection of outgoing Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov, the liberals of "Continue the Change" (PP), parliament's second-largest political force and currently in opposition, immediately returned to President Rumen Radev the mandate he had just given them to try to form a governing majority, as required by the constitution. The outcome was predictable and foretold. After returning her mandate, PP member…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 14 - "The German Federal Army does not tolerate sexual violence, extremism, drug abuse, or discrimination. Soldiers who tolerate such behaviour may be barred from holding command positions in our army," said Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer, Germany's highest military authority, at a press conference held during a meeting of the Bundestag's Defence Committee. The meeting focused on the scandal involving the army's paratrooper unit, which included anti-Semitism,…

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JAN 14 - With less than three months until the election, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is trailing opposition leader Peter Magyar in polls. According to the most recent poll by polling institute Median, published in the weekly HVG, Tisza's party leads with 51% of voting intentions, compared to 39% for Fidesz. The opposition now leads by two percentage points, up from two months ago. However, the research institute reports that 44% of respondents believe Fidesz will win,…