KOSOVO: Romania ‘Schizophrenic’ Over Independence

Leaders of Romania, one of the European Union (EU) members not ready to recognise declaration of independence by Kosovo, are having a hard time justifying their opposition to birth of the new state.

ROMANIA: Communist Agents Get the Upper Hand

The Constitutional Court has halted the activities of the National Council for the Study of the Securitate Archives (CNSAS), the institution responsible for tracking collaborators with the former communist secret services.

ROMANIA: Powerless in the New Cold War

With new Cold War rhetoric emerging all around, Romania and Bulgaria are more uncertain than ever about their foreign policy.

ROMANIA: Not Ready To Live Green

A simple architectural solution could ease housing and environmental problems in Romania and beyond.

BULGARIA: On To A New Nuclear Path

The European Commission (EC) has given a positive opinion on construction of a nuclear plant at Belene by Russian Atomstroiexport, controlled by Gazprom.

ROMANIA: Fighting for the ‘Right’ to More Emissions

Following the example of seven other countries from Central and Eastern Europe that joined the European Union (EU) in 2004, Romania and Bulgaria, the newest members, have sued the European Commission (EC) for lowering their national caps for carbon dioxide emissions.

CHALLENGES 2007-2008: Still Outsiders After a Year in EU

Bulgaria and Romania joined the European Union (EU) Jan. 1 2007 under the toughest conditions ever imposed on new member states. Although the two countries barely met the criteria for membership, their strategic location, between the Western Balkans and the Black Sea, as well as their relatively trouble-free domestic politics, made them an asset for the stability of EU's eastern front.

BULGARIA: Street Barricades Fail to Save Nature

When the Bulgarian Parliament adopted the final list of nature sites to be protected, it excluded precisely those areas that are most spectacular, and most interesting for tourism developers.

ROMANIA-BULGARIA: New MEPs Change Face of EU Parliament

Half a year after Bulgaria elected its representatives to the European Parliament (EP), Romania has voted in its first European elections. The vote in Romania marked a defeat of populist forces and coincided with the collapse of the far- right block in the EP.

ROMANIA: Murder Brings Fear to Italy

The murder of Italian Giovanna Reggiani by Romanian Nicolae Mailat has led the Italian government to pass a law allowing for expulsion of European Union (EU) citizens considered a threat to public security.

MOLDOVA: Peace Plan Fails to Fit Russian Agenda

Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin has been promoting what he calls a new plan for the resolution of the status of Transdniester. But the separatist government in Tiraspol and its strong ally, Moscow, are not willing to discuss it for the moment.

BULGARIA: Teachers Launch Unprecedented Strike

Bulgarian teachers are starting the sixth week of general strike after rejecting a final offer made by the government before it went on to adopt next year's budget.

ROMANIA: When a President Discriminates

Twice this year, the Romanian National Anti-Discrimination Council has had to issue judgments about problematic statements made by President Traian Basescu. In one of the instances, the Council declared the head of state guilty of discrimination against the Roma.

BULGARIA: Luxury Hotels Coming Up in National Parks

Bulgarian Prime Minister Serghei Stanishev and former premier Simeon Saxe-Coburg attended a ceremony Tuesday marking the official start of a grandiose tourism project dubbed Super Borovits. An unusual show of political unity across party lines, it was meant to promote the tourism industry. But Super Borovits has been highly criticised for threatening nature.

ROMANIA: Villagers Resist a Corporation

"I never had money, I never wanted money, and I never will want money." "I fear no one but God." "I will not leave this place for as long as I live." Such statements, from a small yet determined core of inhabitants of Rosia Montana are indication that the Canadian corporation that wants to dig for gold here could get blocked by at least some people.

HEALTH-ROMANIA: Few Listen to the Deaf

Three million of Romania's 21 million people suffer from different types of hearing impairment. But only about 10 percent of them get proper help.

ROMANIA: GM Crops Unearthed, But Not Uprooted

Greenpeace has launched a major attack against production and marketing of genetically modified cereals in Romania.

MOLDOVA: Russia Holds On to Its Satellite

Moldova's Communist President has been trying to make the country more independent from both Russia and Romania. But Moscow's grip on the former Soviet republic remains strong.

BULGARIA: Roma Treated like Trash

Recent violent episodes involving Roma in Bulgaria emphasise the deep prejudice against this ethnic group, as well as politicians' intention to turn anti-Roma feelings into electoral gains.

ROMANIA: Pigs Come in the EU Way

Romania was hoping to put an end this year to a ban on pork exports to the European Union (EU), but several swine pest outbreaks at the farms of U.S. company Smithfield will cause the interdiction to be prolonged for at least two more years.

ROMANIA: Culture Capital Is Another World

Sibiu, one of the most dynamic regions in Romania, thrives as the European City of Culture for 2007. But its prosperity is not representative of the entire country.