Serbia won't impose Russia sanctions, but it stays committed to its EU path

Belgrade, 15 November 2014 (MIA) - Serbia's PM Aleksandar Vucic reiterated on Saturday that Serbia would not impose sanctions against Russia.

"Serbia has a government that reaches decision independently in compliance with the interests of the country," stated Vucic.

"We are on EU path, but Serbia's policy hasn't been suddenly changed," the Premier stated commenting a statement by the new EU Commissioner for Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.

Yesterday, the EU Commissioner urged Serbia to align itself with EU's foreign policy and decisions and impose sanctions against Russia.

Johannes Hahn will pay his first official visit to Serbia on Nov. 20.

On the eve of his visit, Hahn in Brussels said he understood the fact that "Serbia has its own history and relations with Russia, but at a certain point it has to align its policy with the EU's foreign policy and decisions."

Serbia hopes to join the EU in 2020. ba/15:54

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Romanians choose between a prime minister and a city mayor in presidential runoff

Bucharest, 16 November 2014 (MIA) - A prime minister who has promised stability and a city mayor who has vowed to fight corruption squared off in Romania's presidential runoff election on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of Romanians living overseas hope it will be easier for them to cast ballots than it was during the Nov. 2 election that led to the runoff, AP reports.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta was favored on Sunday over the mayor of the city of Sibiu, Klaus Iohannis. Ponta led by 10 percentage points in the Nov. 2 vote, and corruption probes of senior Ponta aides appeared not to have dented the 42-year-old former prosecutor's chances.

Iohannis, 55, has promised an independent justice system if he becomes president.

Election results are expected Monday, and the winner will replace President Traian Basescu, who is stepping down after 10 years in office.

In Romania, the president is in charge of foreign policy and defense, and names key prosecutors and the chiefs of intelligence services.

After casting his ballot in Bucharest on Sunday, Ponta said: "I voted so that all mothers and our grandparents can live in a better country. ... I voted so that all children have a better future here in Romania."

Romanians living overseas must vote at polling stations in the countries where they are living, and thousands of expats protested after they had to stand in line for hours in cities such as Paris, London, Munich during the first round. Some were unable to vote.

The government says it has improved the voting procedure this time at facilities such as Romanian embassies.

Many expats are believed to oppose Romania's center-left government.