Marian Chiriac
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Romania and Bulgaria, both candidates for early European Union accession talks, have traded insults in the past week over what their media have called the "power war".
Bucharest lands in hot water with European Union after evidence of international adoption ban violations emerges.
With elections due in November, the authorities are reluctant to undertake job-cutting reforms.
Brussels may delay entry to Europe if Bucharest stalls on laws ensuring independence for judges.
The dispute between Moldova and its breakaway Transdniester region appears to be entering a new, more critical, phase.
Journalists at leading newspapers accuse their employers of editorial interference.
Voters have little belief in ambitious pledges of main players in upcoming election.
Fears are growing that a political logjam between the new president and the centre-left bloc in parliament will jeopardise much-needed reforms.
Bucharest, Belgrade and Zagreb sign up to the construction of an oil pipeline linking the Black Sea to Western Europe.
While the Bucharest authorities' controversial pro-US stance may help Romania to join NATO, it will also hurt its chances for a place within the EU.