Switzerland and Romania talk cooperation

Switzerland hopes to conclude negotiations on extending a labour deal to Romania within the next few months, says Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey. Speaking after meeting her Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu on Tuesday, Calmy-Rey said voters could have the final say on the agreement if the accord was contested. Romania, which joined the European Union at the beginning of the year alongside Bulgaria, is Switzerland's main trading partner in southeastern Europe. Non-EU member Switzerland has gradually opened its labour market under a bilateral accord with Brussels.

Ex foreign minister will head Romania's foreign intelligence service

The Romanian Parliament on Wednesday approved former Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu as head of the country's foreign intelligence service.

Ungureanu served was forced to resign as foreign minister in April after he failed to inform Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu that two Romanians had been arrested in Iraq by U.S. troops. His nomination as head of Romania's foreign intelligence service was made by President Traian Basescu, in November.

Ungureanu, 39, is a historian by training and known for a pro-American stance. In 2005 he signed a 10-year agreement with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to set up U.S. bases on Romanian soil.

Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia Recommended for Ski Holidays

The eastern European destinations of Bulgaria, Slovenia and Romania have been recommended to British tourists looking for a bargain ski holiday.

Bulgaria's Borovets resort is the cheapest ski holiday destination, with prices for equipment and accommodation half of what travellers would find in Vail, Colorado, according to Post Office Travel Services.

Poiana Brasov in Romania and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia were also found to be "significantly cheaper" than well-known resorts in Switzerland, France and Austria.

Helen Warburton, head of travel services at Post Office, warned, however, that price is not the only thing people think about when planning a ski holiday.

"It's important for ski holidaymakers to pick a resort that suits their expertise and matches their expectations," she said.

"For those people and for bargain hunters, Bulgaria and Romania represent excellent value."

However, those wanting to travel further afield can always try Canada, where resorts such as Whistler regularly entice all types of winter sports lovers.

The news comes after the Association of British Travel Agents reported that France had overtaken Austria as the most popular skiing destination in Europe.