Luxembourg - European Union foreign ministers Monday told France and three other eurozone members they have six months to explain how they intend to put their public finances in order.
Britain, which does not use the common European currency, was also given until October 27 to "take corrective action" aimed at reducing its budget deficit.
Luxembourg - Three European Union foreign ministers are planning an urgent mission to Sri Lanka amidst concerns for the safety of civilians trapped by the fighting, diplomats announced on Monday as the bloc called for an immediate ceasefire.
The foreign ministers of Britain, France and Sweden, David Miliband, Bernard Kouchner and Carl Bildt respectively, are to fly to the embattled country on Wednesday in a bid to win safety for civilians caught between government and rebel forces.
Luxembourg - European Union foreign ministers on Monday extended the bloc's sanctions against Myanmar and its military junta until April 2010, calling for a new commitment to democracy in the country.
The 27-member EU currently has an arms embargo, trade restrictions and visa bans on Myanmar's leaders.
Luxembourg - Slovenia resisted European Union pressure on Monday to give immediate backing to a plan aimed at easing Croatia's EU membership path, officials at a meeting of EU foreign ministers said.
Slovenia has been blocking Croatia's EU bid in a row over the two neighbours' maritime border.
Last week EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn proposed a compromise which would see the two countries nominate five judges tasked with solving the problem. Croatia and many EU member states welcomed the proposal.
Luxembourg - The European Union and Egypt hope to forge a stronger relationship within a year, diplomats said Monday after the EU approved Egypt's request for an enhanced partnership. "Enhancing the relations means you work with the EU and you put the relations on a higher level, the maximum you can attain without acquiring membership," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told journalists after talks with EU counterparts in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg - The European Union faced an embarrassing split on Monday over the question of whether or not to upgrade the bloc's relationship with Israel, as officials from the bloc's political leadership and executive traded accusations. The row pits the EU's foreign affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, against the current head of the council of EU member states, outgoing Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
Luxembourg - European Union foreign ministers Monday told France and three other eurozone members they have six months to explain how they intend to put their public finances in order.
Luxembourg - Three European Union foreign ministers are planning an urgent mission to Sri Lanka amidst concerns for the safety of civilians trapped by the fighting, diplomats announced on Monday as the bloc called for an immediate ceasefire.
Luxembourg - European Union foreign ministers on Monday extended the bloc's sanctions against Myanmar and its military junta until April 2010, calling for a new commitment to democracy in the country.
Luxembourg - Slovenia resisted European Union pressure on Monday to give immediate backing to a plan aimed at easing Croatia's EU membership path, officials at a meeting of EU foreign ministers said.
Luxembourg - The European Union and Egypt hope to forge a stronger relationship within a year, diplomats said Monday after the EU approved Egypt's request for an enhanced partnership. "Enhancing the relations means you work with the EU and you put the relations on a higher level, the maximum you can attain without acquiring membership," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit told journalists after talks with EU counterparts in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg - The European Union faced an embarrassing split on Monday over the question of whether or not to upgrade the bloc's relationship with Israel, as officials from the bloc's political leadership and executive traded accusations. The row pits the EU's foreign affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, against the current head of the council of EU member states, outgoing Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.
