e Yugoslavia

Berlin - German politicians Tuesday urged Barack Obama not to call for greater troop contributions from Europeans in Afghanistan when he outlines his plans for US foreign policy in a major speech in Berlin later this week.

Athens - A Greek court on Tuesday ruled a gay rights group can use the name Lesbian, saying people from the Aegean island of Lesbos did not have sole claim to the name.

Spanish police dismantled the most active cell of the militant Basque separatist group ETA on Tuesday, detaining at least nine people, police said.

The European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner stated yesterday that a “stable, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo” has a European perspective.

Brussels: The European Commissioner Olli Rehn stated on May 29 that the issue of recognizing Kosovo is in the hands of EU member states. Rehn made the statement in response to some ministers’ claims that by raising the flag of a self-proclaimed “independent Kosovo,” the EP had recognized Kosovo as an independent state.

Brussels: The European Union stated yesterday that the text of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), signed by the Serbian government and EU officials, cannot be altered at all. The officials of the EU Council of Ministers and the European Commission in Brussels reiterated that such a step would require new negotiations.

The UNMIK Chief Joachim Ruecker stated yesterday that UNMIK will adjust to any kind of situation after June 15, when EULEX is to overtake the power in Kosovo.

Brussels: The European Union has approved a revaluation of the Slovak national currency, the koruna, by almost 18 per cent, shortly before EU member states are set to decide on whether or not Slovakia should join the euro next year.

Brussels: The European Parliament (EP) in Brussels on Wednesday witnessed the Kosovo delegation appearing in EP under the flag of “independent Kosovo”. This was the first time this flag was officially hoisted at one of the EU institutions.

Brussels: Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini yesterday stated that EULEX, the EU Mission will be deployed in Kosovo by the fall.