Brussels

Agreement on judiciary is not enough - EP official

BELGRADE -- European Parliament Rapporteur on Serbia David McAllister welcomed on Wednesday the agreement on judiciary that Belgrade and Pristina reached on February 9.

However, he added that it was not sufficient to open the chapters in Serbia's EU accession talks as there are many topics that have not yet been addressed.

The euro working group (EWG) of finance officials will meet in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a Greek request for a loan extension, Kathimerini understands.

Athens is expected to submit the request earlier Thursday.

Greece will submit its request for a six- month loan extension to the euro-area Thursday, a day later than originally planned, according to a government official.

BELGRADE - European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur on Serbia David McAllister has arrived in Belgrade, where he will stay for a few days and hold meetings with senior government officials and representatives of the opposition and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

EU: Serbian steel mill "must not receive govt. assistance"

BRUSSELS -- The EU is ready to talk with the Serbian government concerning the restructuring of Zelezara Smederevo steel mill, Tanjug said it learned from a spokesperson.

Greece offered to accept conditions on an extension to its loan agreements with the eurozone, and even an inspection by the European Commission, at a fraught meeting in Brussels on Monday, documents released by Athens showed.

An interview of Novinite with Kosovo's Foreign Minister Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci following the anniversary of Kosovo's independence which was proclaimed in 2008.

Thaci, who was the first Kosovo politician to head the government after Pristina declared independence, gives his account on the past seven years' developments in his country.

Unclear if EU chapters will be opened this year

BELGRADE -- After the Kosovo talks resumed, the question remains if it is realistic to expect Serbia will this year open some chapters in its EU membership negotiations.

Government forces started pulling out of a town in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday after a fierce assault by Russian-backed separatists which Europe said violated a crumbling ceasefire.
    

European stocks advanced amid investor speculation that Greece and its euro-area creditors may reach a compromise agreement on its bailout.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index added 0.3 percent to 378.14 at 8:05 a.m. in London. Stocks were little changed on Tuesday as a rise in makers of food and drinks offset a drop in Greek equities.