European Commission

Greece's state statistics agency on Nov. 27 drastically revised downwards the economy's third-quarter contraction to 0.9 percent, from 0.5 percent previously.

Russia's plans to extend its gas link to Germany run counter to European Union interests and risk further destabilizing Ukraine, 10 European governments said in a letter to the European Commission that called for a summit-level debate on the issue.

A 1953 novel by Ray Bradbury, one of the most prolific science fiction writers of American literature, titled "Fahrenheit 451" was filmed by François Truffaut in 1966. The book and the film depict a "civilization" where the burning of books and hating books are the most important values. 

A Brussels mosque located close to the headquarters of the European Commission was evacuated after envelopes containing white powder were found.

A decontamination unit from the Laboratory for Civil Protection was deployed after the discovery of the powder which later turned out to be flour.

A European Union draft document, which is expected to be released after a Nov. 29 meeting with Turkey and has been seen by daily Hürriyet, has set October 2016 as the target date for visa exemption for Turkish citizens. 

The European Union's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) was set to study the document on Nov. 26. 

Allies of Turkey urged for calm between Ankara and Moscow, after Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border on Nov. 24, citing airspace violations despite repeated warnings from the Turkish side. 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that Turkish information over the downed Russian jet's air space violation was correct, contrary to the Russian claims.

Prospects for a grand bargain between the European Union and Turkey to stem a flow of migrants into the continent are uncertain days before a summit on Nov. 29 meant to seal a deal and put fraying relations back on a firm footing, EU and Turkish officials said. 

“Political grandstanding” that equates refugees with terrorists only foments the hatred and disillusion that inspires those who join terrorist groups, argued many MEPs in Wednesday’s debate.

The European Commission is set to increase in 2016 its humanitarian funding for education in emergencies to 4% of the EU’s overall humanitarian budget. The commitment was championed earlier this year by EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, and has now found strong support from the European Parliament and EU Member States.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Nov. 25 that Russia may consider cancelling some important joint projects with Turkey after the downing of the Russian jet by Turkish F-16s near the Syrian border on Nov. 24, raising questions about the future of the countries' intimate economic and trade relations.