European Parliament

European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi on Monday called on the cash-strapped Greek government to make the “first move” in rapprochement with creditors.

“While all actors have to go the extra mile, the ball lies firmly with the Greek government,” he told the European Parliament’s committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz told a national television audience in Germany on Sunday evening that he called Chancellor Angela Merkel earlier, with both agreeing to do whatever they can to keep Greece in the Eurozone.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias is due to meet in Athens at noon on Monday with the UN Secretary General?s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

The meeting comes three days after Kotzias met his Cypriot counterpart Ioannis Kasoulides, also in Athens.

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev was reelected as President of the Party of the European Socialists (PES) on Friday.

Stanishev, who will serve as leader for another term of two and half years, was reelected at the tenth congress of the party, which is taking place in Budapest.

The European parliament (EP) has adopted a non-binding resolution asking for sanctions targeting Russia to be extended.

The reason is the country's "actions in the conflict in Ukraine." The resolution, passed on Thursday, also calls for "unity in opposing Moscow's policy."

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev warned on Thursday that Bulgaria will be the most affected country in the event of a Greek default and deepening of the sovereign debt crisis.

There were signs on Thursday that SYRIZA officials are preparing their party colleagues and the public for the possibility that the government will have to sign up to an agreement with lenders that will not be looked upon favorably by some MPs and voters.

The European Parliament adopted on Wednesday a non-legislative resolution, which deems that Russia is no longer a strategic partner of the EU.

The resolution also called on the EU to critically re-assess its relations with Russia and devise a soft-power plan to counter Moscow's aggressive and divisive policies.

The European Parliament adopted a non-legislative resolution on Thursday calling on FIFA to select an interim president to replace the incumbent Sepp Blatter.

The Parliament notes that the recent corruption allegations have seriously damaged the credibility and the integrity of international football.

Ankara will return the European Parliament (EP) report on Turkey, the European Union affairs minister said. 

"We don't accept the report and will return it," Volkan Bozk?r told reporters on June 10.

The Foreign Ministry also stated that the EP reports is one of the most "unfortunate" decisions taken by the body.