Politics of the European Union

A wooden sailboat carrying dozens of immigrants ran aground on April 20 off the coast of the Greek island of Rhodes and at least three people, including a child, have drowned, the Greek coast guard said.

It is unclear how or why a boat carrying migrants ran ashore.

Joining the eurozone could be Romania's next major country project, the aim after this move being for the Romanians' living standards to get in line with those of the eurozone citizens, head of the European Commission's Representation to Romania Angela Filote told a press conference.

Photo credit: (c) Angelo BREZOIANU / AGERPRES PHOTO

"Full investigation into EULEX corruption claims needed"

EP Rapporteur for Kosovo Ulrike Lunacek has said that a report that found no evidence of corruption in EU's mission in Kosovo, EULEX, "is only the first step."

The Austrian MEP called for "a full investigation into the work of the EU rule of law mission."

Government sources responded to a Financial Times report on Monday titled "Greece prepares for debt default if talks with creditors fail." Sources stated "we will let them down once again" adding that Greece is not preparing for default.

European Union Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis admitted on Monday that technical negotiations with Greece over its bailout program are ?very complicated? and that much ground needs to be covered before the April 24 Eurogroup.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bogdan Aurescu participates this Monday, in Barcelona, in the informal ministerial Conference joining EU Foreign Ministers and their counterparts from Southern European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) partner countries.

Photo credit: (c) Angelo BREZOIANU / AGERPRES ARCHIVE

By Nikos Konstandaras

BRUSSELS - Statements of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Kosovo Foreign Minister Hasim Taci on unification are unacceptable provocations and are not in line with the policy of cooperation in the region, Spokesperson of the European Commission Maja Kocijancic stated.

Greek officials and euro-area technical experts yesterday discussed an updated list of reform proposals but were unable to reach an agreement that would pave the way for Greece ending its liquidity shortage by receiving at least part of the 7.2 billion euros remaining in bailout funding.

The EU warned March 30 that Greece and its creditors had yet to hammer out a new list of reforms despite talks lasting all weekend aimed at staving off bankruptcy and a euro exit.
      
"We're not there yet," European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters when asked about the progress of the talks.