I. EU says euro-zone jobless to hit postwar record
Only one of the EU's 27 states — Cyprus — may see economic growth this year. Double-digit declines will hit countries suffering from a collapsed housing market — including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
II. Papandreou decries illegal migration flow
Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou on Saturday toured the tiny Agathonissi islet in the eastern Aegean, Greek and EU territory that has found itself in the middle of one of the preferred routes for illegal migrants trying to enter the Union from the opposite Turkish coasts.
III. Cyprus President: Turkey responsible for destruction of religious heritage
A large part of Cyprus’ cultural heritage, some of which has been listed by UNESCO, continues to be under Turkish occupation since 1974. Many archaeological sites in occupied Cyprus have been abandoned, neglected or destroyed.
IV. Post-2004 EU enlargement is a hard grind for Olli Rehn
Regarding Kosovo, I’d say it’s rash to call its status settled when two-thirds of the world’s countries, including five EU member-states, have refused to recognise the ex-Serbian province’s declaration of independence last year. Ask high-ranking European policymakers to bet money on whether Kosovo will be a sovereign state 50 years from now, and you do not get many takers. This goal is also only 20 per cent met.
V. Gjelosh Krasniqi found guilty for war crimes
A court Wednesday sentenced a former Kosovo Albanian rebel to seven years in prison for war crimes committed in 1998-99 conflict, an official said.
VI. U.S. says ready to cut nuclear missiles in Russia deal
Russia has said any agreement must limit both warheads and all types of nuclear weapons delivery vehicles -- the actual rockets and other means that deliver nuclear weapons -- but Washington's position had been unclear.
VII. NATO secretary general says military exercises in Georgia not to be canceled
NATO will not cancel the military exercises in Georgia scheduled for May 6 to June 1, which has caused Russia's strong opposition, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said during his visit in Finland on Monday.