News

Thousands of illegal immigrants will be allowed to stay and work in Poland under an amnesty unveiled on Thursday that highlights the country's transformation into a regional economic powerhouse from communist-era basket case.

Poland said Wednesday it would grant free visas to citizens of neighbouring Belarus, but reserve the right to block anyone tied to a crackdown on opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko.

Turkey is waiting for Ukraine's response on visa liberalisation.

The Czech Embassy calls on the Ukrainian authorities to do something with swindlers that run up nearby the consulate. Otherwise, the Czech Republic may suspend the work of its consulate in Kyiv

Hundreds of Albanians and Bosnians on December, 15 headed with enthusiasm towards western Europe Wednesday, on the first day of authorized visa-free travel to the Schengen area.

Croatia took a significant step towards concluding its EU accession process by closing three more negotiating chapters during a recent enlargement conference in Brussels.

Montenegro is the sixth European country to receive candidate status following the adoption of this year's enlargement package by EU member states. Candidacy was awarded based on previous annual progress reports presented by the European Commission.

France and Germany sent a joint letter to the EU on Tuesday (21 December) describing Bulgaria and Romania's entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area in March as "premature" and urging more progress in the fight against corruption and organised crime. The move was slammed as "an act of discrimination" by Bucharest.

Chisinau, 17 December - Prime Minister Vlad Filat held a news briefing on the results of his visit to Brussels, the government's communications and press relations department has said.

The EU has partly lifted its objection to Russia joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at a summit on Tuesday (7 December), eight days before Russian courts give their verdict in the Khodorkhovsky trial in a process described by the US as "lipstick on a political pig.